CHRONIC PAIN & WORKERS' COMP

[1171]

Chonic Pain is a common and difficult problem for the workers comp systems in this country to deal with.
It is difficult for many doctors to recognize and treat chronic pain.
Both need enlightened guidelines that acknowledge the condition as real and treatable.

Prolonged serious pain= emotional injury & disability

if you or someone you know is suffering from chronic pain and exhibiting problems with anger and depression get a referral for counseling and therapy.
it is only treatable with professional help.

[Manley2]

Wait, you mean somebody is trying to help the injured worker? That can't be. Doesn't WC want to get chronic pain written off as not a work related injury? lol
I have only read through part of the guidelines but it sure does sound like they want to help

[chrischris]

And now in California where Almarez/Guzman is final! We hope! Chronic pain can be rated using a combination of chapters in the AMA relating to the employee's entire injury, including the consequences.

DWC CA Quote: "the injured employee’s whole person impairment (WPI) under the AMA Guides; and (4) when determining an injured employee’s WPI, it is not permissible to go outside the four corners of the AMA Guides; however, a physician may utilize any chapter, table, or method in the AMA Guides that most accurately reflects the injured employee’s impairment."

En Blanc Decision is good law and a Petition for Review was denied on 6/19/2011:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/wcab/EnBancdecisio...ep2009.doc

[Sithie]

OMG to have had even an inkling of that when I fell!

[wwdoitover]

Hello,
I am a worried wife of an injured heating and air thec. in Nebraska. My husband was hurt at work in January 2012. After lots of P.T. and epidural shots, that didn't work he had back surgery in May and it failed maybe because he came out of surgery extremely sick, vomiting(bad situation right after lower back surgery) because of a reaction from the anesthesia, a problem that could of been prevented by a small patch($30 patch) that should have been, in my opinion, at least offered because we had no idea he would have the reaction he did, never having gone under anesthesia in his adult life. He had a second back surgery in December 2012 and had some pain relief for a few days (3-4) after surgery. Now the pain is back and he was released back to work just to be laid off shortly there after and of coarse no TTD checks coming, he has become very depressed!! I am wondering how to go about getting a referral so that work comp. insurance can be responsible for the expense, I feel that the situation he is in, stems from his injury and failed surgery situations. Can anyone tell me if my assuming they should be responsible for this is fair on my part or would we be responsible for paying for theses kinds of treatments?? Also would he need to get a referral from his surgeon beings he's the only treating dr. at this point? Thanks in advance to all how reply, need all the help we can get!!

[1171]

you should start a separate thread when there is a separate situation/problem.

yes.
counseling required as a consequence of treatment for a work injury would be covered.
yes his treating doctor should make the referral.

[wwdoitover]

Thank you so very very much!! I have many questions and I am so happy I found this forum. If I could do this wc experience over I would have done my homework a lot sooner!!

[1171]

any time you begin will help; it's a long process.

[lumbar laminectomy]

(03-18-2013 07:03 PM)wwdoitover Wrote:  Hello,
I am a worried wife of an injured heating and air thec. in Nebraska. My husband was hurt at work in January 2012. After lots of P.T. and epidural shots, that didn't work he had back surgery in May and it failed maybe because he came out of surgery extremely sick, vomiting(bad situation right after lower back surgery) because of a reaction from the anesthesia, a problem that could of been prevented by a small patch($30 patch) that should have been, in my opinion, at least offered because we had no idea he would have the reaction he did, never having gone under anesthesia in his adult life. He had a second back surgery in December 2012 and had some pain relief for a few days (3-4) after surgery. Now the pain is back and he was released back to work just to be laid off shortly there after and of coarse no TTD checks coming, he has become very depressed!! I am wondering how to go about getting a referral so that work comp. insurance can be responsible for the expense, I feel that the situation he is in, stems from his injury and failed surgery situations. Can anyone tell me if my assuming they should be responsible for this is fair on my part or would we be responsible for paying for theses kinds of treatments?? Also would he need to get a referral from his surgeon beings he's the only treating dr. at this point? Thanks in advance to all how reply, need all the help we can get!!

---

I am in the same situation.I am a a/c installer that hurt my back in may 2011,after a year they finally did a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy.It is now april and i am still not working,in constant pain,sciatic pain,lots of meds,benefits have stopped.I have worked for the same co for 27 years and they tell me i can go back to work.This has been a total joke and i go to mediation may 2nd.Any advice? 1 A/C MAN TO ANOTHER.I am in Fl.I would also like to see a mental health professional as this is the worst experience of my life!!!!

---

I am in the same situation.I am a a/c installer that hurt my back in may 2011,after a year they finally did a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy.It is now april and i am still not working,in constant pain,sciatic pain,lots of meds,benefits have stopped.I have worked for the same co for 27 years and they tell me i can go back to work.This has been a total joke and i go to mediation may 2nd.Any advice? 1 A/C MAN TO ANOTHER.I am in Fl.I would also like to see a mental health professional as this is the worst experience of my life!!!!

[1171]

(04-11-2013 04:52 PM)lumbar laminectomy Wrote:  I am in the same situation.I am a a/c installer that hurt my back in may 2011,after a year they finally did a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy.It is now april and i am still not working,in constant pain,sciatic pain,lots of meds,benefits have stopped.I have worked for the same co for 27 years and they tell me i can go back to work.This has been a total joke and i go to mediation may 2nd.Any advice? 1 A/C MAN TO ANOTHER.I am in Fl.I would also like to see a mental health professional as this is the worst experience of my life!!!!

you should start your own thread.
ask your doctor for a referral for counseling.
you can get a one time change of physician.