So much for Macon

Specialties Agency

Published

Well, I was doing so well. I really liked the hospital, the assignment was good, the people were nice. And then.. I tripped over a strip between the carpet and tile at work. I filled out an incident report, but declined to go to the ED. Frankly I was afraid to. I couldn't afford to miss a shift, I figured I had just pulled a muscle and if I was careful and rested when I was off, I would be fine. But I didn't get fine. And it didn't feel like a pulled muscle. It got worse and worse. I got where I couldn't hardly walk and I spent all my days off in bed. My performance started to lag. I finally went to the doctor and got x-rayed. I had gone home on my off days and went back to workas the results wouldn't be back for several days. My husband called me on Monday and told me the Doctor said I shouldn't be trying to work. My hip was grossly deformed by arthritis, and I had many bone spurs. The fall had caused the final blow to my hip, I was in danger of having my hip totally go out on me at any time. I was not to work until after I saw an orthropedist. Now, I knew I had arthritis, I've had it for years, but even though I had pain in my hip sometimes, I never thought it was that bad, no one ever said it was that bad. I had to tell the hospital I couldn't work until after I saw an orthro MD. I also told the agency. The hospital has reacted predicably, they want to cancel my contract. The agency didn't return my calls for days. I am scared. Finally, I get a call from the workman's comp. people. I have never been treated so badly. She all but said I was trying to stick them with fixing a pre-existing condition. I told her that while I had arthritis, I had passed a physical before the assignment and that my performance was more than satisfactory prior to the fall, so much so they had asked me to extend my contract. I told her that had I not fell, I would still be working there and would have extended my contract. She said she would call me Monday, after she investigated further. My recruiter called and said she had called him and asked him if he had any doubts as to the legitimatecy of my claim. He told her that he did not. I am really scared now, I am the only means of support for my family, I have 3 kids, and I think they are going to shaft me. I am retaining a lawyer. Anybody got any better ideas?

Well, I was doing so well. I really liked the hospital, the assignment was good, the people were nice. And then.. I tripped over a strip between the carpet and tile at work. I filled out an incident report, but declined to go to the ED. Frankly I was afraid to. I couldn't afford to miss a shift, I figured I had just pulled a muscle and if I was careful and rested when I was off, I would be fine. But I didn't get fine. And it didn't feel like a pulled muscle. It got worse and worse. I got where I couldn't hardly walk and I spent all my days off in bed. My performance started to lag. I finally went to the doctor and got x-rayed. I had gone home on my off days and went back to workas the results wouldn't be back for several days. My husband called me on Monday and told me the Doctor said I shouldn't be trying to work. My hip was grossly deformed by arthritis, and I had many bone spurs. The fall had caused the final blow to my hip, I was in danger of having my hip totally go out on me at any time. I was not to work until after I saw an orthropedist. Now, I knew I had arthritis, I've had it for years, but even though I had pain in my hip sometimes, I never thought it was that bad, no one ever said it was that bad. I had to tell the hospital I couldn't work until after I saw an orthro MD. I also told the agency. The hospital has reacted predicably, they want to cancel my contract. The agency didn't return my calls for days. I am scared. Finally, I get a call from the workman's comp. people. I have never been treated so badly. She all but said I was trying to stick them with fixing a pre-existing condition. I told her that while I had arthritis, I had passed a physical before the assignment and that my performance was more than satisfactory prior to the fall, so much so they had asked me to extend my contract. I told her that had I not fell, I would still be working there and would have extended my contract. She said she would call me Monday, after she investigated further. My recruiter called and said she had called him and asked him if he had any doubts as to the legitimatecy of my claim. He told her that he did not. I am really scared now, I am the only means of support for my family, I have 3 kids, and I think they are going to shaft me. I am retaining a lawyer. Anybody got any better ideas?

