The recent overhaul of California?s workers' compensation system includes a provision giving employers the power to control medical care for victims of on-the-job accidents. After Jan. 1, a worker will have to pick doctors from employer-controlled physician networks. Businesses feel that this change is essential for controlling treatment costs. Lawyers representing injured workers have filed a legal challenge to the new rule, contending that it is unfair to force people to change doctors in the middle of treatment.
See "Injured Employees Challenge Provision of Revised State Workers' Compensation Law", Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times, November 10, 2004