filed first WC - then was terminated...what to do?

[bagpussinamerica]

[quote=vickinat


If I do get assigned a case manager, what is their function in this situation? And if I tell them that I don't want them, do I have to make some other alternative arrangements?

I am seeing my own doctor again this afternoon and will start straight off with the copies. I keep seeing television adverts for personal injury lawyers, but actually think that if they have to advertise to get business they might not be so good. But I will look into them and see.

Yesterday was terribly overwhelming with the news and everything else that is going on. My daughter is very frightened since the last time I went into hospital things didn't go so well. That was in England though, so it could be very different here.
That time I had to stay in hospital for 10 days when it should have been only two or three and then was confined to bed for 8 weeks after. Not pleasant for anyone really. (I make a terrible patient, since I have been a nurse myself) Oh well. Best fortify myself for the coming days! I am so thankfull for all the advise and help that I am getting here. What an amazing site! Thank you all so much.

[bagpussinamerica]

Thank you for that. I just posted a reply to someone else regarding this very subject. I don't want to have someone hanging around me all of the time. I am quite wary as it is. The only reason I was looking into the SS stuff is because my neighbour said it would be wise to look at it and see what the situation was, to be prepared. Having said that, I am not the sort of person to just accept any disability in my own person. I work around everything and always have. But this injury caught me way off guard. Thank God that the employer actually had workmans comp since many private clients don't carry that. I don't have any health insurance so it reallly is important to me.

[bagpussinamerica]

Ok. I just got back from seeing the doctor. She tells me that W/C had had all the information and MRI results and everything since last Thursday. So.........I am thinking that the games are starting. W/C told me yesterday that she was still waiting on the Drs. Now here is what I do know about the injury. The cushion between the cartlidges between L1 and L5 or something like that....definately 1 and 5 has compressed totally and herniated to both sides. One side has completely pushed away and gone into the spinal canal, which has damaged a nerve there. L1 and L5 nerves are the two most badly affected. She is not an expert, but she felt that surgery would be the option. At that point in time....just 1/2 hour ago, W/C still hadn't accepted the case. So total limbo. The Dr. told me again...do nothing. I can not bend, lift, twist, turn, push, sit or stand for long periods. Basically breath and look and no touching! I can still laugh. I got home and phoned W/C person who is dealing with situation and she said she never received the MRI results until 2 hours ago. She has JUST accepted the case, but because my doctor didn't actually name a neuro surgeon she has now passed it on to what she calls the Medical Case Org. Who, she says, will look at the situation and pick a surgeon themselves. This time she was not all sweet and nice at all. She acted like I was bothering her big time and didn't trust her to do her job. Actually, I don't now. I immediately phoned the doctor and explained what was going on, she got all angry and said that they are playing their games now. So she is faxing the name of the neuro surgeon group that she is referring me to. That should stop them assigning me one. Hopefully. So now I know that I can do absolutely nothing at all. I am in no position to even to basic house cleaning. Can't drive for long periods, nothing. Oh, and apparently I have lost two pounds since last Weds. which now puts me at 104. Not good.

So am I right in guessing I should think about getting a lawyer involved? I forgot to ask for notes, but I will call the nurse and get that sorted for me.

[ksgirl]

I would say that it is time to get a lawyer. Having a lawyer helps protect your rights and helps you get the care you need. The lawyer should consult with you for free and then charge a percentage when the case is over. Mine charges 25%. I really hope that everything goes well for you. I had a herniated L4-L5, bulging L5-S1 & L4-L3. It's not fun at all and about any movement (or none at all) causes extreme pain. Sorry you are going through all of this.
Don't worry about the weight loss. I think most injured workers end up gaining weight. When you consider the lack of mobility and the medications they will put you on, it's not surprising that I/W's end up gaining. I only gained about fifteen pounds in four months and thankfully I am already losing it.

