SIB (Supplemental Income Benefits) RTW (Return To Work)

[nancy1861@yahoo.com]

I broke my back 3/18/03 - I have an impairment rating of 46%. My IBS ends 8/14/07. To my surprise my Dr, Dr John Sklar of Ft Worth (WC has him in their pocket – a Concentra Doc), just gave me my first work release I've ever had! Neither of the doctors that performed my impairment exams would ever give me a work release!

I don’t know what to do. I made an appointment with DARS (Dept of Assistive & Rehab Service) I would LOVE to work – I was a workaholic - but I don’t know what employer could possibly hire me with my limitations.

Can I demand another doctor (perhaps one that did my impairment exams) reexamine me and contradict my treating doctor? (I’m stuck with Dr Sklar – no doctor wants an old WC back injury).

It just seems to be a waste of time -a increase of stress and pain - for me to look for jobs.

Thank you,
Nancy Nelson
nancy1861@yahoo.com

PS
I have my accident story (as of 7/4/06) on “my space” http://nancyn1861.spaces.live.com

My pain has increased & I had hoped for decompression surgery – but the myelogram 6/30/07 did not indicate it would help.

[jayne]

do you have a lawyer sounds like you need a good one

[nancy1861@yahoo.com]

jayne Wrote:do you have a lawyer sounds like you need a good one

Your question of an attorney scares me. I was looking (hoping) for an easy answer.

I was thinking I should “play their game” and look for a job – who knows maybe I’ll find one.
If an employer would hire me - I could work virtual (phone/laptop) from my bed or recliner – I could manage customer service calls, write employee work schedules – perform “spot” audits with customers via phone, virtual conference calls – and so forth.
And if I can’t get hired, then collect SIB.

I do worry that by “playing their game” – I could lose completely as I don’t know all their rules/tricks. My treating doc’s release is for permanent restricted duty - “DOT sedentary”, limited to lift less than 10lbs for no more than 2-3hrs per day (no way I could lift 10lbs 2-3hrs!). I worry that on my next visit he might change it to be less restricted. I wonder if I found a job, then couldn’t keep it how that would effect my WC. I worry how they might “twist” things.

The WC system is really hard to deal with.

[capricorn]

Hi Nancy....I fear that you will mess yourself up more without an attorney. Interview a couple BUT you need one. If you find another job you stand to really put yourself in jeopardy. After any IC Dr. sends an IW back to work with restrictions that you feel you cannot do it is imperitive that you seek a second opinion immediately after. Make it know the pain you're in adn the limitations you have. I find that most impartial secondopinions will step upto the plate and put you out of work until you have the treatment you need and are able to return to work.

CAP

[NewDriver]

And I CONCUR 100% That you NEED an attorney that specializes in WC law forthwith. As Limbo's signature suggests this is NOT a road to travel alone. You have tried to play by their rules so at this point you have to ask yourself, CAN you afford to CONTINUE to play by a rule book that is stacked AGAINST you? Once problems such as this develop in a WC claim you can count on them to only get get worse without immediate intervention by a law professional who will know how to LEVEL the playing field.

Also wanted to ask when you say you "broke your back", what exactly does that mean? Do you actually have a fractue in the boney structure or is it other soft tissue damage?

Good Luck to You
ND

[nancy1861@yahoo.com]

NewDriver Wrote:And I CONCUR 100% That you NEED an attorney that specializes in WC law forthwith. As Limbo's signature suggests this is NOT a road to travel alone. You have tried to play by their rules so at this point you have to ask yourself, CAN you afford to CONTINUE to play by a rule book that is stacked AGAINST you? Once problems such as this develop in a WC claim you can count on them to only get get worse without immediate intervention by a law professional who will know how to LEVEL the playing field.

Also wanted to ask when you say you "broke your back", what exactly does that mean? Do you actually have a fractue in the boney structure or is it other soft tissue damage?

Good Luck to You
ND

I had a multi-roll-over auto accident and then a semi truck hit my upside-down car. God, my seatbelt and airbags saved my life.
MRI Imaging 12/30/03:
• Severe compression fracture of T12 vertebral, 60-75%loss.
• Significant posterior retropulsed fragment of the margin of the T12
vertebral body superiorly, producing central canal stenosis and
compression of the spinal cord. See Image #6/14 off the fourth
sequence 12/30/03 This compresses the cord at the conus
• Additional vertical component of the fracture on the right
posterolateral margin, seen as high signal intensity change on the
trans-sagittal T2
• Abnormality of the inferior endplate of L1, appears to be Schmorl’s
node

Myelogram 2/19/04:
• Broad base disk bulge at the C4-C5 level, narrowing of the AP
diameter of the canal. Similar narrowing at C5-C6
• Broad base disk bulge less at the C6-C7

[Truckster]

HI NANCY1861,WELCOME TO THE FORUM........JUST TO LET YOU KNOW,YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE YOUR USER NAME SO THAT IT DOESN'T REFLECT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS,THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT MIGHT TRY TO SOLICIT YOU FOR SOMETHING IF YOU KEEP IT AS IS.....JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!!!

[AQA]

I really don't have much to add, other than I have an appointment with dars on monday. I will tell you what I find out from them. When I called them to set up the appointment, well lets just say I have mixed emotions. But we will see.

[Still in Limbo]

Hi Nancy and Welcome to the Boards! I can't believe they gave you a Sedentary at 10-20lbs. with the injuries you have! I have severe scar tissue at L/5,S/1 and a crushed S1 Nerve Root, and after two FCE's, both stated less than Sedentary and I'm only allowed to lift 5lbs.!! I think you should, if you can, have a second opinion on your Restrictions, in your condition 10-20lbs continuously could be devastating!!!