NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.
Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.
Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.
Recently enacted by the 86th Legislature, House Bill 29 permits some qualified physical therapists to treat patients without a referral from a doctor. A therapist with a doctoral degree in physical therapy, or one who has been licensed for at least one year and has completed a minimum of thirty hours of specific continuing education, will be allowed to treat a patient for up to ten consecutive business days without a referral. Those with a doctoral degree and a completed residency or fellowship may treat for up to fifteen consecutive business days.
However, HB 29 does not apply to treatment rendered for a work comp injury. A physical therapist does not meet the definition of a treating doctor under Section 401.011 of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, and Section 408.021(c) specifies that a work comp claimant’s health care must be approved by the injured worker’s treating doctor.
Copyright 2019,Stone Loughlin & Swanson, LLP