What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that must be provided by employers to cover benefits for employees who suffer from job-related injuries and/or illnesses. Every state has their own workers’ compensation laws that dictate the circumstances under which the worker will be eligible for benefits, the amount of benefits they can receive and the duration those benefits will be paid.

When it comes to workers’ compensation injuries, the most important thing to do after getting hurt is to seek medical attention. From there, you will likely be taken to the closest hospital for immediate care. Then, depending on your injury, you may be sent home after receiving emergency care and then referred to a specialist for follow-up.

However, in New Hampshire, the specialist that you’re referred to is not your only option.

New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Injury Care

 

Request a Workers' Compensation Appointment

Our staff understands and recognizes the importance of providing current and accurate workers’ compensation information and patient progress reports in a timely manner. Above all, our focus is on the recovery process and getting patients back to work quickly.

 

Same day walk-in clinics open in Exeter & Portsmouth Locations. No Appointment Necessary!

Request an Appointment

New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Injury Care

 

In New Hampshire, you have the right to choose your own provider if you’re injured at work — even if your insurance company has to pay more.

Your employer’s insurance company may attempt to steer you away from choosing your own provider, but ultimately it is your choice. You also have the right to:

  •  Have your medical costs from your work injury paid for by your employer.
  • Return to your position or receive training to help you obtain another position at the company.
  • Obtain a portion of your paid salary if you are unable to work.

The orthopaedic specialists at Access Sports Medicine know the importance of prompt treatment after an injury better than anyone. Whether you’re an athlete who has been injured on the field or a worker who was hurt on the job, your end goal is the same: a quick, healthy recovery so you can get back to where you need to be.

Common Workplace Injuries

From construction workers to receptionists, anyone can experience a workers’ compensation injury. As surgeons who operate on top-ranked athletes on a daily basis, our award-winning team has seen and treated every type of orthopaedic injury.

Workers’ CompensationSome of the most common workplace injuries that require orthopaedic treatment include but are not limited to:

  • Getting hit by an object
  • Repetitive motion
  • Machinery accidents
  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Overexertion
  • Back, knee, and shoulder injuries from falls
  • Sprains and strains of the wrist or ankle

Getting Medical Treatment for Your Workers’ Compensation Injuries

As we’ve mentioned, you have the right to choose your own provider under New Hampshire’s workers’ compensation law.

Access Sports Medicine has the medical resources and expertise to help you get on the road to recovery and back to work. Some of our resources include:

  • Walk-in Injury Clinics
    • For injuries that can’t wait, we have two walk-in clinics in Portsmouth and Exeter, NH.
  • Diagnostics & Digital Imaging
    • Our locations utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as open MRIs, traditional MRIs, ultrasounds, X-rays and more.
  • Occupational Therapy
    • Our OT department can provide tailored therapy for fractures, nerve injuries, cumulative traumas, musculoskeletal injuries and more.
  • Physical Therapy
    • After surgery, you may need physical therapy to regain your strength. Our locations are staffed with physical therapists to help you recover quickly.
  • Outpatient Surgery Centers
    • If surgery is necessary for your recovery, we have two outpatient clinics where our orthopaedic surgeons will perform your procedure.
  • Award-Winning Orthopaedic Team
    • Our orthopaedic surgeons are consistently ranked as top providers in the nation.

Our team is well-versed in New Hampshire workers’ compensation cases and can help you receive the treatment you need while also providing the necessary information to ensure you receive your benefits.

 

Locations

Auburn, NH Ambulatory Surgery Center

45 Dartmouth Dr.
Auburn, New Hampshire 03032

Dover, NH Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Clinic

19 Webb Place
Dover, NH 03820

Rochester, NH Physical Therapy

120 Washington Street Suite 101
Rochester, NH 03839

Portsmouth, NH Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Clinic (Walk-In Clinic Available)

155 Borthwick Avenue, Suite 102
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Raymond, NH Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Clinic

6 Freetown Road
Raymond, NH 03077

Exeter, NH Orthopaedic Clinic (Walk-In Clinic Available)

1 Hampton Road
Exeter, NH 03833

Learn More About Our Same Day Walk-In Clinics
95%

The percentage of workers’ compensation injuries that are occupational injuries.

Joshua A. Siegel, MD

Knee & Shoulder

Dr. Siegel is an award-winning surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. He is a US Olympic Committee team physician, a US ski team physician and covers USGA and PGA tour events. Locally, he is the team physician for several high schools, including Phillips Exeter Academy.

Meet Dr. Siegel

David Davis, MD

Knee & Shoulder

Dr. Davis specializes in the treatment of sports-related injuries and has contributed to numerous scholarly publications. His experience includes working as an assistant team physician for the Boston Celtics and Tufts University football and hockey programs. Currently, he is a team physician for several New Hampshire Seacoast high schools.

Meet Dr. Davis

Benjamin Thompson, MD

Knee & Shoulder

Dr. Thompson is an award-winning surgeon, with team physician experience working with the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Lowell Spinners, the Pro Bull Riders Tour and Worcester Polytechnical Institute football team.

Meet Dr. Thompson

Jeffrey Rosenfield, MD

Hand & Elbow

Dr. Jeffrey Rosenfield is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended Chicago Medical School and received his medical degree in 1996 with a nomination to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He received his orthopedic residency training at New York University – The Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City.

Meet Dr. Rosenfield

Chelsea Backer, DO

Concussion

Chelsea Backer, D.O. is a Board-Certified Sports Medicine physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all non-operative sports injuries.

Meet Dr. Backer

Christopher L. Wheeler, PA-C

Physician Assistant

PA-C Wheeler is a certified Physician Assistant with over 25 years of experience providing clinical, operative and off-site services for Access Sports Medicine. He also lectures and serves as a preceptor for the University of New England Physician Assistant program.

Meet Christopher Wheeler PA-C

Eric Richard, PA-C

Physician Assistant

PA-C Richard is a certified Physician Assistant with an extensive background in the world of orthopaedics. Prior to joining the team at Access, he worked certified athletic trainer and worked at an orthopaedic practice for over a decade.

Meet Eric Richard PA-C

Ainsley Smith, PA-C

Physician Assistant

PA-C Smith is a certified Physician Assistant whose love for sports influenced her to pursue a career in orthopaedics. She is licensed to practice in the State of New Hampshire and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).​

Meet Ainsley Smith PA-C

Michael R. Smith, PA-C

Physician Assistant

PA-C Smith is a certified Physician Assistant with more than 14 years of experience in orthopaedic surgery. He works as an Assistant Professor at the MCPHS University Boston Physician Assistant Program and is a skilled instructor in CPR and ACLS as well as numerous clinical medicine topics.

Meet Michael R. Smith PA-C

Anthony S. Curro, PA-C

Physician Assistant

PA-C Curro is a certified Physician Assistant with experience in both orthopaedics and family medicine. His clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries. As a member of ski patrol for more than two decades, he has a special interest in ski and snowboard-related injuries and injury prevention.

Meet Anthony S. Curro PA-C

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am covered by workers’ compensation?

This varies on a state-by-state basis. Under New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Law RSA 281-A:5, all part-time and full-time employees must be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This is still valid if the company is a non-profit organization. Sole proprietors, partners and self-employed individuals are not required to have workers’ compensation on themselves.

Do I have to be injured at work to be covered by workers’ compensation?

Not necessarily. In many situations, as long as your injury is job-related then it should be covered. Examples of this can include traveling for work-related purposes.

Does workers’ compensation only cover accidents?

No. Many people receive workers’ compensation for overuse or overexertion injuries. Examples of this include carpal tunnel syndrome from working with your hands or some repetitive stress injuries.