Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

History:

I worked as an Early Childhood Teacher previous to my job injury of 11/05.

I've had surgery on both knees and need a knee replacement on my right knee, wc is refusing to pay for surgery.

In the past year I have worked 2 hrs (Sept 06), since my employer has refused to accomodate my needs.

I was released from dr with no restriction on right knee and took paper work to HR 2 wKs ago.

(I have restrictions on left knee treating dr says restrictions are not work related) this is the knee needing a knee replacement as soon as possible according to dr. Attorney is working on getting replacement paid by wc, this is now before the judge to decide.

I meet with my supervisor last week to review employee file and requirements of my job and to schedule health assesments with dr.

This is where I need your help!

I received an e-mail from HR this morning, they want to meet with me this afternoon to review my job position, look at my restrictions, see if their are accomodation that can be made.

My position requires lifting to 100 lbs, bending, kneeling, and good physical health.

My question is:

How much should I tell my work about my health?

I use a cane to get around, my knee is getting worse every day,
and I am scheduled for a biopsy for a tumor on my spine.

My attorney is not availible at this time.

In the past my attorney has told me not to quit my job, let my job tell me I can't do the job.

Any Advise?

I agree with still. You need to be honest with them. If you arent honest and you end up getting hurt or hurting someone else, they may not cover the treatment.

I wish you the best of luck with your meeting.

(((hugs)))

Hi Bummer Knees...I see a couple of issues here. First you stated that W/C did not pay for the surgeries. Was this for both knees or just the one where your doctor said that it was not work related? Next if you are going in to see the employer and the only restrictions are on a knee that the doctor says is not work related, the employee probably wants to clarify this with you and then he or she will most likely tell you that they do not have any job positions that will allow for those restrictions that are not job related. If he or she is a great employer they may have found something else for you to do within your restrictions. In the mean time, Still is more than likely correct that this is what your attorney wants to happen. Then he or she may attemt to collect more money for you and for him from the back pay that you won't recieve now, and for the cost of the surgery that you are going to need to have. I wish I had more answers, but my best guess is to agree with the above, always be honest with the employer anyone who asked you about your limitations. My thoughts are going to be with you today. Best of luck.

Thank you everyone for your response.

I was a little stressed when I wrote my earlier post.

My employer contacted me at 10:00 am and wanted to meet with me at 2:00 pm, it just felt like something was off, and I did not know whether to tell my employer about the problems with my back.

Both of my previous knee surgeries were paid for by work comp.
The replacement surgery I now need is what wc refuses to pay for, my attorney feels we have enough information from IME to get the replacement surgery paid for.

I had my meeting with my employer, the position they had available was for an Infant/Toddler Teacher with physical job requirement that I am
unable to perform due to restrictions.

It was decided to keep me as an employee and on medical leave.

Im glad your meeting went well. Atleast you have a job to go back to once you are able to. Did they say how long you are able to stay out on medical leave?

Brand New Princess

No, they didn't. Does that make a difference?

Noooo, it doesnt. Was just wondering if they would say, lets talk again in a couple of months to see where ya stand. I have to check in once per month to let them know how im doing and then they decided whether to keep me off or let me go back to work. So far theyve kept me off.

I'm suprised they have kept me on, I was injured 18 months ago.

I was injured a month after you were. havent been off as long though. Ived worked 3 months out of the last 12.