New and have a question

[jayne]

you go agaisnt your Dr and it screws agaisnt your claim......anyone who has been in the comp world long knows that is the quickest way to get screwed is to NOT follow Drs orders....

[chrischris]

Either you can work (even part time) or you can't work all all.

Your dr. said don't work.

Your employer says work part time.

Dr. trumps employer; just provide his offwork notice to them.

However, I agree that it is always better to work at least part time if you are able. If you feel this is the case, return to doctor for an updated note saying you can work part time.

[Cycler]

OK, said another way;

In MY opinion Drs. often err on the side of over cautious and seem to be ignorant of the many peer reviewed studies that associate being at work with improved outcomes from work injuries. There are other journal articles and studies that have thoroughly debunked the old "bed rest" advice; i.e. stay home and rest for two weeks. Thirdly, there is a general sentiment among workers compensation claims professionals that the old school traditional chiropractors tend to create havoc in the workers compensation system with excessive time off work.

A good and knowledgable employer will provide work that is meaningful and useful as well as respecting the injured workers limitations of both ability and duration in the transition period between injury and recovery.

A good employer would not accept a blanket statement of "Off work two weeks" as it is not conducive to best business practices but would simply ask the provider for the injured workers current functional ability level and meet those.

In summary, there is little to no indication for being away from the workplace for the typical workers comp acute injury and no basis for "making it worse" with due consideration.

But AQA, I DO think that Drs. get it mostly wrong in workers comp.

AQA Wrote:1171, as usual. Well said.

Cycler, I am not sure about you. The statement " the dr. is usually wrong ". What are you trying to say????? What do you think the author is going to think???? What do you think others are going to think?????? You do have a wealth of information, but do you think anyone is going to take you seriously with the statement " the dr. is usually wrong "?????

[jayne]

I wanted to get back to work but the icecold receptition and the hissed"faker"from my co-worker made it a nerve wracking place....the stress made the pain worse...as I was the "boss" with just the one co worker it was very hard to work "with" her....it was easier for the main boss to just pay me to sit at home

[AQA]

Cycler, I am old school. I believe that if you get hurt you should just walk it off. However, there does come a time when you can not just walk it off.

This is just a time that our oppinions differ. That's all.

[chrischris]

Not all employers have the best interest of the employee in mind either.

When I had my "breakdown" at work, my WC doc took me off work for two weeks, to give me time to find a psychiatrist or psychologist. His note said I was "fully incapacitated" during this time.

My employer sent me a "demand" letter to return to work immediately and they would accomodate my "fully incapacitated" status. Very unprofessional and VERY sarcastic!

I faxed the letter to my C/A and asked that he contact my employer and explain the definition of "fully incapacitated." That's when I knew things would never be the same again! Just plain mean!

God had my back!

[Cycler]

Bad employer, Yes. Bad employees, bad Dr.s who run comp mills and bad attys who are in cahoots with them too. Each case has it's own issues but there is nothing in the OP's post to suggest a need for two weeks off work and various articles put an employer cost of some 5x wages on lost time injuries. That's a good way to poison a relationship.

[Bernie57]

I would have listened to my Boss and gone back to work
(if he asked) just as soon as he shows me the initials MD
after his name. Your doctor is trying to look out for his pt.
The Boss is after the almighty buck. At the risk of YOUR
life and limb. Bernie