Panel of Physicians in Georgia Workers' Comp: Your Rights

Georgia employers must post a panel of at least 6 physicians (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-201), including at least one orthopedic surgeon. You choose your authorized treating physician (ATP) from the panel and are entitled to one free change. If the employer has no valid panel, you can see any doctor.

This is general information, not legal advice. A Georgia workers’ compensation attorney can help.

Who treats your work injury in Georgia is not entirely up to you — and it is not entirely up to your employer either. The law creates a structured framework designed to balance employer cost control with employee choice.

The Panel Requirement

Under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-201, your employer must post a panel of at least 6 physicians in a conspicuous location in the workplace. The panel must include:

At least one orthopedic surgeon
No more than two industrial clinics

The panel must be posted visibly so employees can see it before an injury occurs. Physicians on the panel must be in a genuine practice relationship with the employer — the employer cannot simply list names to satisfy the requirement without those physicians being actually available.

Choosing Your Authorized Treating Physician (ATP)

When you are injured, you select your authorized treating physician (ATP) from the posted panel. This doctor:

Manages your medical care and referrals
Determines your work restrictions
Decides when you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
Assigns your final impairment rating under the AMA Guides, 5th Edition

All of these determinations have direct dollar consequences for your claim. Taking time to choose carefully matters.

Your One Free Change

You are entitled to one change of physician from the panel without needing SBWC authorization. After that, any further change requires approval from the Board. If you want to use your free change, notify your employer in writing and document that you selected from the same posted panel.

Authorized vs. Unauthorized Treatment

Treatment from a physician not on the panel (and not otherwise authorized) is typically not covered by the employer. You may pay out of pocket or through your health insurance, but you cannot compel the employer to reimburse unauthorized care in most circumstances. Emergency treatment is an exception — you can go to the nearest available provider in a true emergency, but should transfer care to a panel physician as soon as practicable.

When the Employer Has No Valid Panel

If your employer failed to post or maintain a proper panel, you may treat with any physician of your choosing at the employer’s expense. This is an important protection: employers who cut corners on the panel requirement lose their right to direct care. If you are unsure whether your employer’s panel is valid, an attorney can review it.

To get matched with a local Georgia workers’ compensation attorney, connect with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Can my employer tell me which doctor on the panel I have to see?

No. The choice belongs to you. Your employer must post the panel, but you select your authorized treating physician from among the listed providers. Your employer cannot direct you to a specific physician on the panel.

What if I'm not happy with my panel physician after my one free change?

Further changes require authorization from the SBWC. You can petition the Board to change physicians for good cause — for example, if the relationship has broken down, the physician is unavailable, or there is a conflict of interest. Unauthorized treatment is generally not covered.

Does it matter which doctor I choose?

Significantly. Your ATP makes key determinations about your work restrictions, when you've reached maximum medical improvement, and your final impairment rating — all of which directly affect the amount and duration of your benefits. Choosing a physician who listens and documents your condition thoroughly can make a material difference in your case.

Related guides

Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Georgia To protect a Georgia workers' comp claim, notify your employer within 30 days of the injury (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-80) and file Form WC-14 with the State Board of Workers' Compensation within 1 year (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-82). Missing either deadline can bar your benefits.

Independent Contractors and Workers' Comp in Georgia Georgia uses the right-to-control test to determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor for workers' comp purposes (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-1). A written IC contract does not automatically establish contractor status. In construction, a general contractor can be the statutory employer of a subcontractor's uninsured workers (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-8).

Third-Party Claims in Georgia Workers' Comp Workers' comp is the exclusive remedy against your employer and co-workers in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-11), but you can still sue a negligent third party who caused or contributed to your injury (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-11.1). Your employer holds a subrogation lien on any third-party recovery but can only collect after you are fully compensated.

Workers' Comp Benefits in Georgia Georgia workers' comp pays wage-replacement benefits (TTD, TPD, PPD), all reasonable medical expenses, and death benefits. TTD pays 2/3 of your average weekly wage up to $800/week (confirmed July 2023) for up to 400 weeks — or unlimited for catastrophic injuries. PPD is based on your AMA Guides 5th impairment rating.

Workers' Comp Settlements in Georgia Georgia workers' comp cases can be resolved through a Stipulated Settlement (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-15), which must be approved by the SBWC Board when there is a bona fide dispute of fact. Once approved, the settlement is final and typically closes both income and medical benefits.

The Panel of Physicians in Georgia Workers' Comp