At the Southern California Orthopedic Institute Medical Group, our physicians and staff pride themselves on their expertise with work-related illnesses and injuries covered under workers' compensation. We understand the special challenges presented by industrial injuries and illnesses.

We know that early diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries are the keys to returning an injured worker to the job as soon as possible thereby reducing both medical costs and time lost from work. We endeavor to provide excellent medical care to the injured worker, while at the same time keeping the employers and insurance carrier apprised of the patient's treatment plan, progress and status.

We believe in working closely with the patient, the employer and the carrier to develop appropriate work restrictions and light duty assignments. Our cost containment strategies include a conservative approach to the use of ancillary services and testing procedures. We understand the value of work-injury prevention and provide education to our patients in proper body mechanics ergonomic and post-injury rehabilitation. Additionally our physicians have received special training in workers compensation report writing to assure that our written communications ratable and meet all accepted legal standards.

SCOI Workers' Compensation Services Include:

• Board Certified Orthopedist and Physiatrists
• Bilingual doctors and staff
• QME and AME Evaluations
• Medical/Legal and Second Opinion Consultations
• Appointments within 24 hours
• Same day Status Reports
• A dedicated workers' compensation inquiry call line
• Timely and concise written reports which meet all legal requirements
• Fees in compliance with Official Medical Fee Schedule

SCOI works with Dr. Richard L. Masserman for Agreed Medical Exams (AME), Independent Medical Exams (IME) and Qualified Medical Exams (QME).

Industrial Injuries Seminar

Directed at claims examiners, nurses, case managers, occupational medicine physicians, physical therapists and other interested workers' compensation professionals, the seminar provides timely and informative lectures by SCOI Physicians on current orthopedic and physical medicine treatments as well as offering Continuing Medical Education credits (CMEs).

The next "Industrial Injuries Seminar" will be held Thursday, May 22, 2008.

For more information please call (818) 901-6600 ext. 1526, or e-mail us.