[paininthe]

I'm in California.{ Probably a stupid question} If I have surgery, and in the middle of recovery am released back to work, Will I lose my medical workers comp if I refuse to return to the job? I have no intention of going back to my job. What happends if I am still am being seen by the doctor for surgery follow ups? Do I need to file for some other form of medical coverage from State? Or am I on my own? Will my own medical insurance cover this as it was a workers comp case to start with?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You should expect to lose any wage benefits, but may still be eligible for medical care. You should consult a workers' compensation lawyer about the specifics of your situation before acting.

You would have to check your medical insurance policy to see if it will cover work-related injuries which would otherwise be covered by workers' comp; my guess is that they are excluded.

[paininthe]

Thanks Knowitall. Of course I wouldnt expect wage benifits ,but I didn't know about the law as far as continuing medical benifits for surgery follow up. Guess I do need to research this further. I was looking through the California workers comp. labor law and can't find any specific to my question. Anybody else knowanything?

[aaron]

I suspect that our lack of knowledge of the "specifics of the situation" mentioned by Mr. Knowitall will prevent your getting a definitive answer; but if somebody can answer definitively, they're of course welcome to do so.

[paininthe]

Aaron, in a nut shell- having surgery to repair freying tendons and fix bone spur in my shoulder. From the repetitive motion and and undo force I had to use, do to my employer not wanting to pay to have my tool sharpened. I will quit my job before I spend one more day there. I have seen the true side of my employer since I have been on workers comp. I do not want anything from them except to fix a problem they helped to create. I know at some point after surgery but before recovery is complete I will probably be released to go back to work on some sort of light or sedetary duty. At that point I will quit. Just wanted to know if they would have to continue to pay my medical.