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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    I injured my back six months ago on the job. Work had sent me to a chiropractor that day and the problem got worse and never better. I went through 3 1/2 months of physical therapy and am currently seeing my fourth doctor. Each doctor brings up the term 'litigation' before they pass me on to another doctor even though it's not in litigation. They still can't identify the cause of the pain and are going to start injections which worries me. During one of my checkups they found some irregularities with my heart and I have since had an unsuccessful heart surgery and am awaiting another but the Cleveland Clinic is backed up and I could be waiting up to a year for the surgery. Bosses at work make comments that I have cost them bonuses due to the workman's comp payout and I am worried that they are going to try to push me out and I can't afford to lose my insurance right now. I want to move on with my life but can't afford to make any changes right now and am at their mercy. Should I get a lawyer or are there others ways to protect myself?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    4

    Unhappy Re: Six months of being passed from Dr. to Dr.

    Also, this happened in Pennsylvania and I know that the laws are not on my side in this state and would appreciate any shared knowledge of good lawyers in this state. Thanks for any assistance

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Atlanta metro
    Posts
    9

    Thumbs up Re: Six months of being passed from Dr. to Dr.

    From my experience over the past 6 months, I would definately say GET an Attorney ASAP! I have had to push the Dr's as well over the past 6 months. I Have been told by one of them that if they know litigation is involved that he knew that certain Dr.s will avoid certain diagnosis' and surgery. I myself was sent to a chiropractor by the first Dr. and told nothing was wrong with me. I went and started getting worse. I finally found a DR. that knew my symptoms right off the bat and told me that I had serious delay in my reflexes on one side. He diagnosed my ruptured disc before i had the discogram that proved it. Now keep this in mind, I had 2 Drs. and a chiro. tell me nothing was wrong and acted like i was crazy when i was in tears from pain. I had the MRI that was almost normal before but ONE DR. told me that didn't matter, that MRI's don't show everything. What it comes down to is YOU know your body! Don't give up but I will tell you that you have a LONG road ahead. I told my work that I was going to file it on my own insuranse as well until they told me they didn't have a job for me with a hurt back. Of course as soon as i filed WC. I was treated like I am a horrible,money sucking thief. Just one day before i was one of the best employees and had a better review than anyone in the store. I am still not even close to being recovered after having surgery fusing 2 discs and my lower back is still hurting really bad. You have to keep up the hope for your sake.No one else, even an attorney has as much to lose as you do! Obviously i am no attorney but i have learned plenty from this experience. the main thing i have learned is that some people can sleep just as easy at night knowing that they will lie with their hand on a bible the next day to save their job! Truth doesn't always prevail without a LOT of persistence on your part. You have to realize, they manipulate and lie for a living.Good Luck.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    stressed2themax, I just wanted to thank you for your response. Everything that happened to you is happening to me. They too treat me as though I am milking the system for something, but what they don't realize is the pain that I go through on a daily basis and for that I am doing remedial work for a fraction of what I was making before the injury. I feel as though if I get a lawyer involved they will think that for sure but if they already think that who cares I guess. I hope that all works out for you in the end and you find comfort and get what you deserve. Thanks again for the words of support.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Atlanta metro
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    You are very welcome for the comments. I know how stressfull this can be!
    I now have witnesses going to court for me and my employer found out about it and asked my witness,"So, that means you are against us!" As my witness said, "this is not a matter of against anyone,this is a matter of the truth" However, my employer still refuses to tell the truth. Thank goodness I have at least one witness who can't live with the burden of the truth on his mind! You have to look out for yourself. My company was not worried about the fact that i just bought a brand new house and almost lost it due to this injury and the ongoing pain WILL bring you down, physically and mentally. I wish you the best and thanks for your good wishes. If i can be of any help, I will.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Edwardsburg Michigan
    Posts
    6

    Cool Re: Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    I have something similar going on with my work also. I was making a delivery at one of our customers, when I twisted and lifted at the same time. Was the absolute wrong thing to do. I have a severe lower lumbar strain with four bulging discs. My work was great to me....at first. After awhile, they started questioning my work ethic (wrong thing to do) and was making accusations that I was "faking it" in so many words. One time, the President of the company told me, "they only know as much as you tell them"....and of course WHAT WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN???? I am to LIE about my injury and tell my Dr I am great...good to go??? Not hardly. When the injury occured, I was in the back of the truck and could barely get myself out of it. I was having muscle spasms and it was affecting my whole body. It took my wife and my boss 45 minutes to get to me. My boss helped me into my wife's car and he took the truck back to the shop. My boss KNOWS how much pain I was/am in. I've had 3 epidural injections since and am still in pain. The Workers Comp Insurance has just cut me off two weeks ago so I have retained an attorney...I just wished he would call me back... Good luck with your pain issues. I feel for you. I know EXACTLY how much pain can affect your entire life! Stay mentally strong and MAKE this company do what is right by you. You have done NOTHING WRONG to deserve being treated this way and to make to feel this badly. You ARE a good person and a great employee - for someone else I'm sure. You are STILL YOU! Never lose sight of that..... For me, I think my work days are over. My attorney advised me that I should file for Social Security Disability. Its been close to a year now. Nothing seems to be much better and the prognosis seems to be always the same.......no change yet. I'm a survivor.....and I'll be just fine!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    I have contacted an attorney. We have decided not to take action until after my next appointment for my heart which is in Feb. I am currently receiving WC and still have insurance so I need to be very careful until I figure out what is going to be needed for my heart. I also have my first injections scheduled for next Tuesday and I am still skeptical about these. My doctor says he has no idea what is wrong with my back but insists that the injections are the way to go, what does that mean? My lawyer says to only get the shots if the pain is intolerable otherwise he has found that they can sometimes do more harm than good. I told my WC rep. about my concerns and she insists that I get them because the doctor 'says to do so' but I realize that she is just trying to subtract me from the company's clientele list. These decisions would be so much easier if I didn't need the insurance for another heart surgery and I think they know that. Well, I hope that you all are feeling better today than yesterday and are keeping high spirits. Good luck to you all and thanks again for the kind responses.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Atlanta metro
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Six months of being passed from doctor to doctor

    Your attorney is correct as far as injections. That is why i decided against them. It can cause permanent nerve damage as well as other things and it is a temporary solution. However, I had my surgery 5 weeks ago on 2 discs and my symptoms of burning are still here. Very disappointing. This has been 8 months for me of pain and i am only 35 with 2 children! I am VERY concerned about my back and my future. After hearing from my witnesses, my employer asked to do a mediation/settlement hearing. I am very worried about doing this as well since i still don't know the full effects of this injury on me. It is very scary. The most important thing is to choose a good attorney. Talk to several before choosing and get a feel for them. Also, be very careful talking to WC./insurance co. I was confusing WC with the insurance company and after talking to the insurance company, i realized that they are NOT WC and will lie and twist everything. My employer's insurance co. didnt take statements in writing from anyone that helped my case or even document their statement. They only took statements from my management that had lied from the beginning. You need to do a lot of leg work yourself and take notes on everything and think of every possible question or comment that can discredit the other sides "story". It has been easier for me to discredit them personally since i know everything that has been said and done.You need a GREAT attorney,but they are limited to what they know about you and your case. It is really sad realizing how many are treated like this.Now, my witnesses that are just telling the truth are being told by my employer, "So, you are against us?" this has nothing to do with for or against..just the truth. that is why most will not go to court with you since they are intimidated by the employer.

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