Patiently Waiting

[StephenAD]

I was recently injured at work. I was scheduled for an MRI this week and the doctor called me to reschedule the MRI because they said that my claim has not been approved or denied yet.

My question is how long does my employer have to decide if they will accept or deny my claim?

I need to get healed and back to work!

[Cycler]

While the answer to yourquestion is state specific, in general it can take a few weeks. But suppose they decline, then what ?

How about asking your Dr. to proceed with home treatment recommendations without an MRI or rather how will the MRI result change treatment ? There are very few injuries that require an MRI early on.

[StephenAD]

I am sorry. I am in West Virginia. If they decline then I seek a lawyer.

I have already visited the ER and my doctor. I have been put on medication to help relieve the pain. The MRI was ordered because of the results found on an x-ray at the ER.

Though an x- ray will not show damage to my disks, it did however, show distress to my lower disks.

While lifting a very heavy object at work, I somehow twisted just enough that an enormous pain shot down my lower back and into my leg. I took a couple of days off of work, taking IB , hot baths, rubbing the area with Ben Gay etc.. Only it did not get better, it got worse.
I began to not be able to feel my leg and I could barely get out of a chair without my wifes assistance.

I filed a workers comp paper at work as soon as the injury occured, I then filled out WC papers at the hospital and the doctor.

Now I am just awaiting a decision from my employer before I can get a diagnosis and any further treatment.

[Cycler]

one strategy is to return to the ER with your NEW numb leg complaints , maybe claim a little weakness as well and it never hurts to say something about not holding your water too well. The ER might just send you for an MRI right then and there ( most likely as they aren't worried about getting paid at this point) or even give you a high does of prednisone which would help also. AT least you will be moving forward.

[StephenAD]

I had the numb leg when I went to the ER the first time. They gave me medications (which my doctor has since changed) however, they told me that my doctor had to order the MRI.
I just spoke to my employer today. They have no plans to deny my claim and told me that they were only awaiting paperwork. The head hancho assured me that he was going to contact the main office and have them contact the places that they are awaiting paperwork from ASAP and get them to fax them immediately.

Now maybe since I got him to do this, things will move along a little faster.

Times are tough enough right now without having to go without pay while I am injured.