In order to maximize your workers' compensation benefits, you must be aware of the legal stipulations of receiving treatment for a work-related injury. Even if your employer accepts your claim, he or she may insist you be treated by a doctor chosen by the company. In actuality, your employer should present you with a list of Authorized Treating Physicians, all of which must be located within 50 miles of your job site. The list must include at least six physicians, with at least one minority doctor and one one orthopaedic surgeon. Injured employees are allowed to switch from one panel doctor to another one time without getting approval. If your employer doesn't have a list of ATPs, he or she may have a Conformed Panel (which must contain 10 physicians to choose from) or an agreement with a Managed Care Organization. The employer is required to post this list in obvious places around the job site or company office. If your employer offers none of these workers' comp physician lists, you (the employee) are allowed to choose your own physician for treatment. Additionally, ATP lists, Conformed Panels and MCOs do not apply when an employee suffers a life-threatening injury. The employee should seek treatment at the nearest emergency medical facility. The employer will then be required to cover all medical costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of the emergency injury, even if the treating physician is not on the approved panel of physicians. Once the emergency medical injury has been treated, any subsequent care related to the injury must be performed by a physician on your employer's list of ATPs.