Can I Change Doctors During a Personal Injury Case in Greenville, NC?

Greenville is a vibrant city with many activities to offer residents and visitors. The city’s downtown area is home to many shops, restaurants, businesses, and East Carolina University. Downtown Greenville is also the site of the Greenville Convention Center, which hosts various events throughout the year. The city is also home to numerous parks and recreation facilities, including the Greenville Zoo and the River Park North nature preserve. Greenville has something for everyone of all ages.

If you were injured in an accident in Greenville, you’re likely to have many questions. One question you might have is whether or not you can change doctors during your personal injury case. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is committed to helping people who the negligence of others has injured. It’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you choose the right doctor and ensure that your medical records are appropriately documented. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, contact us for a free consultation.

Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We serve clients throughout North Carolina, including Greenville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington.

The Importance of Seeking Medical Treatment After an Accident in Greenville, NC

If you are injured in an accident, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. This is true for many reasons.

Evidence For Your Personal Injury Claim 

One of the most important reasons to seek medical attention immediately after an accident is that it will provide evidence for your injury claim. When you see a doctor, they will document your injuries and how they were caused by the accident. This documentation can be used as evidence in your case and ensure your right to get your medical bills paid.

Getting the Treatment You Need

Another reason to seek medical attention after an accident is that you may need treatment for your injuries. Some injuries, such as broken bones, require immediate medical attention. Other injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent but can still cause severe pain and discomfort. By seeing a doctor, you can get the treatment you need to help you recover from your injuries.

Reasons You May Want to Switch Doctors

There are a few reasons why you may want to switch doctors after an accident.

  1. You are not getting the medical care you need from your current doctor. If your injuries are not properly treated, they can impact your recovery and even worsen your injuries.
  2. You are not comfortable with your current doctor. As we mentioned, choosing a doctor you feel comfortable with is important. If you do not feel comfortable with your current doctor, it may be in your best interest to switch to another one.
  3. Your current doctor is unfamiliar with the type of injury you’ve sustained. If your doctor is not familiar with your particular injury, they may not be able to provide the best possible care for you.

What You Should Do Before Switching Doctors

If you want to switch doctors, you should ensure you absolutely need to. Here’s what you should consider before making the switch:

  1. Talk to your current doctor about your concerns. If you have questions about treatment or are unhappy with your current treatment plan, speak with your doctor. They may have additional options or refer you to a specialist, or another doctor they believe can provide you with further help.
  2. Get a second opinion. If you’re unsure if you should switch doctors, get a second opinion from another doctor. This will give you a better idea of your treatment options and whether switching doctors is best for you.
  3. Consider the impact on your case. Switching doctors may impact your case if you are in the middle of a personal injury case. For example, if you have already seen a doctor and want to switch because you are unhappy with your treatment plan, but the next doctor you visit provides you with the same treatment plan, it could damage your claim. The insurance company may claim that treatment is unnecessary and refuse to cover it.

Speak with your attorney before making any decisions about changing doctors. Your attorney will be able to advise you on how changing doctors may impact your case and whether or not it is in your best interest to do so.

Making the Switch

If you’ve decided that you need to switch doctors, you should do a few things to make the process as smooth as possible.

  1. Get all of your medical records from your current doctor. This includes any notes, test results, x-rays, and MRI results. You will need these records when you see a new doctor.
  2. Choose a new doctor. When choosing a new doctor, ensure they are board certified and have experience treating personal injury cases.
  3. Schedule an appointment with your new doctor. Be sure to take your medical records with you to your first appointment.

Personal injury cases can be complex, and it’s important to have a doctor you trust on your side. If you’re unhappy with your current doctor, you should consider switching. However, do your research first and speak with your attorney to ensure switching doctors won’t negatively impact your case.

Have you been injured in an accident? We can help. Call us today for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Can I Switch Doctors If I’m Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Greenville, NC?

In North Carolina, workers’ compensation claimants are generally required to see a doctor chosen by their employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Such as, if you underwent emergency surgery in the hospital, the surgeon would usually continue as the treating physician. Additionally, if your employer is not cooperative, or the treating doctor is not appropriately trying to help get you healthy, you may need to switch doctors.

However, if you want to make the switch, specific procedures must be followed, or you could end up paying for your own medical bills or receive treatment from a physician whose opinions are not valid before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

How to Make the Switch During a Greenville Workers’ Comp Case

If you’re injured at work, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your employer or the insurance company will then choose a doctor for you to continue treatment with. If you’re unhappy with this doctor, you can request a change.

First, you should review with a North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer your right to ask to see another doctor. You have the right to select another doctor, but only if you get approval from the NC Industrial Commission. Receiving their approval is crucial because the Commission will ignore the opinions of unauthorized physicians.

You must submit a written request to your employer and insurance company to request a change. The request must be in writing because if a dispute arises, you must be able to prove that you made the request and it was denied or never responded to appropriately. If your request is approved, you will be able to switch doctors. You will have to continue treatment with the doctor you initially saw if it’s rejected.

Suppose the insurance company denies your claim or you want to explore other options. In that case, you have additional rights, such as the right to an independent medical examination or a rating exam. If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim, call us for a free consultation. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Personal Injury Claims We Handle in Greenville, NC

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have experience in various areas of personal injury law, including:

Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Greenville Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you have been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer in Greenville, NC, today. A personal injury lawyer can help you with every step of your case, from choosing the right doctor to filing a personal injury claim. They will also fight for the compensation you deserve.

At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have over 25 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Greenville, NC. We will provide you with the experienced legal representation you need to win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Notice of Data Security Event
Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

Sincerely,

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor

STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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