Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

I have a bad feeling about this. I had a torn meniscus but kept working with the plans on getting it fixed when work slowed down but then ended up tearing it much worse at work, confirmed by mri and doctor..of course the insurance co is going to do everything they can to get out of taking care of it i assume. i am currently on restrictions that do not allow me to work and awaiting them to schedule a appt for a second opinion which they said they would do after reviewing my medical records, although it doesnt seem like anyone is in a big hurry.

I live in iowa and would like anyones input on my situation..do i need a lawyer yet? I want to be proactive and move this along as fast as possible. Or should i lay back and let the system run at its own pace?

There is so much to consider here. Personally, I would not get a Attorney at this juncture especially if the company is keeping you employed and will take care of your Work related Injury.
You are assuming the IC will drag there feet. Honestly, you should have pushed for earlier treatment if you were badly Injured but you figure a Doctor would have told you this. Most reputable companies will jump out of there pants to get a Work Related Injury off there books. Why did the company allow such a delay? Was is not real bad at the time?

I would never assume the worse before it happens. Speculation will cost you so be careful.
If you can get healed and retain your job, thats a lot this day and time. Push for your injury to be fixed and only get a Attorney if you have actual problems.

Well the first injury was work related but stupid me never reported it. I used my personal insurance to get it looked at and found out about the tear and was told surgery was optional at that point. I wanted to get it fixed but my employer asked me to put it off so i could finish a job i was overseeing, and since i let people walk all over me thats what i did. it was painful at times but i could work and if it bothered me alot i would take pain meds at the end of the day and keep at it.

I have brought this on myself to some degree but the recent injury is much worse and im just hoping everything will work out, but at the same time i cannot be iggnorant to how this may work out and or turned around back to me. I guess time will tell.

Depending on the time frame you might be screwed since you didn't report it the first time. Your employer could refuse to pay for anything. If you are lucky they will be nice to you and take care of things but some will be up to the WC carrier and not your employer. I for see a long drawn out battle but for your sake I sure hope not.

Get it fixed and get back to work ASAP. The longer you stay on this merry-go-round the harder it is to get off.

Well for now im gonna jump thru all the hoops,ive had a new mri that shows a large tear which, before my work injury, was a small tear. I have to have surgery. after they gather all my old medical records i was told they would get me a "second opinion" doctors appt. Of course a doctor in their back pocket im assuming. If they deny wc then i will use my insurance and get it fixed but until i get denied of course my ins cannot do anything. Im recieving benifits as of now so im gonna sit back and see what happens. I hate playing these kind of games but it looks like i'll have to for now.