04-10-2009, 08:52 PM
In Oct of 2008 I hurt my back lifting a patient(i'm a paramedic), in phoenix, AZ. Did the whole workers comp thing and my case was closed in mid Jan of this year. When the w/c dr closed my case I still had lower back pain from his diagnosis of a pulled muscle, he knew I still had pain and the RN case manager documented that I had pain but was dr wanted my case closed. I dealt with the pain the best I could until mid march of this year. I then went to my own dr and paid out of pocket for a repeat MRI and referal to an orthopedic. I saw the orthopedic on april 2nd and was told i had inflammation to my facets at L3-4. The ortho set up an apt with a pain managment dr for steroid injections. On april 8th I hurt my back again at work when my partner dropped the gurney with a patient on it. I have 4 witness and my parter who witnessed the whole thing. I have not seen the pain management dr for the injections yet but I am worried the w/c will deny my claim since I sought help outside of w/c. I did file a second claim for my last injury but have heard nothing back.
My questions: Can w/c deny my repeat injury because I sought help from another dr without claiming w/c? Because all my pain originated from my first injury at work can I get w/c to pay for the steroid injections? If they work I will have nerve ablasion that will need to be repeated every year or two.
My questions: Can w/c deny my repeat injury because I sought help from another dr without claiming w/c? Because all my pain originated from my first injury at work can I get w/c to pay for the steroid injections? If they work I will have nerve ablasion that will need to be repeated every year or two.