Work-related injury

Workers' Compensation Orthopedic Review

Independent orthopedic evaluation and record review for work-injury claims — addressing work-relatedness, treatment appropriateness, restrictions and permanency for carriers, employers, administrators and counsel.

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Definition

A workers' compensation orthopedic review evaluates whether a reported work event or work exposure accounts for the claimant's orthopedic condition, what care is reasonable and necessary, what the claimant can safely do at work, and whether the condition has stabilized.

Formats: In-person IME or records-only review
Exam locations: Oak Brook, St. Charles, Little Village (Chicago)
Turnaround: Typically 3–7 business days
Testimony: Deposition available

Who requests these reviews

Insurance carriers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, nurse case managers, and petitioner or respondent counsel in Illinois workers' compensation matters.

Injuries commonly at issue

Rotator cuff tears and shoulder injuries from lifting or overhead work
Knee injuries from twisting, kneeling or falls
Meniscus and ligament injuries with disputed acute versus degenerative etiology
Hip and groin injuries, including tendon injuries
Fractures and post-traumatic orthopedic conditions
Repetitive-activity claims where degeneration is a competing explanation

What the review addresses

Whether the mechanism described is consistent with the objective findings
Apportionment between acute injury and pre-existing degenerative change
Reasonableness and necessity of treatment already provided
Whether proposed surgery or continued therapy is supported
Specific, functional work restrictions
Maximum medical improvement and permanency when asked

Materials to provide

The accident or incident report, the claimant's treatment records from date of injury forward, imaging and radiology reports, operative reports, therapy notes with objective measures, prior IME reports, and the job description or physical demands analysis where work capacity is in question.

Common questions

What work-injury questions can be addressed?

Whether the described work activity or event explains the orthopedic findings, the contribution of pre-existing degenerative change, whether treatment rendered or proposed is reasonable and necessary, appropriate work restrictions, whether the claimant is at maximum medical improvement, and permanency when requested.

Are examinations performed near the employee?

Examinations are performed at Oak Brook, St. Charles and Little Village in Chicago, covering much of the Chicago metropolitan area and the western suburbs.

Can a file be reviewed without an examination?

Yes. A records-only review is often sufficient for treatment authorization, surgical necessity and causation questions.

Is deposition testimony available in comp matters?

Yes. Dr. Horner has extensive deposition experience and is available for deposition on opinions he has rendered.

Request a case review

Submit preliminary case information and the requested service. Reports are typically returned within 3–7 business days of receiving complete materials; unusually large record sets may take longer.