Frustrating Injury

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2011

I feel for you. After working for an orthopedic surgery practice and dealing with the workers' comp case managers, I would do anything in my power to avoid being treated under work comp.

Good luck to you. Don't ever stop being the squeaky wheel if you think you're not receiving adequate care.

kessadawn, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2011

Good luck and fast healing to you! We've been battling WC for years now after my husband was hurt at work, may I recommend hiring a lawyer who specializes in WC to help cut through all of that red tape, one of the best decisions we ever made. Best wishes!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2011

Good luck, feel better.

GET A LAWYER!!! :smokin:

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

I don't know if this will help you but I've had neck problems for years, (not work related) and the only relief I have gotten has been chiropractic. Even if you have to pay cash I would recommend you think about it. I can't tell you how profound the difference has been between suffering and relief. Best of luck.

Isabelle49 · Mar 30, 2011

Greetings all...
So here I am a Nurse who was injured at work about 3 months ago. Workers Comp is a new experience for me. Never injured on the job like this. Got a Neck injury supporting pt. (very large) from hitting the floor. Yes I know we are not supposed to "lower them to the floor". But who can do that? I mean it was a reflexive action to stop another human being from being hurt.
Anyway, here I am and to tell you the truth, I'm getting to the end of my rope. No nothing like that! But the level of frustration at not working is getting to be to much. I will not even get into economics - Workers comp rules state that MRIs are only utilized after other treatments have been tried and symptoms persist. Well PT, Trigger Point Injections all done and symptoms persist. Now I am being sent to an IME (Indep. Medical Exam) to be examined by yet another MD...its maddening. I told my Ortho that if I got hurt in a car accident, I would have had the Dx tests needed, treatments and be back to work.
Yes, I've called the Ins. Co. who politely told me their hands are tied with new WC rules.
Okay enough complaining, thanks for listening

Do you have your own health insurance? If you did, you could have tests without approval of WC.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

Do you have your own health insurance? If you did, you could have tests without approval of WC.

Fact of life: Most (if not all) health insurance providers will ask the standard questions in the event of an injury:

"Where/when did this injury occur?"

"Were you 'on the clock' when this injury occurred?"

If the circumstances point to an on-the-job injury, the major med health insurance will defer to workers' comp.

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 30, 2011

Nov 2009 had car accident between HH patients. Workers comp covered hospital and therapy. I had to miss some hrs of work for therapy, but still got full work load and lots of sh**. And I broke a crown in the accident.. Apparently this had never happened to a nurse before???? Went to two dentists who both said it had to come out and recommended an implant......Finally the condition of the tooth was cutting my mouth so agreed to have it out. last August then they refused to pay for implant or any thing. It was a molar.. From chewing on a non-molar(other molar had been pulled for braces when I was a kid) the other tooth broke and I ended up paying for a partial..

MY opinion workers comp is a huge rip-off and a joke. I was fighting it and they believe it is still an open case.... :confused:

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 30, 2011

A physician should keep the employees best interests in mind, but remember.....the physician who is treating you for workman's comp is directly answerable to the facility. They get very little latitude, and are not allowed by the workman's comp insurance carrier to prescribe expensive tests and treatments until more conservative treatments fail to fix the problem.

After 20 years of nursing, I was hurt on the job. After 4 weeks of Physical therapy, imposed activity restriction while at work, and not being able to envision making it through a whole shift if placed back on full duty, I informed the workman's comp Dr. that if I didn't get an MRI, my attorney would get one for me. (I was VERY stern in this regard). Voila - I was in the MRI tube within 8 days with an appointment to see an Orthopedist.

In regards to consulting with an attorney, be advised that MOST attorneys will offer one free consultation. Shop around and consult with several different attorneys. If you think that your employer is only required to cover the cost of your treatment, then you are going to be AMAZED to find out what you find out after consulting with an attorney!

Whatever you do....don't just lie down and let the waves wash over you. Stand up and walk towards the shore till you get your feet on more solid ground. The workman's comp system has been horribly mismanaged, and there is not one single person in the system at your place of work who gets 'bennies' from making sure that you get your due.

Hang in there. You're not alone.

kessadawn, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

Do you have your own health insurance? If you did, you could have tests without approval of WC.

If the injury is part of a WC claim, your own health insurance will deny payment in my state, forcing you to use WC.

DeacJn · Mar 30, 2011

Thanks for all your replies...I'm really just feeling down right now. BTW, there is NO way I can utilize my rather good private health ins. (which I pay for!). Since its WC it has to play out with them. In my state, they just this past Dec. changed their protocols for Dx tests. Lucky me. I know another ED nurse who was assaulted in the ED by an "unhappy customer" and her family, was cut and broke his wrist. WC delays have now resulted in bones fusing in the wrong way so Sx will be needed. I really hope these are exceptions. You know I've never had anything to do with WC in all the YEARS I've worked. Crossing their path makes me feel like I did something wrong. Kind of like a home owners Ins. coo that cancels when you put a claim in and your only previous contact with them is to pay the bill.

Anyway, thanks again for listening

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

I totally agree with been there done that, get a comp lawyer. At least in NY you do not have to pay the lawyer upfront, he was paid out of the settlement. Watch out for the independent doctors, the one I saw did not examine me or look at my MRI....he said he did though....don't trust them. Take a witness.I definetely would not try and put this through your own insurance...that would be considered fraud. I feel for you and hope you get better soon. Comp injuries stink:crying2: