Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hello all,
I was injured back in Oct. 2006, I was sent to see a doctor and they said that I had a lower back sprain. The pain persisted, they did an x-ray, couldn't find anything and said that I still had a sprained back, sent me to physical therapy. The pain just kept getting worse, running down both legs and numbness as well, nothing helped. I was sent for an MRI in Jan. 2007. In the MRI they saw that I had a hurniated disc at L5-S1. I was sent to a surgeon and he sent me for a pain block. It did nothing for the pain.... so, he did a fusion on me in May. The pain hasn't lessened at all, it's actually getting worse. The doctor put me at maximum medical improvement on Feb. 11, with a 25% impairment rating, he also prescribed pain management and made an appointment for me. The pain management doctor listened to me, and had an EMG done on me. The EMG showed that my sciatic nerve did not respond at all. The pain doctor believes that my sciatic nerve was damaged when the fusion was done. I can't believe that the surgeon didn't recognize the symptoms of the sciatic nerve problem.
My attorney just seems to want to get the whole thing over with, he doesn't seem at all interested in doing anything further. Should I push to have this included in the case, or will it just be added whether or not I push?

Welcome to the forum. Others will be on to help you.

you don't get a claim for each body part; all the nerves involved in your back are included. you will get disability and treatment for your work related back condition no matter which disc is injured; you don't need a claim for each one.

Sorry for all your problems. I wish I could fix it for you.

Hubbie is now going through all this worker's comp crap. It is such a head game, and unfortunately, the injured worker and his/her family suffers.

Best of luck to you and be persistant and make sure that number one is taken care of (You). Do not sign anything, do not settle until you are satisfied with what has been done to help you get better.

Wife of injured man

Thank you all very much, it is much appreciated. =)

You got hurt 2 months after I did. I have the exact same injury and had fusion surgery oct 07. I'm still having issues worse than before I had surgery. I did have 2 and a half months where I actually improved and the I had a setback and am having nerve issues also at least that's what my doc thinks it is. I have just recently started therapy and can't tell it's helping. Are you taking any meds for nerve pain? I've had a little luck with lyrica it just puts you in a daze for most of the day. Let me know how things work out for you. I'm just about at the end of my rope with all this mess. I hope things get better for you.

My pain management doctor prescribed lyrica for me, but the insurance co. hasn't approved it yet so I'm waiting. I'm on lortab at the moment, the doctor wants me to take both, I'm afraid of what I'm gonna be like then (I'm kinda dingy already, lol). Yeah, I'm also getting to be at the end of my rope, I just want them to fix whatever it is that is wrong and let me get on with my life! I'm tired of being in constant pain...
I'm sorry to hear that you have the same problem, I really hope everything works out for you and they fix it!
Thanks everyone for the replies, it's nice to have people to talk to that basically know what I'm going through.

There's a reason they're taking so long to approve it it's not cheap but good stuff. I still have to take the loratab to but not as much as I was taking. I just try not to drive anymore than I have to. As for fixing me i'm not sure there's anything else I want them to do other than managing the pain. Good luck to you to.

Well, today I finally got my scripts filled (about time!!). I got both the lyrica and kadian that was prescribed. I have a question tho. Do these usually make the pain worse at first? The pain in my legs is worse than it has been in a long time! Like since just after my surgery. I feel like a zombie, but can't sleep because of the pain. I was just wondering if anyone else had this side-affect.

Kub...i have no experience w/ kadian, But...i take Lyrica. i have never had meds cause more pain than i had. You probably should call the MD about this. The lyrica has helped me a great deal, but you must give it time to work (a couple weeks at least). Sciatic pain is bad...and hard to get under control. i doubt that it will ever go away until the pressure is taken off of it. The reason that your surgeon didn't recognize the sciatic problem, is that they don't want to hear that one of their 'skilled works of art' (surgery) has not been a complete & successful hit!
i wish you luck & success w/ the new meds! Lilly