Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hello everyone,

I had my appointment with the AME the other day. This doc. was very thorough. After the exam. He went over my cervical and thoracic x-rays and explained the findings. He and his assistant then took me in The office and went over the paper work that pertain to my job duties, activities of daily living, and pain levels. He also did his dictation while I was sitting there.

He continued to ask me questions. He however, as well as my attorney will not include my lumbar issues, because in my oringal injury, I did not c/o of lumbar and sciatic pain and I was not on the job when my lower back and left leg started bothering me

I'm in the process of retrieving my old injury records from philly. I feel that the problem with the lumbar radiculopathy has been aggravated due to a number of falls stemming from my cervical and thoraic injury, Which the first WC doc documented and then pushed for the Lumbar MRI because he believed the lumbar was also related.WC denied at first and then finally authorized the lumbar MRI

My rating is 19% for cervical and 8% for thoracic. Are these two added for total body rating? Also what happens to the WC doc oders, which are for me to return to regular duties with no restrictions on the 23rd of this month.

The AME doc said no way will I be able to return to regular duty or nursing again! So what happens now? Does the AME orders override the WC doc orders. I was told by both docs.that my medical would remain open. Also will PPD start from the date I was examined by the AME doc? WC stop TTD payments in Oct. because I did not return to modified duty. I have been put off work by my doc until I have a total of two Epidural Steriod Injections of the lumbar and if no relief then spinal fusion.

So this AME exam was with your treating doctor? You will probably be sent to be evaluated by the WC IME or AME doctor to compare percentages if they feel it is to high.

You have Mentioned every area of the spine having problems, except S-1. Is it possible you can tell us what these problems are, and was anything done to correct any of them?

When you mentioned Lumbar isn't added to the WC claim, can you explain that too. Was it injured before? And how long has it been ok?

The rating you got is not Whole Body.

the AME will control. In the absence of an AME opinion, the findings of your other physician (s) will be determinative.
yes if the AME found you P&S.
No. the AMA guides don't add ratings together. There is a separate formula for combining ratings into a whole body rating.
Medical won't remain open if your atty settles with a lumpsum buyout (C&R).

AME was agreed upon by the IC and attorney.

I was treated for a L-5 herniated disc in 2001 and diagnosed with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. I recovered after PT and traction and continued to work with no restrictions. So how is the rating calculated?

1171, what is the formula for combining ratings? Thank you all for your responses.

it's in the AMA rating guides available from physicians, the local DWC office, or your atty.