Iwunoh v. Maremont Corp.

OPALA, Justice:

The issue presented on certiorari is whether reasonable expenses of claimant’s self-procured medical treatment, found to be necessary, were legally chargeable to the employer even though the services of the physician had been rendered without prior court or employer approval. We answer in the affirmative.

The claimant suffered a back injury while employed at the petitioner’s [employer’s] workplace. The trial tribunal found she had sustained permanent and partial disability. At a later hearing on medical expenses, the employer was directed to pay for necessary treatment by the…