Totally new to WC - work or not work?

[Centaura57]

I just notified my employer about a work related injury (repetitive injury) causing what I think is rotator cuff. I talked to the WC rep and they took down a recorded statement and said they'd mail me a form to sign for medical records release. That was a week ago. Still nothing. In the meantime I have stopped working because my arm hurts so bad I can't even do dishes or change my sheets - hardly anything. If I try to work, I'll make it even worse but looks like they will let me starve before doing anything....so do I continue to work and aggravate it? Does working and making the situation worse have any bearing on getting help from WC? Any idea on how long before I get to see a doctor and maybe get the ball rolling? FWIW, I live in KY and the company is based in TN. I work from home doing medical transcription - well, I should say I DID work from home. Any info appreciated!

[queenbee]

If they won't get the ball rolling first get medical attention for your injury even if you have to go to the emergency room.
Only a doctor can take you off work then call an attorney.
Contact your workers comp and tell them what is going on

[sparkey]

First you need medical attention. If you have to go to the ER before WC sets you up with a doctor to be examined, I would have you go to the ER or your primary care doctor. Tell whoever takes care of you that it is work related so that is documented. Your primary care doctor could take you out of work till you are seen by a neurologist for a EMG or other testing such as Xray to the arm/hand. Whatever the doctor recommends for testing.

I have recurring carpal tunnel syndrome/ neuropathy. It is my dominant hand. When this first happened to me at work, I was directly sent to their doctor and had a xray. The doctor gave me a brace and told me to go back to work. I was a phlebotomist, so of course with a brace i could not hold a needle.

They will most likely take xrays, put you on pain meds, do a emg, decide to send you to therapy etc etc. Most of the time repetitive injuries need REST. If you do not rest the injury, it will get worse and could even cause more damage.

I ended up with frozen shoulder because I was protecting my injury and tightening up while the IC sent me back to work light duty for 3 months. Finally my doctor pulled me out of work due to Overuse syndrome. It took me 7 months and 4x's a week therapy and still a year later i am no better.

Make sure you go to a doctor and remember to tell them it is WORK related. Definitly make sure that you start NOW taking notes of who you saw, how you feel, what the WC IC has done etc. Make a book of everything in case you may need a lawyer down the road.

DOCUMENT everything. This part is very important, and also to remember to think of YOUR health and not what your employer will do. You come first!!!!!

[1171]

it might be more convenient file a claim under kentucky law.
here's the guidebood to help with basic information
http://www.labor.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/97D...debook.pdf

"The employee may choose the treating physician and can change that selection one time, no questions asked. If the employer has entered into an authorized managed care program, the employee must choose from among the participating medical providers. Employees must notify the employer and insurance carrier of the physician choice. The employer or insurance carrier should deliver to the employee a physician designation and identification card once it is known that the employee requires continuing medical care.
Employees should ask treating physicians to promptly report their
status to the employer and insurance carrier."

[Centaura57]

Thank you all! I will do that after this coming weekend - have to visit aunt with guesstimate life span of only 4 more weeks, so want to see her before it becomes impossible. I don't know why, but I clicked to get email notifications of replies and I haven't seen any. I really appreciate the info. I haven't worked this week so far and won't be. I had no idea I could go to the ER, tell them it's work related and maybe get some kind of temporary relief. Obviously, WC doesn't tell you anything, just asks you everything. lol

[tweety00]

Just so you know they might not pay for it ..... But if you feel you need treatment then go but think about the cost to yourself if they dont pay

[Lilly]

Hi,
It makes me nervous for you, that YOU have taken yourself off work. Only a doctor can give you an "off work restriction slip". Why have they not sent you to an MD yet? Ask your HR dept head to assist getting you medical attention!
Prayers for you, Lilly

[Centaura57]

Well, here is a good one for you! They just called me and denied my claim and that's without having seen ANY physician. Good thing I didn't go to the ER, I'd owe thousands for an MRI!

They said I hadn't worked at the company long enough (6 months) for there to be an injury - I told her I've worked this job type for the last 8 years without any time out in-between jobs, just happened to start getting the twinges that got worse and worse at this "new" company and she said there was no injury - NO INJURY? I can't lift my arm 6" away from my side - no injury?

I don't know what to do - get an attorney??? Seriously, I can't move my arm without grabbing it with the other arm and "slinging" it where I need it to be. Can't do dishes, can't change my sheets, can't walk both dogs at same time, can't shower without taking meds. No injury. Right.

[kate]

When you say "they" just called, did you mean WC or your employer? If it was your employer, did they even file a claim?

Usually the only way they can tell if a repetitive injury is not due to a new job (and 6 months isn't that new) is by a doctor's report. This sounds like they just made an assumption without anything to back it up.

You need to find out first if the employer even filed a claim. If not, follow 1171's advice and file a claim yourself.

Also, under WC, you can't just take yourself off work so you may have a problem getting reimbursed for time missed even if they do decide to accept the claim since a doctor didn't take you off.

Don't wait around for the employer. Find out if a claim was filed and if not, do it now.

Also, document, document, document!!! Dates, times, persons spoken with, etc. That includes employer, WC, doctors, etc.

[Centaura57]

They = the lady from "security risk services". I am under the belief that this is the company's WC representative. All I have is the phone number and the lady's name. Since I can't record, I have written down the gist of the 3 phone calls and dates and times. I understand I may go without pay, but I thought I had to wait to get clearance from them and since nothing happened in the way of contact from them, I called the WC rep - that's when I was told it was denied (without ANY medical eval) and why it was denied and that I'd receive a letter within the next 3 days at most, telling me it had been denied. I can't work....so time to lawyer up?