I just figured out how to prop my mostly dead wing on some pillows

[tavalon]

Now, I can use it for typing (for now, with this cervical neck thing, I may be able to do less or more from moment to moment) so I'm available to type endless, inane stupidities for hours. I've been stuck most of the last week reading DU but being unable to write anything.

Look out DU, here I come!!!!


(C4-C5 bulging disk for anyone who wonders. I'm getting a first hand experience of how an on the job injury claim gets handled. So far, not so impressed)

[yewberry]

1. Ooooh.

Yikes--sorry to hear about that. I had a very similar situation, and it sucked rocks. Traction was the only relief I got.

Be careful!

[radwriter0555]

2. HIRE a worker's compensation lawyer NOW before you do anything else

or get any more "care"... please?

Your employer via WC has LOTS of lawyers, so you absolutely must too, immediately.

In the very least they'll assure you get the best care possible. And you should end up with settlement as well.

The first thing to do is make sure your lawyer requests an MRI immediately if you haven't had one.

Get well soon, and get on the WC lawyer fast track before another day passes. Good luck.

[tavalon]

3. Honestly?

It never really occurred to me. They've been really good about everything. Though slower at getting the EMG than I would have liked but I've already gotten an MRI and have been sent to a person who is supposed to be a really good orthopedist. I'm new to the area so I don't know who is good and who isn't.

My company is self insured and I haven't even needed to show my insurance card, they just write the claim number on everything and it's being taken care of.

[radwriter0555]

11. THEY have lawyers. YOU need to make sure you're receiving the BEST

care you can possibly get, because let me tell you, the WC docs are NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT the best in the business by any means.

I can share 2 horror stories, my own and my co-workers, my co-worker's is far, far worse. He will never, ever work again after dropping a paint can on his finger.

That's right. He's now permanently disabled thanks to the a little error made by the WC surgeon. He dropped a paint can on his finger, not a big deal you would think? WC decided to try to repair some minor nerve damage; the finger was simply numb.

After the operation the guy is a permanent zombie with the horrific pain. 3 years. He's drugged up, tranqed up and in permanent, serious, chronic pain.

He didn't have a lawyer making sure he got the best surgeon and the best care.

I suffered a repetitive motion back injury on the job. I received no care other than the offer of a russian massuese and electric stimulation for my first 30 days and even then they said it was merely a 'courtesy'. No MRI was done, I was put on my stomach for the 'therapy' causing me far, far worse pain than when I walked into the establishment each day, and so on. They refused to let me see my chiropractor unless I paid for it myself, and so on. I finally went to their selected chiropractor who refused to touch me since the injury was so painful; he then never submitted my records to WC, who then dismissed the case saying I didn't go to their appointed doctor. Luckily THE CHIROPRACTOR gave me the name of the damn fine attorney I ended up with, and I had proof of this, and proof of being at my appointment, and so on, but we all laughed for the next two years since my case was never taken off of "dismissed" status even while they were negotiating and settling.

PLEASE, please, please, please, please, I beg of you, find an attorney as soon as you possibly can if for no other reason than to make sure you're getting the absolute best care you can receive. I'm sure everyone means well, but put YOUR interests at the top of the heap. This is your BACK. You only have one and any damage usually means a lifetime of pain.

[LaurenG]

10. I second this advice.

Best wishes and good vibes for a speedy, uneventful recovery.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Hey there. Sorry about the wing.

I hope everything goes well for you. It might not be a bad idea to have an attorney review any documents and to make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to.

[tavalon]

5. It just never occurred to me

It's definitely a worker's comp situation as I started having the symptoms after a night of pushing and pulling epiduralized pregnant folks but it really wasn't any different from any other day. Except that now I don't know if I'll ever work in my field again. I may, I may not.

I'll have to look into the lawyer thing. It just never occurred to me because they have been just great about it all. I've had two emergency room visits and one visit to the specialist. I'm waiting on the scheduling of my EMG and then will be beginning physical therapy. They are going to replace my salary at 60% and will place me on light duty (whatever the hell that is) when I'm okayed to go back to work. I'm currently not okay to go back and am not sure when I'll be able to.

Anyway, it never occurred to me to practice pre-emptive lawyering. I'll have to research this. It's not like I don't have the time.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Well, if you can do your own research of the policies, it's cheaper.

Sometimes when you realize you've been had, it can be too late for a lawyer.

[tavalon]

9. Good point

I just started my research.

[tavalon]

6. Also

one lucky thing. It's my left arm and I'm a righthander. It sure could have been worse.

[flamingyouth]

8. Sorry about your bulging disk

I have one at C5-C6 since a car accident in Aug. 2005. I can tell you I'm not thrilled with dealing with auto insurance carriers on the whole either.

Trying to navigate the world of neurosurgeons, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, insurance adjusters, etc. is not fun when you're feeling good - and when you feel like crap ... even less so.

Good luck with it all.