What is the purpose of the DWC Form 73?
The Work Status Report is a communication tool used to inform the insurance carrier, employer, and injured employee of the injured employee’s ability to work.
When is the DWC Form 73 required?
Submitted by the treating doctor and referral doctor
•At the request of the insurance carrier:
•Must be based on scheduled appointments with the injured employee; and
•Not more than once every two weeks.
A complete report indicates whether the injured employee:
•is able to work without restrictions,
•is able to work with restrictions and gives an explanation of what the restrictions are, or
•is unable to work and gives an explanation of how the injury prevents the employee from returning to work.
Who submits the DWC Form 73 ?
28 TAC §126.6, 127.10, 129.5
•The injured employee’s treating doctor.
•A doctor to whom the treating doctor referred the injured employee.
•A designated doctor under a TDI-DWC order.
•A required medical exam (RME) doctor upon request from the insurance carrier.
Common Errors When Completing and Submitting the DWC Form 73:
•Dates indicating how long the injured employee can work with restrictions and the specific activity restrictions are not provided
•Dates indicating how long the injured employee cannot return to work and a description of how the injury prevents the employee from returning to work
•Doctor does not sign the form.
Williams, McClure & Parmelee is dedicated to high quality legal representation of businesses and insurance companies in a variety of matters. We are experienced Texas civil litigation attorneys based in Fort Worth who know Texas courts and Texas law. For more information, please contact the law firm at 817-335-8800. The firm’s new office location is 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas 76112.
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