Sorry catrn, I do not but wanted to offer you my support. I am sure you will get lots of good advice soon. ((((hugs)))))

Sorry catrn, I do not but wanted to offer you my support. I am sure you will get lots of good advice soon. ((((hugs)))))

Specializes in Critical Care.

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}, don't take what comp says personally, it is some a holes job to try and cheat you out of your compensation. You know that you injured yourself at work and so do they, they usually deny all claims the first time, I think it their standard, don't fret, you will prevail. Do what your Dr. says to do, you may have to use a doctor approved by the compensation so ask and find out. Hope you heal quickly.

Specializes in Critical Care.

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}, don't take what comp says personally, it is some a holes job to try and cheat you out of your compensation. You know that you injured yourself at work and so do they, they usually deny all claims the first time, I think it their standard, don't fret, you will prevail. Do what your Dr. says to do, you may have to use a doctor approved by the compensation so ask and find out. Hope you heal quickly.

((HUGS))) from me too. I had a on the job injury denied and I wish I had gotten a lawyer...you are doing the right thing.

My private insurer argued with my hospital's private workers' insurance program (not workers comp) for 3 years and I had to pay for everything myself in between. :(

Insurance companies don't care...it's all about the $$$. Glad you have a lawyer in your corner. If there is anything in your medical records about hip pain or problems they will use it against you, but your attorney will know how to defend against it.

Your lawyer will get you $$ for off work time, so try not to worry too much. I know it's hard.

Let us know how things go for you. You're in my prayers!

((HUGS))) from me too. I had a on the job injury denied and I wish I had gotten a lawyer...you are doing the right thing.

My private insurer argued with my hospital's private workers' insurance program (not workers comp) for 3 years and I had to pay for everything myself in between. :(

Insurance companies don't care...it's all about the $$$. Glad you have a lawyer in your corner. If there is anything in your medical records about hip pain or problems they will use it against you, but your attorney will know how to defend against it.

Your lawyer will get you $$ for off work time, so try not to worry too much. I know it's hard.

Let us know how things go for you. You're in my prayers!

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Wow. Sorry here, too. But keep the faith and allow yourself to heal. Worry slows the healing. Proceed with confidence that all will come to a good end...in time. I know the waiting is the difficult part.

Big hugs to you.

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Wow. Sorry here, too. But keep the faith and allow yourself to heal. Worry slows the healing. Proceed with confidence that all will come to a good end...in time. I know the waiting is the difficult part.

Big hugs to you.

Well, I got a phone call from the Workman's comp. nurse the day before my appointment with the othro MD. I asked her if he had been approved (ie, on their panel), and she told me he must have been because she had him down as who I was seeing. So I go to the appointment, get undressed and then all heck broke loose. To make a long story real short, my husband ended up calling the attorney from the Doctor's offce, who called the Worker's comp. adjuster, who, incidentally, had not been returning calls, and she said she was denying the visit because the doctor was not on the panel. I was summerily escorted out of the office without being seen and told my chart would be shredded. Needless to say, I went to the lawyer's office. So we have filed for a hearing. He asked for (again) the list of approved physicians, and she said she would fax it and the letter refusing treatment by that doctor. Instead , we get a fax from her saying, I'm sorry, I made an error. The Doctor WAS on our list. So I have made you an appointment on the 6th with the same guy. How's that for excellemt treatment? I am here, at home, in pain, unable to work and she says oops, I made a boo-boo, you really could have seen the Doctor today. She was very rude to the attorney and would not even listen to him. Now I have to wait another 5 days. I emailed my company and told them what happened and I got no response. They are not speaking to me. Funny how when I was working and going to extend, they couldn't contact me enough. I used to think my recruiter was great. I don't think so now. Better beware and protect yourself. I don't think you can trust anyone anymore.

What crummy luck ! Just goes to prove what others have posted in previous threads, about how the hospitals and agencies see us as very expendable and don't care once we are injured or ill.

Is your agency a local one or a national agency?

I agree, let the attorney handle it.

Good luck.

+ Add a Comment