Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hi all glad to see another wc forum up that i might get an idea of what else im in for .......

My story is pretty basic but haven't yet been denied my benefits from the ins comp.

I work with mentally and phys. challenged adults and children ....one nice and icey day back in jan of 2010 my client slipped on some ice and went totally horizontal in the air....being i didn't want to see his head split open on the concrete i caught him with my 1 free hand and stopped him from falling.....about 20 minutes later my back was tingling ......i told my boss and she had me fill out all the accident / incident reports as well as a letter for WC ....yadda yadda i go see a regular doctor and was sent to a back specialist....turns out I have a small herniation in my lumbar spine as well as a herniated disc in my thoracic spinal region.

The lower disc does not bother my a whole lot but has its days , the herniation in my thoracic disc is a constant stabbing sharp and aching pain. I take some pretty heavy pain meds for it as well as a long list of other anti-inflammatories . With no relief from epidural injections or EPS 8000 treatements ( like a huge version of a tens unit..) . I am see'ing what i have been told is the #2 back specialist in the country . So i do have alot of faith in him. His worries are WC will deny to have the surgery i need so he has been trying to do everything he can think of to not have to do the surgery that I am now pretty convinced its going to come to.

As for the title to this post . about 2 days ago I recieve a letter from the WC ins comp saying that i need to go see a doctor of their choice about an hour and a half away . Has anyone ever gone to one of "their" doctors with good results??

I am just terrified that I am going to be on my way home and recieve a phone call from ins comp sayign they are cutting me off or something.

because of where the herniated disc is at my doctor has told me even the surgery is going to leave me "MAYBE" a little better but you are still going to be in pain probably for the rest of your life.

Very sad thing to hear but I am still positive about the whole situation just stressed from the whole money side of it all ( i am literally recieving 1/2 of what i was making b4 i got hurt and i was only working part time there anyways so supporting my family has been very stressful for the last 3 months )


I live in Michigan Btw

DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS!

Kobraky

If I understand this you HAVE a recognized diagnosis for a disc herniation and you have failed all reasonable and usual non-operative treatment. You have a surgical recommendation from a qualified specialist.

You will have no problem with the IME's report. There is really nothing to say.

Kobraky Wrote:Hi all glad to see another wc forum up that i might get an idea of what else im

DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS!

Kobraky

yes, they may very well dispute your need for surgery. differing medical opinions are common in serious injury cases.
what answers do you want?
there is an appeal process for either party to use if there is a dispute. you can find out more here
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wca_PU...5317_7.pdf

Kobraky, you just need to remember what an IME doctor is there for.

They are there only to give a Medical Opinion, and the report they write will state it is just a medical opinion.

An IME is not your treating doctor/Surgeon, and should not try and treat you. But, since they don't treat you, all they can do, is a simple Exam, and go off your medical reports and films, to give a edical Opinion. It doesn't have to be right, nor wrong.

What is a good piece of advise here is. You go to the IME, and right after the IME within a day or so, you go to your treating doctor/ surgeon, and get them to evaluate you. Having 2 medical Opinion reports with the dates very close to each other will be a major benefit, if you do encounter any problems. But, it will help you if you need to fight for proper medical treatment.

Here is a good read also; Blow up to 100% to read it;

http://www.disabilityclaimssolutions.com...rticle.pdf

Thanks for the replies guys , I've just heard so many horror stories ( including my father ) he was sent to the workman's comp doctor and before he even got home they had him on the phone saying he was faking it and they were cutting him off ( this is with an xray and MRI showing 1 ruptured disc and 3 herniated discs in his neck )

I'm just worried they are going to try to say something like "we'll our doctor says it is from a pre-exsisting condition so we are cutting you off " when I know there was nothing wrong with me b4 i got hurt at work .....

Just nervous i think is all because of all the run around BS i've gone through already with this insurance comapany....


Anyone else get the feeling your disturbing your Workman's Comp rep when you call them asking them to do part of their job in a timely matter? My workman's comp lady acts like I am some degenerate that is trying to get something moer than what I am entitled do.....Just sucks I suppose ....I do all I can for the company and they treat you like excrement when an accident happens that was totally out of no where and was not really preventable...

Workman's Comp rep

You calling them asking them what? And why? As they aren't going to move any faster just because you called them, plus they aren't going to do anything till your seen by their doctor. You need to just relax. An IME can be a major benefit, or it can become a problem. If it becomes a problem, you still don't need to worry. As you then get a good Work Comp Attorney to fight for you. It is really all that easy at this point.

So, what you do today, is you start to research Work Comp Attorneys for your State and area. Do your homework well, and make the best possible choice when the time does come when you need one. Stay one step ahead of the what IF's. This is all you can do.

http://www.michigan.gov/wca

http://www.workerscompensation.com/michigan.php

ive been to nothing but the insurance companys drs and have had great results..never denied any treatment or meds they have been doing everything in there power to get me better..most are really not out to get anyone..hope all goes well for you

what makes you think your employer knows how you are treated?
does your employer know how you feel?

Surprise Surprise....the IME was a total nightmare just as i expected with the 15 minute fly by night doctor exam and coming to the conclusion that my herniated disc occurred after my injury at work somehow even tho i have been off work and not doing any physical activities since the injury , Now i get to fight with workmans comp and pay a lawyer just to get them to do the right thing, So to everyone that holds these workman comp doctors in any regard have fun getting the least amount of quality for medical care possible.

The way workmans comp operates is a disgrace to mankind, I understand alot of people probably try to rip off workmans comp but when you have 3 doctors saying one thing then 1 doctor that gave you a 15 minute evaluation says something different that works out well for the insurance company it really is sickening , a real doctor would not work solely off of workman comp cases trying to screw over people that have done nothing wrong except have an accident at work that caused an injury....

Disgustedly yours,
Kobraky

I assume you read the IME's report.

What was the medical rationale that the Dr. used to reason that the herniation happened after the injury date. ?

How did he explain away the history of medical documentation of no prior back pain or medical care and then regular care form the injury onwards that failed to resolve and so culminated in obtaining the MRI which showed the disc herniation ?