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sparkey · 07-16-2007, 08:54 PM

I have been out of work with reacurring carpal tunnel syndrome and workers comp. Just had the doctor put me on light duty starting next week. I am only able to use my left hand. I lost my career i had at the hospital and will be placed in a new position. How long do i have to work temp. light duty before i can find a job that i would like to do while injured? They have not diagnosed me yet and still having alot of pain. I go to have more test in two weeks. In the meantime i am awaiting for my light duty task. I was offered a grant to do one more class to be a biotech and i need to see the work description to see if i would be able to go through with it with limited abilities. If anyone knows how long i have to work light duty where i am please let me know the law. Thank you.

1171 · 07-16-2007, 09:01 PM

Generally there is no limit; you can find new work within your restrictions any time. the comp laws are different in each state; you didn't put yours in your profile. Make sure you clear any new duties with your doctor and report earnings to the comp carrier.

Bad Boy Bad Boy · 07-17-2007, 08:43 AM

(They have not diagnosed me yet and still having alot of pain)

In the above you wrote, causes confusion to the fact of having carpal tunnel syndrome. We would also need to know what State you in? As said above. And how long you been out of work? If you haven't been diagnosed yet, why would the Doctor put you out of work, or light duty?

sparkey · 07-17-2007, 12:15 PM

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:(They have not diagnosed me yet and still having alot of pain)

In the above you wrote, causes confusion to the fact of having carpal tunnel syndrome. We would also need to know what State you in? As said above. And how long you been out of work? If you haven't been diagnosed yet, why would the Doctor put you out of work, or light duty?

Sorry i did not say what state i am in. I am in New Hampshire. I am a phlebotomist and in Jan of 07 i started dropping things and was in so much pain i had to leave crying. I was told to fill out a workmans comp paper and they sent me to a doc to be checked out. I was put on light duty for 2 months with a brace and the pain continued really bad and i ended up getting pulled out of work by the pain clinic doc with overuse syndrome. I have been going to therapy for 5 months now doing OT and PT 4 days a week. 2 days for OT and 2 days for PT. I had an emg in Feb. which showed mild carpal tunnel but i already had the surgery in 1998. Noone wanted to do surgery yet until another EMG was done and therapy etc. Well i just had another EMG last week that showed the same. Still mild carpal tunnel. The EMG doc suggested i had signs of RSD, but the PT/OT people think it is my neck and shoulder causing all these problems. My hand changes color and the pain in my Hand/wrist/shoulder are 24/7. I have been put on Methadone for pain 20mg a day after no success with perc's or vicodin. Now WC IC wants to put me back to work light duty. I saw the occupational doc that said i can go back as long as i do not use my right hand, lift no more than 10lbs etc. I am curious as they asked if i think i could ever do phlebotomy again, and i said " no" that i need to find a new career. What rights do i have for how long i have to work light duty for the same company? That is my question. I want to move on and go to school for a new career change that would fit my problem. Thank you to all that answer : )