Pls. help! My employer wants me back but I'm not ready yet

[angleye]

Hi everyone:
I injured my back at work and been off work for a few months now. On top of my prescription drugs for pain and muscle relaxers, my doctor also sent me to a physiotherapist for three sessions a week. The PT sessions have been a great help and am getting better slowly but I still have a persistent sharp pain, frequent stiffness & tightness, and it doesn't take much for my back to get fatigued. A while back the insurance company sent me to their doctor. The doctor examined me for almost an hour and then sent for an MRI and EMG. The MRI shows two lower back bulging discs and the EMG says the response from my left leg below the knee is slow indicating a possible nerve damage at the root level. The doctor sent the final report to the insurance company a month later day before yesterday. It says that although I am not 100%, I am ready to go back to work with few restriction. In spite of my primary doctor's instruction to continue with physiotherapy to deal with the frequent stiffness that happens every 1/2 hour, the insurance company's doctor concluded there is no further need for PT. Now my employer wants me to get back to work immediately even if I told them that I won't last more than 1/2 hour before I get fatigued and my back stiffens. They're saying "just come to work and seen if you can handle it, if not you can ask your doctor to extend your leave for physiotherapy when you see him next week"
My question is: Should I go back to work and do a follow-up with my doctor next week knowing that I won't last for more than a day? Is this a trap by my employer and the insurance company? Will this jeopardize my temporary disability benefit in any way? I don't know why my employer is trying to rush me back to work even though the doctor's report says I am not 100% and I know I am not ready. Will I get fired if I say no to my employer.
Thanks in advance for all your replies

[jayne]

if the doc says back to work you must go......if you dont they can and will fire you......it is past time for a lawyer my dear cuz you cannot fight these people alone....My suggestion is to try and go to work sometimes just getting back to work helps you mentally and if you get where you cant work cuz you stiffen up call 911 and get an abulance to take you to an ER......

[AQA]

The way I read the post is that of a medical oppinion. I as many suffer from a back injury. If your employer wants you back, so be it. The question is, what does the doctor say. Your health is what is at risk.

[angleye]

jayne Wrote:if the doc says back to work you must go......if you dont they can and will fire you......it is past time for a lawyer my dear cuz you cannot fight these people alone....My suggestion is to try and go to work sometimes just getting back to work helps you mentally and if you get where you cant work cuz you stiffen up call 911 and get an abulance to take you to an ER......

Thanks for your resposne, jayne
What do you mean "it is past time for a lawyer my dear cuz you cannot fight these people alone" Is it too late to talk to a lawyer?
Thanks

[tweety00]

nope just probably time that you get one ..

You need to try going back to work ... or they will look at it as not trying

[sparkey]

unfortunatly when their wc doctor says you have to go back in that condition, you do. If your work can find LIGHT DUTY then you have to at least go try it or you could lose your benefits. At least that is how it was here for me in NH.

You should be sent back with RESTRICTIONS and if you cannot do it the first day, then leave work like others said, even if it is by ambulance. Unfortuantly these unsensitive people do not know how it is to be in PAIN and have to do work. Your probably at home and unable to do anything and now they want you to get up, get dressed, drive and go to work all day. I feel for you as this has happened to me and many others on here. But if the doctor says you have to go, you have to go and at least try, or you would be considered going against the wc policy.

[jayne]

its time to lawyer up

[Lilly]

Remember...DO NOT go beyond your MD's restrictions....even if you are threatened with job loss! If your doc says go back to work....you must try or WC will get you for non compliance. If work becomes too much for you to endure, do as the others say....let your superior know, then get yer behind to the ER ! Be careful to #1.
Prayers for you...Lilly

[jayne]

just as an example....their doc said I could go back no restrictions I was just fine........I knew there was no way.....My lawyer and my Doc said no way......But my TTD checks were stopped per their docs ok for me to go back to work...it was 8 months before I saw another dime from them...We had to go to court and the court ordered IME Doc found 4 more ruptured discs their doc didnt find........go figure their doc was 110 years old came in smacked my knees with a hammer and walked out......The court ordered Doc did a disc o gram......amazing so be prepared for your TTD to stop if you dont lawyer up and even then they may stop

[Still in Limbo]

I'm not Sure of the State You were Injured in, but I'm in Pa., and when their Dr. said I was able to Return to Work, and My Dr. said "No Way, Permanently Disabled", and by having a Lawyer and Filing a Petition for the Judge to Review My Medical Condition, My Checks have Continued throughout the Proceedings, and the Judge Decides whether I Return to Work or not, which I Surely can't do. I am telling You this because You have to Learn Your States Rules and Regulations, and when in a Situation like Yours, an Attorney that Specializes in w/c could Really be a God-Send, and Help You right now. You May want to Start Looking for One, You can Surely bet the i/c is Sending Your Info. to their Attorney for Review!!