Back to work

[Animal04317]

Yes I understand that but the part they didnt look at was part of my original complaint.

MJC Wrote:Animal,
A doctor will only treat the area that is being covered and accepted as your injury when it come to WC. They will not look at any other part of the body unless it has been accepted by WC as part of your injury. WC has to accept the liability of the injured part of the injured workers body not the entire injured worker. Hope this helps amd welcome to the forum. Take Care.

Cajun Hugssssssssssss,
MJC

[Cycler]

The area of injury may be well documented as to residual function or self -evident such as no repetitive whatever. THe FCE then guides the RTW specialist/ Voc manager in assessing skills transfer, alternate placement and the identification of non work related barriers to the job market. For instance if you cannot lift over X pounds repeatedly because of age, build, health etc then they will not be sending you for jobs as a dock worker even though this has nothing to do with your work injury. So, bottom line, the FCE is concerned with the big picture.

Animal04317 Wrote:Yes I understand that but the part they didnt look at was part of my original complaint.

MJC Wrote:Animal,
A doctor will only treat the area that is being covered and accepted as your injury when it come to WC. They will not look at any other part of the body unless it has been accepted by WC as part of your injury. WC has to accept the liability of the injured part of the injured workers body not the entire injured worker. Hope this helps amd welcome to the forum. Take Care.

Cajun Hugssssssssssss,
MJC

[marine8914]

The problem is that my thumb still unstable. If I am working as an EMT and I pick up a stretcher and my thumb redislocates there is a good chance I will drop the stretcher. So I understand where my doctor is coming from. And I dont want to put any of my patients in that position.

[Cycler]

Understood. My point was can your impairment be mitigated by a a device ? That's this part that you did not address in you OP and once that I think your surgeon would have addressed with you prior to his determination.

It may well be that the answer is obvious and need not be assessed but that was not part of your post.

[Still in Limbo]

Hi Marine, and Welcome to the Forum!! I didn't Notice if You Mentioned whether You have an Attorney or not, or if You have Contacted the Nurse Case Manager, or Adjuster attached to Your Case. They May be able to Guide You in the Right Direction, or get You a Second Opinion on Your Injury, and the Possible extended Care of it. A Second Opinion May find a Different Cure for Your Thumb Problem, there May be another Procedure Available to You!! Just a thought, and Have a Great Day!!

[marine8914]

The case manager says "I cannot advise you on what to do or not to do." I have seen multiple doctors. The doctor that did the surgery was the doctor that I chose. He was not the workmans comp doctor assigned to me case. However every doctor I have seen and talked to says the same thing. The surgery that was done is the only surgery other than fusion. We are trying to avoid fusion.

[marine8914]

I do not feel comfortable going back to EMS with or without a splint. The job I am doing now is causing more problems. I am thinking about quiting. If I quit and have surgery do I still get workmans comp pay (partial disability) since my doctor is saying that I cant perform my duties as an EMT (which is what my state certification/ license is for)?? How will that work?

[Cycler]

In my unlearned opinion you would be eligible for temp total payment while out of work to undergo surgery for the comp injury and the post -op recovery period.

[Junior]

Whatever you do, DON'T QUIT your job. You're always in a better position with WC if the employer terminates you rather than if you yourself quit. I think having an FCE done is critical here because it will allow the treating physician a basis for establishing permanent work restrictions.

[Still in Limbo]

Marine, if You go back to Your Dr., and explain Your Situation to them, and the Pain this Job is Causing they May be able to Pull You from Your Current Job until Further Testing, or Possible Surgery is done. But for You to have any Chance of Receiving TTD and w/c Assistance while this is going on, Your Dr. has to Pull You from Work, and then You and Your Attorney are going to have to Request Your Claim be Re-Opened. Quitting will leave You on the Street, with no Help, and no Resources. Call Your Attorney and Double Check what I have Told You, and Follow Their Lead! Best of Luck!!