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+--- Thread: Please Help - Just want to cry (/showthread.php?tid=9732)
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Please Help - Just want to cry - knightscape420 - 02-17-2010 01:41 AM
I have been in constant severe pain since early September(6 months). In December I finally got an X-ray and an MRI. I was diagnosed with a herniated disk in my lower back. I am 23 live in PA and am very frightened. In January I received a cortisone injection, which initially dulled the pain, but now it is all coming back. I am a student and college is tough enough without the physical pain of walking and sitting in class, not to mention the financial stress. My medical bills have just started coming in to add to the distress.
I am new to the insurance/workers comp world and need some guidance.
Originally, in the summer of 08, I injured my back @ work. I am a sound engineer and part of my daily duties was to lift and set up speakers. I injured my back, and went to first aid. They sent me to a doctor in town. The Dr prescribed me muscle relaxers (flexeril) and sent me on my way. This was covered by my employers workers comp. The pills helped but the pain came back. I returned to school after that summer and dealt with the pain. At times the clinic nurse would also give me flexeril because I said thats what they gave me in the past. Again the pain came and went.
This summer I worked for a different company, and continued to deal with what I thought was simple soreness. Near the end of the summer, it hit me. I woke up one morning to excrutiating pain, not able to bend, or sit up, or walk/stretch. I started to see a back Dr. and a Chiropractor. Started racking up $ in appointments and adjustments that didn't seem to help. Finally I got XRay & MRI and have a herniated disk. My Chiropractor says I've had this injury for a while now, but it just now showed its symptoms.
I don't know what to do. I'm already out of money for this and nothing has gotten better or helped. I know that the source of this was getting hurt in 2008. Is it too late to claim additional workers comp? I did hurt myself during summer 09 but dealt with it instead of reporting it. The original Dr gave me muscle relaxers-no tests were done resulting in no diagnosis. I Cannot just Deal with this anymore. It has gotten to the point where I miss class because I can't walk out of my house.
I live in PA. My permanent address is in Pottstown, PA, but for school I travel 4 hrs north to Mansfield, PA
I don't have money for a lawyer and the pain is always there. I just want to cry, but that doesn't help either...
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - bagpussinamerica - 02-17-2010 02:22 AM
I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I can not give any advise on the time limits for claims. There will be someone who can give that advice for you along soon. But do try to hang in there. You are here now, and there will be people here who can help.
As far as the debts mounting up. Have you called your medical providers and explained to them the situation? I know that most hospitals have a section who can work with you on payments. It is not ideal, but it is a start. Next, find your local food bank. Start getting on there so that you can get food and save some of the money to go towards some bills. You don't say if you live at home, or are living alone. If you are living alone, start to think about sharing, that will help a bit as well. Find out from your electric and gas people...whoever provides your fuel..if they have a non shut off policy during the winter months for those who are disabled. If they do, go to your doctor and get him to send off a letter or fax, whichever the provider needs, saying that for the moment you are disabled. Also talk to the provider about getting help if you are going to find problems with paying those bills.
Next I would go to the school that you are attending and find out who it is you can talk to about this sort of problem. They might be able to put you in the right direction as well.
Get your support group together now. Friends, and family, who can be there for you to help you when you need to discuss options. And stay on this site. There is always someone here who can help. Have you thought about moving back home, if you are not there at the moment, and have your parents put you on their policy...just for the short term. They might be able to do that. If they have insurance that is.
I wish I had more to offer. I am pretty new to the insurance things here in America...but I am getting to be an old hand at workers comp. I just don't know about the time limitations.
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - bagpussinamerica - 02-17-2010 02:29 AM
Actually new thought on this. You said that you were under workers comp to be seen by a doctor...so the company filed and you were accepted. Under those circumstances you may be able to get the case re-opened since you keep getting the pain back. In most cases if you can qualify to have the case re-opened if you file again within two years. The only problem that may well disqualify you is that you said that you worked again last year and was hurt on that job as well. What type of injury was that? I would talk to a workers comp lawyer and find out about the qualifications etc. I will do some more searching around and see what else I can find out. But again, someone here will have the information you need.
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - inpainokla - 02-17-2010 07:10 AM
hey knight just to start there gonna need to know what state your in to get you the information you need so post that and hang in there..some really great ppl will be on to help you..take care
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - Lilly - 02-17-2010 09:16 AM
Knights is in the state of PA.
It seems to me that if your orig WC case was not closed out, it is still open and they should be taking care of your care. But I certainly don't know the rules of your state.
You might want to check this out: http://www.workerscompensation.com/pennsylvania.php
Good Luck , Lilly
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - jayne - 02-17-2010 10:26 AM
PM Timothy Belt on here he is a Pa. WC lawyer he will know for sure...
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - inpainokla - 02-17-2010 11:28 AM
im an idiot i missed that
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - Tuffy - 02-17-2010 11:53 AM
Knight, Hang in there, there are several on the forum from PA, and they will be on shortly.
I would think if your original claim wasent closed, that it would have to be re opened or a new one filed....Mine here in Illinois was a new claim for repetition, but then I was still with the same employer. and there was a 2 year statue of limitations for reopening my old claim
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 02-17-2010 01:46 PM
It is my best opinion to you. Contact a Work Comp Attorney in your area. Now it is free anyways. It is highly possible your work comp claim is still open or can be reopened. The phone call is free....
RE: Please Help - Just want to cry - Still in Limbo - 02-17-2010 02:51 PM
Knight, I'm from Pa. and have been at This for a While!! You need to Contact a W/C Attorney, the First Consult is Usually Free, and They Work on a Contingency Basis, You Owe Nothing Unless They get You Money. You Definitely have enough Evidence to Possibly go Back on Your Old Claim, but the Attorney will be able to Tell You Better than I. I am Totally Disabled due to My Injuries in My Lower Back, so I Surely know the Pain You are in. Get Busy and get an Attorney so You can get the Care You Need, and in the Mean Time if the Pain gets Unbearable, go to the Nearest ER for Care. You don't want to End Up with Permanent Nerve Damage like I have, Believe Me it's No Picnic!! Best of Luck!!
