Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hello everyone,
I will make this short. I saw the WC doc the other day. The plan is for me to continue next 3 wks of 4 hrs modified duty and then the 4th wk no restricions. Also he wants me to continue the tens unit and has started me on rx: flector patch. Has anyone tried this patch? Mind you I have not been back to work since 3/08. My ortho doc. has me out until 3/09, possibly spinal fusion of lumbar. Which is suppose to be a non- related WC issue. WC doc said my otho doc orders would override his. So for now I'm not too upset

When WC doc. told me that he would remove restrictions to no restrictions after 3rd wk; I asked him did he not know that I'm a nurse and my job requires pulling, pushing, turning patients through out my shift. My shift is 12 hrs in acute care hospital. He did not appear to be concerned that my neck and shoulder pain has recently increased, with the pain and numbness returning in my upper extermities.

I will be seeing the AME on the 11th of this month. I can't believe the WC doc. orders about returning to work with-out restrictions. What do you guys think?

P.S. my injury is the cervical, thoracic with mild central stenosis and multiple disc protrusions and disc osteophytes.

Jimmy, I'm not too Familiar with Neck Injuries, but You also Mention Possible Lumbar Fusion, is this all Work Related, the Neck and Lower Back Injury? If so, and if You are Cleared as far as Your neck goes, but not Cleared with Your Lower Back, in My Opinion You are not able to Return to Work. I had an IME, (Independent Medical Exam.) from a w/c Dr. that Released Me with Restrictions, and My Dr. Reported a that Time that I was Temporarily Totally Disabled, and could not Return. I had to Retain an Attorney and go through Numerous Hearings, but in the End My Dr. was found More Credible than Theirs, and being as My Case took Well over 2 Years due to Delays from the w/c Lawyer, My Condition Worsened over that Time, and in the End I was Found Totally Disabled by the w/c Judge. So You have a Few Avenues, I don't know if You have Counsel or not, but if not,You may want to Consider at Least Speaking with a Few. You have to be Prepared in the w/c Arena, believe Me, they have Their Attorney's looking at Your Case, and if it does Come to a Hearing, they will be Prepared!! Best of Luck, and Please Keep Us Informed!! Wink

Still in Limbo Wrote:

Jimmy, I'm not too Familiar with Neck Injuries, but You also Mention Possible Lumbar Fusion, is this all Work Related, the Neck and Lower Back Injury? If so, and if You are Cleared as far as Your neck goes, but not Cleared with Your Lower Back, in My Opinion You are not able to Return to Work. I had an IME, (Independent Medical Exam.) from a w/c Dr. that Released Me with Restrictions, and My Dr. Reported a that Time that I was Temporarily Totally Disabled, and could not Return. I had to Retain an Attorney and go through Numerous Hearings, but in the End My Dr. was found More Credible than Theirs, and being as My Case took Well over 2 Years due to Delays from the w/c Lawyer, My Condition Worsened over that Time, and in the End I was Found Totally Disabled by the w/c Judge. So You have a Few Avenues, I don't know if You have Counsel or not, but if not,You may want to Consider at Least Speaking with a Few. You have to be Prepared in the w/c Arena, believe Me, they have Their Attorney's looking at Your Case, and if it does Come to a Hearing, they will be Prepared!! Best of Luck, and Please Keep Us Informed!! Wink

Still in Limbo,
I do have cousnel and spoke to him about a month ago.He does not want to include my lumbar issue with my neck and thoracic injury; being that it was an injury that I incurred several years ago while working as a nurse in Philly.That case was closed; so I beleive. I improved and continued to work for several years and then my back went out while doing heavy lifting off the job.Treated by my pcp doc. Received PT and traction which allowed me to return to work with no restrictions for the next few years.

The controversy with WC is that I didn't complain about lumbar and leg pain until a couple of months after my neck and upper back injury. I told the WC doc. treating me at that time that I was starting to have lower back pain with leg weakness and losing my balance which resulted in multiple falls This WC doc did documet one of my falls and believed that it was contributed to my WC injury. He ordered a MRI of lumbar. WC refused. Had MRI done throuhmy Cobra insurance. IC did approve MRI after I had it done through my insurance, but now stuck with the MRI bill because I forgot to pay Cobra premium and insurance was cancelled.

I will be sending the bill to my attorney to send to IC since they did authorize after WC doc appealed. I know its a little late, but I've had a hard time trying to obtain my records from philly. The hospital that I incurrred my injury has folded. I'm getting the run around. I will be making a trip to Philly within the next 10 days.

Still in Limbo, I would greatly appreciate any other advice. This journey is time consuming, frustrating and incredibly difficult.I'm trying to hang in there. There are times when I feel ok and I think this is all in my head and then the pain comes back two-fold. I am reminded then that I can't go down without a fight. Sorry this is so long. Neaded to vent.

Thank you all and God bless.

Please Vent Anytime, We All do it at One Time or another!! Smile

My Opinion Only, but I think by Working Hard with Your Attorney to either Re-Open the Old Claim from Philly, or by getting Your Lower Back Pain Added to this Claim would be the Best for You , especially since they Approved an MRI. That May show that they May be Open to Adding Your Lower Back, and if Your Current Job Aggravated a Previous Injury, it should be Covered Under this Claim. Just Hang in there and stay in Close Contact with Your Attorney, and Document Everything You Can, so You can go back and get any Info. You May need Later! My Very Best to You, and Please Keep Us Informed!! Wink

Still in Limbo Wrote:

Please Vent Anytime, We All do it at One Time or another!! Smile

My Opinion Only, but I think by Working Hard with Your Attorney to either Re-Open the Old Claim from Philly, or by getting Your Lower Back Pain Added to this Claim would be the Best for You , especially since they Approved an MRI. That May show that they May be Open to Adding Your Lower Back, and if Your Current Job Aggravated a Previous Injury, it should be Covered Under this Claim. Just Hang in there and stay in Close Contact with Your Attorney, and Document Everything You Can, so You can go back and get any Info. You May need Later! My Very Best to You, and Please Keep Us Informed!! Wink

Thank you so much Still in Limbo

Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

jimmyo1

Still in Limbo

jimmyo1

Still in Limbo

jimmyo1