Back Injury

[Road]

I am also a truck driver located in Wisc. Drove over the road for 22yrs and LTL for the last 15. I took a fall while delivering a 3000# pallet using a pallet jack to a costumers location. While pulling the pallet inside their building, my feet slipped out from under me, (they had a smooth shinny concrete floor) landing on my butt and back. There were two wittnesses right there and I got up, tried to brush it off but it did hurt..Reported the fall to a supervisor and continued on with my route. I worked for an additional 2 weeks in constant pain, lower back and buttocks, right leg and foot. Told supervisor I needed to see a doctor and was granted that and received 8 x-rays that showed a possible herniated disk. Went back to work and the trucking company sent me to see their doctor, he also took 8 more x-rays and after doing a test on my right foot and looking at the x-rays, confirmed that I had a herniated disk, 3 buldging disks and siatic nerve damage. Company put my on light duty per DR`s request and spent the next 90 working days in the office. The accident happened in April of last year and after seeing 2 back an spine specialists I ended up having a bi latteral L4 L5 decompression to releive the pressure on the siatic nerve that was affecting my right leg. However the surgery has not helped my lower back pain which is constant everyday. I have not returned back to work since the surgery and currently going thru a Work Hardening Program at the request of my back surgeon. I am scheduled for FCE in a few weeks and workers comp has given the ok on this..The FCE I`m having is NOT connected with Workers Comp, but not real sure what to expect from this evaluation..I can tell you that I am of retirement age, 63, and would just as soon retire as go back in the truck and do the physical work that I would be required to do. My company might offer me an office job, but it hurts to sit in any one position for any length of time..I have been extremely limited as to what I can do with any activites for almost a year now, but will say workers comp has been good to me and has not hassled me whatsoever..I have been receiving workers comp checks since I was first put on light duty and they are still paying me 8 weeks after my 12 wk recovery period...

I appreciate all the forums on this site related to the FCE tests and I`m currently working with an attorney who has told me he is not real familiar with the FCE as its a new requirement here in Wi..but he did say not to do anything over my limits, if it hurts, STOP..I also have COPD which was confirmed several years ago...So I am not looking forward to this 6hr evaluation..but after I complete this, I will come back to this forum and give details to anyone who would like to know, espicially those from Wisc...

I was told that after the FCE that the results will be sent to my surgeon to sign off on with restrictions for returning to work...and wondering just how long after that I can expect to settle with workers comp...I need the money as I`m not getting as much weekly as I would if I was working my full time job...

If anyone from Wisc has gone thru this, I would appreciate replys as what to expect, from the FCE as well as workers comp settlement..The attorney (I have not retained him) told me that I would be eligible for $300wk for 10 yrs. I may not be around in 10yrs and would like the settlement in a lump sum..if that is possible...

Thanks for listening, I`m glad I found this site as I had nowhere to go for advice...

[1171]

you should start your own thread as this poster is under Massachusetts rules which are very different from Wisconsin.

you need to be looking into vocational rehabilitation.
you are not guarenteed a lump sum and even if you get one it won't last long.
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc/Voc_Rehab/
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publication...7762-P.pdf

the number of weeks depends on your disability percentage; you need an impairment rating.
while permanent total is capped at 500 weeks, your rating will likely be a significant % less then that-- depending on your recovery level.

a laminectomy is only rated at 5%.
you can look at the rating guidelines here
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publication...7761-P.htm

[Road]

(03-26-2012 08:11 PM)1171 Wrote:  you should start your own thread as this poster is under Massachusetts rules which are very different from Wisconsin.

you need to be looking into vocational rehabilitation.
you are not guarenteed a lump sum and even if you get one it won't last long.
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc/Voc_Rehab/
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publication...7762-P.pdf

the number of weeks depends on your disability percentage; you need an impairment rating.
while permanent total is capped at 500 weeks, your rating will likely be a significant % less then that-- depending on your recovery level.

a laminectomy is only rated at 5%.
you can look at the rating guidelines here
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publication...7761-P.htm

---

Ok, thanks for bringing that to my attention, didn`t realize I was in the Mass thread...I`m new to this site, so will be more careful as to where I post, but I do appreciate your reply...My surgeon did tell me that the surgery I had will bring me a 5% disability, but will go up if there are restrictions, and he refered me to the Work Hardening Program along with the FCE...So guess I will just have to wait until that is completed to see where I stand..

---

Ok, thanks for bringing that to my attention, didn`t realize I was in the Mass thread...I`m new to this site, so will be more careful as to where I post, but I do appreciate your reply...My surgeon did tell me that the surgery I had will bring me a 5% disability, but will go up if there are restrictions, and he refered me to the Work Hardening Program along with the FCE...So guess I will just have to wait until that is completed to see where I stand..

[jeepstang]

had the clarification hearing and that went well now it will be seen before a judge to see if workmans comp will start payment again, it could be 8 to 12 weeks, so for the next 2 to 3 months im screwed .

[jeepstang]

I found out that my MMI is light duty 15 pds maximum and lately for whatever reason the left leg thing has been getting worse. I stay in all day basically and walk about 6 blocks to pick up my daughter, my leg is always burning numb and tingling one or the other all the time. long process for sure I just wish it would come to a head.

[jeepstang]

I have been taking gabapentin has anyone else used this? it started at 300mg 3 times a day but i was falling asleep alot, so they knocked it down to 100 2 times and 300 before bed, but the leg has been worse than ever i have thought of upping it to 300 again, anyone else have this issue with gabapentin which is generic neurontin?

[jayc123]

(04-11-2012 01:08 PM)jeepstang Wrote:  I have been taking gabapentin has anyone else used this? it started at 300mg 3 times a day but i was falling asleep alot, so they knocked it down to 100 2 times and 300 before bed, but the leg has been worse than ever i have thought of upping it to 300 again, anyone else have this issue with gabapentin which is generic neurontin?

Sorry haven't heard of it, but before going back to something that made you go to sleep there's tons of different meds, find one with your doc that suits your needs and you'll be better off, good luck

[jeepstang]

went to lawyer today and he continually referred to the herniated disc and the back injury but since the epidural the back dr and the neurosurgeon have both stated this isnt the disc injury but the nerve in front of the hip that goes to the leg, the neurosurgeon said i wasnt a surgical candidate and he only does surgery so it isnt helping him to say that, the lawyer I am almost sure has no idea there is a difference but if he continues to refer to it as the disc and back issue he is reaffirming the w/c status that its not a new injury, i sware i havent had anything positive happen since I was hurt

[PainandSmiles]

(04-11-2012 01:08 PM)jeepstang Wrote:  I have been taking gabapentin has anyone else used this? it started at 300mg 3 times a day but i was falling asleep alot, so they knocked it down to 100 2 times and 300 before bed, but the leg has been worse than ever i have thought of upping it to 300 again, anyone else have this issue with gabapentin which is generic neurontin?

Did they have you slowly up the amount of pills you were taking so your body adjusts to the dosage you are on?

I'm on the same medication and my doc says its the max and it does help a lot for nerve pain IMO.

[waynorth]

I'm confused as to why a doctor (neurosurgeon) would tell you that you must wait five years for a herniated disc to be absorbed. New, minimally invasive surgical techniques make surgery on herniated discs very successful. Five years ago I had two. Went in had laser surgery done, went home that night and it was like a miracle. Sciatica pain was completely gone and until I fell at work years later, I led a completely normal life again. If you haven't done so, I'd sure get a second opinion on why this isn't being offered as an option to you.

Good luck.