How Georgia’s Panel of Physicians Works in Workers’ Compensation Cases (And What Rights Injured Employees Really Have)

David Garner

In Georgia, you usually do have to start with a doctor from your employer’s approved “panel of physicians” after a work injury. But that doesn’t mean your employer can choose any doctor they want, and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a doctor who isn’t helping you. When the panel isn’t valid—or isn’t posted at all—you may gain the right to choose your own doctor. Injured workers across West Georgia, including Dallas, Hiram, Carrollton, Douglasville, and Rome, often don’t realize how many rights they actually have.

At Garner Law Office, P.C. in Dallas, GA, we help workers understand their options and push back when employers or insurance companies try to limit care. Below is a clear, practical guide to how Georgia’s panel of physicians works and what you can do if you’re stuck with a doctor who isn’t listening.

What Is Georgia’s “Panel of Physicians”?

In Georgia workers’ compensation cases, employers are required to post a list—called a panel of physicians —that injured workers can choose their treating doctor from. This is supposed to give employees real choices while also giving employers some control over medical costs.

Your treating physician is extremely important. They control your referrals, your work restrictions, your disability status, and your long-term recovery. Choosing the right doctor can make or break your case.

What a Valid Panel Must Include

Georgia law has strict requirements for what a valid panel looks like. A proper panel must:

  • Contain at least six doctors
  • Include at least one orthopedic physician
  • Include one minority doctor(by specialty, not race—meaning someone outside the main specialties listed)
  • Not be dominated by occupational clinics
  • Be posted in a conspicuous location employees can easily access
  • Be explained to employees—your employer should tell you about your right to choose

If the panel is missing any of these elements, it may be invalid—and that gives the employee much more freedom.

If the Panel Is Not Properly Posted or Is Invalid

When an employer fails to post a panel, or the panel is defective, Georgia law allows injured employees to choose ANY doctor they reasonably want. That means you may be able to treat with your own physician or select a specialist outside the employer’s list.

This situation is more common than people think. We often see issues like:

  • Panels with fewer than six doctors
  • Lists made up only of urgent care or occupational clinics
  • Panels posted in break rooms that employees never use
  • Employers telling workers they “must” see a specific doctor

If you think the panel might not be valid, it’s worth having an attorney review it. The difference can greatly impact your treatment and the outcome of your claim.

Do You Have to See Your Employer’s Doctor?

Often, employers will send injured workers straight to a clinic they prefer. But you have rights:

  • You do not have to see the doctor your supervisor picks for you.
  • You can choose any doctor from the valid panel.
  • If the panel is invalid, you may have the right to select your own doctor.

Many West Georgia workers—from construction workers in Douglasville to warehouse employees in Carrollton—don’t realize they didn’t have to accept the employer’s “recommended” doctor in the first place.

When You Can Change Doctors

Georgia law allows one “free” change of physician from the same panel. After you choose your initial doctor, you may switch to another listed doctor one time without needing approval.

You may also be able to request:

  • A referral to a specialist
  • A change of physician due to ineffective treatment
  • A change if the insurer or employer interferes with your care

But never switch doctors without getting legal guidance first—an improper change can create delays or disputes in your case.

Common Traps Injured Workers Fall Into

At Garner Law Office, we routinely help workers who accidentally stepped into one of these common traps:

  • Believing they must see the employer’s preferred clinic —you often don’t
  • Letting the employer schedule their appointments —you should choose the doctor and make appointments yourself
  • Not realizing the panel is invalid
  • Assuming they can’t switch doctors
  • Not documenting pain or limitations, which leads to inaccurate reports

These mistakes can delay treatment, reduce benefits, or even cause a claim denial.

Learn More About Georgia Workers’ Compensation

For more detailed information, check out:

Stuck With a Doctor Who Isn’t Helping? Call Garner Law Office.

If you feel trapped with a doctor who isn’t listening, or if your employer’s panel seems suspicious, you don’t have to navigate this alone. At Garner Law Office, P.C. in Dallas, GA, we help injured workers across West Georgia—Carrollton, Douglasville, Rome, Hiram, Dallas, and beyond—understand their rights and get the medical care they deserve.

Call us today for a free case evaluation. We’re here to help you get the treatment and benefits you deserve.