Did something to my neck,...

[momthenRN]

Hey all,

I was working this week and was in an awkward position trying to recycle a monitor for a blood pressure and holding my patients arm still when I pulled something in my neck that traveled down my arm. Needless to say, I have had pain ever since. My coworkers knew of the incident but I did not report it officially for 2 days because I just thought I had a "crick" in my neck and it would resolve with rest/ice/anit-inflammatories etc. I did see the institutions selected clinic for treatment and now am on work restrictions until further notice. My question is this,...I am already getting phone calls from the workman's comp division and they are implying that this action that preceded my neck incident is "expected with my job." They basically were telling me that unless my patient was combative that this is not covered under the state's workman's comp laws etc. They were very rude and short with me when I described the incident.

Do I have a fight coming my way?? I need to continue treatment which is helping but my fear is I wll be left with my personal insurance company arguing with the employee health division about who is covering the bills. I just want to get back to work. I am not looking for compensation just relief so I can get back to what I love to do. Anybody have words of wisdom in this area? Any stories of success or advice to get through this frustration,....Thanks,....

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

I can only give advice from personal experience, but I got torticolis once, and got the runaround from WC just like you. I just dropped it, and went the personal insurance route. I know, I know- but it was much less of a hassle to get my claims covered for the MD visit & PT. I was fine 3 days later after beginning Tx, and went back to work.

Now, if it was something worse, I wouldn't have given up and done it this way.

My belief is that you will always have a fight on your hands when dealing with WC. That's their job. Just weigh your options, and decide which will work best for you.

I hope you feel better soon.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I can only give advice from personal experience, but I got torticolis once, and got the runaround from WC just like you. I just dropped it, and went the personal insurance route. I know, I know- but it was much less of a hassle to get my claims covered for the MD visit & PT. I was fine 3 days later after beginning Tx, and went back to work.

Now, if it was something worse, I wouldn't have given up and done it this way.

My belief is that you will always have a fight on your hands when dealing with WC. That's their job. Just weigh your options, and decide which will work best for you.

I hope you feel better soon.

but the med ins co could consider that fraud, and refuse to pay

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

IMHO, you need an attorney that specializes in WC cases. If you already have an incident report and tried to go through the normal WC channels, your regular health insurance won't cover it.

You really hurt yourself at work. You need to have it taken care of by the system that is in place. If you are unionized, get your rep involved, perhaps he or she can provide information regarding your rights according to your contract.

I hope you feel better soon.

Blee