Flow Thru

[Netta]

I live in Ohio; I fell and broke my foot Jul 08, on the job. I now suffer from a right foot 5th Metatarsal Jones Fracture. I went back to work after 2 wks, and worked until Nov, pain in my left foot was supporting the right foot in the air cast boot. My doctor was out of town so I went to the ER doctor and was told that my bones in my left foot was now beginning to shift and move to support the weight of the air cast boot, and I would now need insoles made for that foot also.

When my doctor returned from out of town, I was told my left foot was a sprain. I was taken out of work for the 2nd time, because the right fractured foot had healed only to 40%, and I would still need to wear the air cast boot most of the day. I contacted an attorney and was told, what was being done to me is referred to as a flow thru; I still don't quite understand the flow thru part.

Now, I have a 2nd claim. The 1st time I was out of work, I got paid almost immediately, now it has been over a month. My company is self insured. My doctor asked for me to be approved for a CT scan, PT, and a bone stimulator in Oct, it took wc an entire month to approve the CT Scan, but they did not approve the PT or Bone stimulator.

Why is everything taking so long? when it is apparent that my left good foot is now affected because of wearing that air cast boot for so many months. Could someone please explain “flow thru” in layman terms”? and what is the difference between a sprain vs bones shifting? I go back to the doctor around the middle of the month; not having any money for bills/food makes me want to say, HEY JUST FORGET IT!!! I am so frustrated, I now have two bad feet and at 53 years old, I am no spring chicken that heals almost overnight.

[jayne]

well you came to a good place we have several nurses on this site that really answer questions you may want to post this on Off topics as some dont come to this one......WC is a slow process..... welcome to our world

[Netta]

jayne Wrote:well you came to a good place we have several nurses on this site that really answer questions you may want to post this on Off topics as some dont come to this one......WC is a slow process..... welcome to our world

jayne;
Thank you for your advice and the welcome greeting. It looks like you all are my new family. Netta

[hurt at work]

welcome and sorry ur here that means ur having problems.well the bone stim would be a good thing it should help you heal faster but they probably wont approve it as its exspensive and they dont want to spend any more then they have to.so hopefully the ct will help them see you need help like the stim and pt.i wish you luck were here for you come often stay late on the off topic side where you can see me pick on jayne.lol.

[1171]

In many jurisdictions it may be referred to as a "compensible consequence" injury.
You may understand it better by thinking of it as a side affect.
while the opposite foot injury is not consider caused by your work it is considered part of the original work injury claim because is flowed out of the work injury.
Disputes have to be taken to the work comp court. If they have rejected the opposite foot injury you can use your health insurance until there is decision.

[chrischris]

Flow thru, or compensable consequences are subject to the same investigation period as the original injury was. This often delays the acceptance of the claim, and s t r e t c h e d out as long as the law allows by the insurance carrier before acceptance or denial. As long as you and your doctor provide medical evidence of the new injury, you should not have a problem; just a delay.