Case ID: so2d_916/html/0213-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DOWNING, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William A. SORENSON v. MERIT ELECTRICAL & Zurich American Insurance Company.
    No. 2004 CA 1192.
    Court of Appeal of Louisiana, First Circuit.
    May 6, 2005.
    Antonio LeMon, Covington, Counsel for Plaintiff/Appellee William A. Sorenson.
    Edward F. Stauss, III, Aaron J. Chais-son, Jr., Baton Rouge, Counsel for Defendant/Appellant Merit Electrical & Zurich American Insurance, Co.
    Before: WHIPPLE, DOWNING and HUGHES, JJ.
   DOWNING, J.

The employer appeals an Office of Workers’ Compensation Court (WCC) judgment that authorizes the claimant to be evaluated by a psychologist. The WCC stated that it found the claimant to be “a very credible witness.” Although it found the lack of a written referral from the treating physician to be problematic, it determined that the claimant acted reasonably in seeking the evaluation and still had a right to see the medical specialist of his choosing.

We agree with the WCC. Louisiana Revised Statute 23:1121(B) provides, in pertinent part, that the employee shall have the right to select one treating physician in any field or specialty. Louisiana Revised Statute 23:1121(B) further provides that the employee is not required to obtain approval for change to a treating physician in another field or specialty.

Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the WCC. This summary opinion is issued in compliance with Uniform Court of Appeal Rule 2-16.2 and the cost of this appeal is assessed against the defendant/appellant.

AFFIRMED.