pt's thinks I am ready to go work. ( WI )

[bronco54501]

To make a slong story short. Been doing thereapy since March. If anyone has seen earlier posts I have lots of screws and hardware put into my hip pelvis area. I dont bend like I used too, and I do alot of kneeing and bending over at work. And of course the lovely ( NCM ) says they prob will send me back with no restrictions. What the ....... I have followed every thing to the T and have been doing a back to work training for the last 2 months. They know of my problems, so now my PT is saying 2 weeks and I'm out of there. Makes me wonder who my pt is working for. The doc handling my injury told me I had 3 weeks to get off oxycodone. I left his office and have not took one since. Withdrawls--- yep, Its been 4 days hope they start getting better. Called lawyer on this matter and he says normal procedure, get back to work and see if you can do it. Says I dont need him yet, well why did I sign with him? What to do--------- Any suggestions?

Any from you 1171, is this normal?

Or is my lawyer not doing his job, WC has treated me fine as to this point.

[Lilly]

Hi,
If your doctor releases you to go back to work....you must try it. i can't imagine him allowing you to RTW without some sort of restrictions. possibly he'll send you back for light duty only with restrictions. you must stay within any restrictions he has written for you, and so must your employer comply. I can't imagine doctor sending you back with no restrictions if you have all that hardware in you and must do alot of bending & kneeling. Your NCM does not have the power to say when you must RTW...only the doctor can do that. She's just shooting her mouth off. If you do return to work, and cannot do it because of pain....ask to see the doctor , or go to ER if need be. Good luck, & good for you, if you are able to RTW successfully!
Take care, Lilly

[stiffnecked]

That is the whole goal of the program, to get the injured worker back to work. If you cannot physically do the work after trying to return then the next step starts. WC is not meant as a permanent vacation.

[bronco54501]

stiffnecked Wrote:That is the whole goal of the program, to get the injured worker back to work. If you cannot physically do the work after trying to return then the next step starts. WC is not meant as a permanent vacation.

Stiffnecked.
WC is not meant as a permanent vacation. I dont know how to take that remark. I am not stupid, Nor was I tring to skate free.
All I am asking was this normal and should my lawyer be involved in this step. And as to your permanent vacation. I was stuck in a hospital bed for 4 months then 2 a wheelchair for another 2 months then a walker to a cane. WOW thats a vacation. Not to mention pt and ot, I swear you must be a adjuster.

[jayne]

no a long termer...But sometimes we must be blunt...you must understand many of us would love to go back to work.I for one many of us are taking collage courses to get back to work(not I )you are a newby we dont know you or the way you think yet....since we cant see your body language or hear the tone of voice we sometimes take things wrong hell between long termers we sometimes take things wrong..just explain to us and go on

[Bummer Knees]

bronoco 54501

I have been off work for 30 months, and recently was released to return to work with restrictions. I am on medical leave from my job and worked as an Early Childhood Teacher for 10 years previous to my injury.

The work restrictions the doctor gave me list; work 1/3 of the day, no lifting over 25 lbs, no kneeling, no squatting. Although the restrictions sound mild, I will never return to the work I once did because of the physical requirements of my job. My employer refuses to accomodated my restrictions.

Returning to work depends on the type of work restrictions you receive from the doctor and whether your employer will accomodate those restrictions.

[Still in Limbo]

Bronco, Maybe I can Offer My Opinion,and I Hope it Helps. I don't See the Need for Your Attorney at this Point, as the Others Said when You are Released to Work Your Dr. should Send You back with Restrictions. If, after trying to Return to Work if Your Employer Accepts Your Restrictions You feel You are in too Much Pain, You May Ask to be Returned to Your Dr., for Additional Testing. At that Point Your Dr. could do a Number of things, such as Raising Your Restrictions, or Pulling You from Work. If You are Pulled from Work, Your w/c Payments should be Returned to You, so that You either have More Time to Heal, or to Possibly Retrain You for a Different Line of Work,(Vocational Rehab.). Now Everything above is Based on whether Your Employer has Work within Your Restrictions, if they don't, You should continue on w/c until another Decision is Made to either Retrain You, or Possibly Settle with You, and let You choose Your Own Work Field. If Your Dr. has You Permanently Disabled, which is Rare, You May enter into Settlement Talks with the i/c for Your Employer, or they May just Continue to Pay You, and Send You for another IME (Independent Medical Exam) to show You are not Totally Disabled as per their Dr., and then it's Hearings Time, for a Judge to Decide which Dr. is More Credible. So as You can See this is just One Scenario, and You need to be in Contact with Your Attorney during this Entire Process, and if Something is being Done Incorrectly, that's when they will Step In. I Hope this has Answered Your Questions, and Please keep Us Updated!!

[Cycler]

if you fail at initial RTW or an FCE clearly demonstrates you do have impairments that are an impediment to full duty the employer may then be obligated to make reasonable accommodations so that you might do essential components of your job. The employer is NOT obligated to create a new job for you nor to bring you back to do the non-essential components of your job. If that doesnt work out then vocational help may be in order but eh prime goal is always return to old job in pain or not. You are free to decline to return to that job of course and job retraining may be justified, all cases are different. No need for an atty as there is nothing being disputed.

[bronco54501]

Hello Everyone.

And yes Jane I am a newby, and do understand people cant see what others are thinking. And I sure wouldnt asume anyone who has been on wc for a long time is not enjoying their vacation. We all have our own problems, some more some less. I may have jumped the gun on stiffnecked, I hope I didnt offend anyone. As to the answers and opinions, thanks.

Still in Limbo-- You hit it right on the spot, Thanks.
And thanks goes out to everyone that makes this forum possible.

[bronco54501]

Cycler Wrote:if you fail at initial RTW or an FCE clearly demonstrates you do have impairments that are an impediment to full duty the employer may then be obligated to make reasonable accommodations so that you might do essential components of your job. The employer is NOT obligated to create a new job for you nor to bring you back to do the non-essential components of your job. If that doesnt work out then vocational help may be in order but eh prime goal is always return to old job in pain or not. You are free to decline to return to that job of course and job retraining may be justified, all cases are different. No need for an atty as there is nothing being disputed.

Thanks Cycler.
And again thanks to everyone.