[bagpussinamerica]

ksgirl Wrote:I would say that it is time to get a lawyer. Having a lawyer helps protect your rights and helps you get the care you need. The lawyer should consult with you for free and then charge a percentage when the case is over. Mine charges 25%. I really hope that everything goes well for you. I had a herniated L4-L5, bulging L5-S1 & L4-L3. It's not fun at all and about any movement (or none at all) causes extreme pain. Sorry you are going through all of this.
Don't worry about the weight loss. I think most injured workers end up gaining weight. When you consider the lack of mobility and the medications they will put you on, it's not surprising that I/W's end up gaining. I only gained about fifteen pounds in four months and thankfully I am already losing it.

That was it! L5 and S1! and damage between L5 and L1. Man. And it is true, no movement. Shame I am not a picture or I could hire myself out! Hang myself on the wall.

[ksgirl]

At least you would feel useful! That is one of the things I hate the most. Not being able to do anything or be useful! I know, I will heal and it will be over, but I am soooo not patient!

[Tuffy]

Just a few words here about looking for an attornry, You have time to feel out a a few, before signing with one. Make sure He/She is a WC attorney and has a few years of experiance, Try and stay away from those TV attorneys. and make sure you are comfortable with whoever you choose. Most will not charge for the first consult so talk to a couple before making a decision. These are just a few opinions. Tuffy

[grundig]

@ bagpussinamerica,,,,,Can you say (with absolute Integrety) that you were let go from your employment for getting hurt????
By the way,,,,,why would you possibly want to leave the U.K.???? I,m moving there ,,,,,,soon.

[bagpussinamerica]

grundig Wrote:@ bagpussinamerica,,,,,Can you say (with absolute Integrety) that you were let go from your employment for getting hurt????
By the way,,,,,why would you possibly want to leave the U.K.???? I,m moving there ,,,,,,soon.

I just felt that that was the way it was handled. The girl that I take care of has several carers working for her. However, for the last three years, she has not had anyone who could cover my shifts. They were more involved and weekday mornings.....very early. So though I covered for several girls when they went away on holiday and baby leave, no one has ever really covered for me, save for a dinner shift here and there and swapping night duties. Then, during the summer, she decided to hire more people, again got everyone in, but no one to cover in case I went ill or otherwise. So I never too any leave. When the accident happened she still wanted me to come in, but I told her that I absolutely could not move. Then she told me she would see about cover and let me know. A few days later I got my pay slip, and an email saying she had replaced me. One sentance. Never asked how I was, or if I was going to be okay.........nothing. I know she had to get cover, it just seemed that instead of trying to get temp covered until she found out exactly what was going on.......I hadn't even had the MRI by then..she just found permanent replacement.

I didn't want to leave England. I loved it there so much. Unfortunately I met up with a guy that I went to High School with, fell for all of his lies, got married. Sold my house there got rid of all of my furnishings and moved myself ad my daughter here. Within a month I discovered that he had been in touch with approx 36 over the internet.......doing very interesting stuff, to say the least. Had told them all the exact same thing he told me. By then I had already cleared $40,000 of his debts....told me he wanted to start off the marriage by beind totally debt free.......of course I fell for it. Oh well. Lost everything. He walked out almost a year later, taking what was left. Including the health insuranc. Bad story. Anyhow. We are doing okay with me working crazy hours. But now.................?

Where in England are you going and why are you going there? You will love it. There really is a massive cultural difference, so be prepared. The language seems the same, but really isn't. Use differet words for different things.

[bagpussinamerica]

Ok. I am confused here. I got a letter from the State Fund......the insurars. They now tell me that I met the rquirements for referral to an MCO as my injury resulted in a total loss of wages. They say that I have to receive all mediacal services from them. And that my treating physician will be with them. The insurers will not pay for any mediacal services I receive outside MHS. Ok, this place is in Helena. I will have to travel to Helena for all treatment. Including doctors. I live in Missoula.....that is hours away! I can't drive for more than 20 minutes with out getting in alot of pain. I haven't even tried to drive for more than a half an hour. What is going on? Are they saying that I can't be treated by my own doctor and go the her referring Neuro?