Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hello everyone,

I am dealing with California Worker's comp. Date of injury was july 13th, 2007. Only MPN doctor in my area is a family practice doctor who doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground. Presented to him with a sprained ankle and Lumbar and Thoracic pain( had a fall at work with a 150lb air conditioner, which landed on me).

Went to PTP and was told "myfascial pain(sp?)", no exam or anything from him, ER x-ray showed soft tissue damage to ankle but nothing in spine. PTP did not even ask for x-rays. He set me up with 12 weeks physical therapy @ 3 times per week.

During the course of physical therapy the PT doc was doing some sort of massage on my lumbar when all the sudden I had unbearable pain in my back and an intense shooting pain down my left leg. Upon telling PTP this he said its nothing.

PT ended and I was in more pain then when i first injured mysef, and now walking with a cane due to pain and numbness in my left leg.

Referred to neurosugeon, he orders MRI. got MRI , advised 5 bulging discs from l5/s1 and up, with arthritis, and DDD. Advised he wanted me off work until this could be fixed. Sent to pain management.

PTP denies neuro request to take me off work. So I begin modified duties, due to the numbness I had several falls, all of which my PTP said "ok its documented, dont let it happen again" and sends me back to work.

Next they did a thoracic MRI which shows 7 bulging discs, arthritis and DDD.

PTP says PT is the only thing that is going to help me. Puts me off work for 6 months.

so right now, I am off for 6 months. Waiting for IC to approve PT. Still on pain management as pain has gotten worse.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give you the whole picture. Personally I think my PTP is out of his league, I am thinking of switching PTPs. My question is do I need to get a Lawyer before I make this decision?

I dont want to screw myself here. After I sent my employer the 6 month TDD paperwork yesterday, he got very upset with me and started complaining and then this afternoon he comes to me with a write up for something that happened 2 years ago, i think he is trying to build something to fire me on neglegence grounds or something.

anyway, any information would be appreciated. I am totally lost. My pain is not managed. By the way i forgot to mention i drive 9 hours round trip for most of my medical stuff.

Kris Miller

first visit with WC lawyer is normally free......if you are getting the runaround now well its just gonna get worse at least with a lawyer maybe you will get to see a better Doctor

I would absolutely REFUSE to sign any write up my boss tried to serve on me TWO YEARS after the fact! What a azzhole!

Take care, and try not to hurt yourself any further! Lilly

Sounds like your employer is trying to find reason to let you go.

I'm with Jayne, get an attorney.

you can change to any other doctor in the Medical Provider Network at any time-just notify the carrier.
the employer doesn't need negligence or any other excuse to replace you ( unless there are restrictions in a union contract). Federal law gives you 12 weeks of job protection while you are off work.
rules on use of the MPN are here
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/MedicalUnit/imchp.html
basic information on the california benefits is in the factsheets here
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/iwguides.html

Thank you for the information everybody. I think I will go ahead and switch PTPs. I am going to consult a lawyer as well, I dont want to get screwed in the end.

before you change Docs choose your lawyer........some states you can only change Docs once and you want to make sure you get a Doc who will be able to stand up to the IC

There is no limit to changes within the MPN in california.

cool thank you 1171

[/u][/b][b][u]

DUH DUH DUH and freaking IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!