Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

I hurt my Neck and Back in a fall at work on 3/15/09. Employer originally scheduled Dr appt for today 3/23/09, I refused, too much pain. They managed to get me in on 3/19/09 but all Dr did was say "Oh you hurt you Back" wrote 3 prescriptions and sent me out the door, no x-rays, no exam, nada.

Went back to work that day, pain was severe, asked to be sent to ER, didnt get response, so I got Union President involved and he managed to get me an appointment with an Orthopedic Specialist set up the next morning.

Orthopedic Specalist did x-rays (no MRI) and said was Cervical/Lumbar/Thoracic (?) Sprain andwants me to go for Physical Therapy 3 times a week for 4 weeks (he also wanted me to go off work but I ask him if I could try to work for now).

So I go back to work tommorow (12 hour shifts) who knows how long with the following restrictions-----, no sitting, no stooping, no bending, no lifting over 10 lbs, no repetetive tasks (I work in a factory, wonder how long this will last)

I go to Physical Therapist for first appointment/ evaluation today, they will not see me again until I have seen a general Neurologist as they feel they will do more harm than good because damage appears to involve the whole body and I also have Epilepsy which is Neurological as well (I have had 1 seizure since injury, which i believe was from lack of sleep, which is a big trigger for my seizures)

Should I try now to just go ahead and go off work?

Can the Seizure(s) be attached to the workers comp claim?

Any info is appreciated

I am in NYS so I do not know about your state. I was injured at work with a 3.5" tear in my L rotator cuff. My PCP had to write out a p/t script using dx, specific rx, x's per week,& # of weeks.
P/T will contact the Comp agency to clarify coverage. So far I have had 85 visits, surgical failure,.
My problem was Comp Ins. Co made the p/t company wait at least 6mo for any payments.
If you need a script and p/t will not honor it, I would contact the doctor. Best of Luck, Bernie NY

where in Okla do you live as I am also from Oklahoma....

You can not add your past medical into a work comp claim, unless you have a doctor to state and back it up in full.

Epilepsy which is Neurological is true, but isn't it a Brain condition?

Now it is true, if your employer wasn't informed you have or had Epilepsy, you would have a very long fight on your hands to try and claim Work Comp.

I'm in Henryetta, 49 miles south of Tulsa, 96 miles east of OKC

I'm not trying to add the past medical into a Work Comp Claim, I am wondering if it is being made worse by the injury. I should have explained myself better.

The lack of sleep that i have been getting because of the work injury has aggravated the Epilepsy. Lack of sleep is my major trigger for seizures. Since the injury, I have had 1 known, possibly 2 Nocturnal (sleep) Tonic-Clonic (Grand-Mal) Seizures.

Also, my employer is fully aware of my Epilepsy as I have had a full on "Drop & Flop" in front of all of them, which resulted in trip to hospital.

Thanks 2 all for your help/ advice.

That's good.

The issue of getting added into your claim, is going to get your treating doctor to relate the Seizures of your Epilepsy getting or becoming a major trigger for them because of you injury at work. It will be very tough though. In my opinion, you just may wish to see the Doctor that treats you for this, and talk with them on this issue first. I also know like you said the lack of sleep bringing them on, but also so does stress. Injuries will bring stress on also. Mostly what I'm trying to say and help you with, is it is impossible to say yes or no to your question. It's going to take medical work up to determine this for you. I only wish I could help you more with that question, but really I can't.

But, stick around, there are a great bunch of people here.

Thank You!