Robert William Service said “be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out – it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” Truer words were never spoken.

The grain of sand in the shoe of many Workers’ Compensation claimants is medical and travel reimbursement (M&T). I first discussed M&T in my blog “New York Workers’ Comp Attorney Discusses Mileage Reimbursement.” Please see that blog for the basics. This blog offers an inspirational quote (see first sentence) and a few more tips.

Simple mileage reimbursement requests are rarely a problem unless you are seeking years of unpaid mileage. I recommend you submit M&T at least annually. One important point for anyone using a taxi or bus is that you MUST get a receipt. The insurance company will not reimburse you for your actual taxi or bus expenses unless you provide receipts for them.

Similarly, for durable medical equipment and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, receipts are the key. Additionally, regarding durable medical equipment (ex. heating pad) and OTC medications (ex. colace), make sure your doctor is writing in his or her medical narrative that he or she wants you to have it because of your work related injury. Please remember that if your doctor doesn’t write that you need it for your work injury, it’s unlikely the insurance company will voluntarily pay for it and the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge will be without power to order the insurance company to pay.

Thanks for reading,
Eric

___________________________________________
Eric L. Johnson, Esq.
Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel: (607) 733-8866
Fax: (607) 732-6062
Toll Free: 1-800-943-3529
Email: ejohnson@zifflaw.com
Web: http://www.zifflaw.com