Yes. After the injury is reported, the City still has 90 days to investigate the injury and make a decision whether to accept or deny the injury as work related. However, the City cannot schedule you to see one of their doctors; they can only offer you a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) from a panel of three evaluators provided by the State. When requested by the City, there is a ten-day time frame for the injured worker to submit the “Request for QME” form to the Division of Worker’s Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit. The “Request for QME” must indicate the QME specialty requested. If the unrepresented worker does not submit the “Request for QME” form to the DWC Medical Unit within the ten day time frame, the City may submit the form and choose the specialty of the physician for the unrepresented worker. Within ten days after the DWC Medical Unit issues a panel of three QMEs, the employee has ten days to select a QME, make the appointment and communicate the information to the City. If the employee fails to meet these time deadlines, the City may choose the QME and the date and time for the appointment for the injured worker. This process can make or break your case. If you or the City chooses a doctor who is not familiar with the various presumptions afforded to safety members, you may receive a very unfavorable result. Once you select a QME, and later seek the assistance of an attorney, your attorney will not be able to obtain another QME. Your attorney will be bound by the findings of your QME.