Questions about benifits

[grapesrule]

I was injured on the job over 6 months ago. I reported the injury and continued working until the pain was too much. Since then I have had surgery to repair the injury I received on the job.

I was released to go back to work with restriction of no use of my right arm after being off for 10 days. I am also going to PT 3Xweek. The problem is that PT is very painful. My employer is accomodating my restrictions and allowing me to go to PT during work hours (that is the only time they are open anyway). But, my physician prescribed pain medication for me, and my therapist would rather me take something prior to therapy. But, with the policy no pain medications while working, I am in constant pain.

During the time I was waiting for surgery, I missed 2 days. After surgery I missed one and a half weeks. They ended up paying me for the 32 hours, and I have used over 60 hours of my own saved up time to cover for the days "that were not specifically authorized by my physician", or were part of my 3 day waiting period.

I dont really want to get a lawyer for a shoulder injury, but I keep feeling like they are trying to squeeze me into using all my time instead of paying me for days I missed from the injury. I was told unless I had a doctors not taking me off work the days I missed, I had to use my own time. I since have missed 2 more days when PT was too much and I had to take pain medication the next day, so they would not allow me to work.

Is this just the way it is or am I getting ran around? Do I really need to get a lawyer to get pain relief?

[aaron]

Worker's compensation laws vary by state. But it is not uncommon for employers to want you to medically document any time off you wish to ascribe to your workplace injury.