Happy Monday!
By special request, this week’s Georgia tip covers a VERY common question: The Claimant Keeps Missing Appointments – What Can I Do??
Answer: File the PMT(b): Petition to Show Cause Regarding Medical Treatment/Employee’s Failure to Attend Medical Appointment!
- PURPOSE
- Filed by the Employer/Insurer when the Claimant fails to attend a medical appointment with an ATP.
- Triggers a conference call with the Judge and opposing counsel in which the Claimant must “show cause as to the reasons they failed to attend the appointment with an ATP or testing recommended by the ATP.”
- REQUIREMENTS
- To be valid, the Employer/Insurer must attach documentation showing:
- the appointment or testing was scheduled with an ATP; and
- the Claimant or opposing counsel was provided reasonable notice of the appointment but failed to attend.
- RESOLUTION OPTIONS
- Claimant can cancel the PMT conference call by filing the “Agreement to Attend Medical Appointment” (same Board form).
- If not, they will have to explain to the Judge why they failed to attend during the PMT conference call!
- WHAT HAPPENS IF THE JUDGE ORDERS THEM TO ATTEND BUT THEY NO-SHOW AGAIN???
- File the Petition to Suspend Benefits for Failure to Attend Medical Appointment with an ATP (same Board form).
- Triggers a conference call with the Judge in which opposing counsel will have to “show cause why the employee’s disability benefits should not be suspended.
As always, feel free to give me a shout if you run into any GA issues or have any questions!
Sincerely,
John Fennelly | Junior Partner