My brother was injured (badly burned w/3rd degree burns from gas tank
explosion) on the job this past June, and now on w/c.

He's facing the "mileage" issue. W/C won't pay. We submitted a list of expenses, including mileage--which is 273 miles -round-trip -to Pittsburgh, and they haven't reimbursed for anything yet. He's facing many more trips back to Pittsburgh to see the Dr. No one has suggested he change Drs.

He should have been discharged to a rehab, but they sent him home from hospital to home nursing care which was a nightmare from day one.
One thing he hasn't done yet is get an attorney. The W/C feels he won't be able to go back to work --the Dr. thinks he will within a month or so. Someone needs to supply the Doc with a job description as he has not a clue what the job is all about.

He's currently wearing a "compression"garmet for the top part of his body to keep from scarring. He has to be refitted for this every three months as it stretches out. He can't work in this as he's around oil, grease, etc. It will get dirty and oil, grease, etc. will seep through down into his skin. and this skin is just like baby skin --very tender and new. He has to stay completely out of the sunlight and wear long sleeves. He's not even healed enough on the legs to be fitted for the lower garment which he'll have to wear up to a year.

Didn't know he can collect both W/C and SSD. He did apply for disability. What is next step? Is he tested by W/C doctors?

The next step in my opninion is to consult with an experienced WC attorney to be sure your brother gets all he is entitled to and doesn't get shafted aroung in any way.

ICC

Clarry--Hey central PA. ! I'm origanally from Bellefonte .:)

Anyway ICC is right go seek an attorney , my attorney is out of Altoona . I just went to court over mileage reimburstment problems . I travel to Berwick PA 240 miles round trip since 2005 and they haven't paid a dime on it. The judge didn't give his decision yet but my attorney said since w/c didn't have any defense the judge will award me my money..Now I just wait a little longer for $2,550.00 . He needs an attorney..

Where ya from ?

Shawley,


Yes--I know Bellefonte--We're nearby from Philipsburg-Osceola area.


Is it possible to get both W/C and disability at the same time? He's just recently applied for Disability and so far the W/C has paid his wages, but they don't
want to pay for any lodging, meals,hotel expenses while he was in Pittsburgh hospital having surgeries--and it's over 270 miles round trip.

What expenses did W/C pay for you? Where does one find out what expenses are eligible? Didn't get a W/C attorney yet--but may have to if they don't soon cough up some of the expenses we paid out of pocket for.

Just had to add I'm a 'Pennsylvanian' too !! North western Pa. here. I don't have anything to add to your brother's dilema except him being at the Pitts Hospital is a plus. They have a wonderful burn unit there. Lots of Luck to you and your brother.... take -care:angel:

Clarry--Howdy neighbor I live out on DeerCreek road in Morrisdale now. I grew up in Bellefonte but moved here in the boonies to get away. Out by Greenwood Lumber CO.


w/c has paid for all my trips to Pittsburgh , I had my first back surgery at Alleghenny General Hospital . They paid for my mileage and meals.. We didn't stay in the Burgh because its only a 6 hour round trip . Besides I don't think they have to pay for that..Just meals /gas and parking fee's.

I'm telling you he needs an attorney NOW.. I didn't know what to expect so I went to Altoona and talked with a w/c lawyer and he opened my eyes to these crooks , I told him I couldn't afford him and he said he will not and can not charge me a dime unless he goes to court to fight for money or Medical treatment. It's been 4 years and I haven't paid a dime yet . He said he'll get paid come time for settlement. Let me know what goes on...Sorry about your brother.

Queenee -- My daughter lives in Indianna PA. Nice to see fellow pennslyvanians on board. :wave:

Shawley,

How long did you have to wait to get reimbursements for mileage, etc?
We submitted a long list for reimbursement mid-July and haven't heard anything about the charges one way or the other.

Shouldn't long distance phone calls to Dr. in Pittsbugh that the home care nurses made on my brother's behalf also be included as reimbursements?

Generally, a person cannot get both WC and SSDI in full but will have some kind of limit for the 2 combined.

Clarry -- I'm still waiting on Wal-Mart to pay ! Since my attorney and I took them to court they have 30 days to pay or the judge will hand down his judgement and they may be paying more than we ask , so I think they will cut me a check soon. Your brother really needs an attorney . He may be entitled to more than he's already getting ? Hey its only 20% of what he settles for when he does . I thought to myself before I got a lawyer that I would have to pay alot out of my own pocket for my lawyer but I haven't paid a dime for 4 years now ...Tell him to call a lawyer .

Wagner & Finn Attorneys at Law Altoona PA
They have treated me well .
Ask for Mike.


I'm not sure about phone call's ? Probably are entitled to that to. But their insurance ( w/c ) will try to get out of paying everything if they can.

Shawley,

On one of your previous posts you said that W/C paid for trips to Pittsburgh when you had back surgery.

Are you saying that they initially paid expenses at the time of your accident, but your follow up care reimbursements (trips to Berwick) is what they are not paying and that's why you got the attorney?

My brother hasn't received "not even a dime" reimbursement for anything. He's keeping track of his trips back to Pittsburgh to see his Dr. which are every two weeks, but didn't submit anything yet to W/C until he hears from his first submission to them. Good luck, right?

I'll pass on the word about getting any attorney.

Thanks;)

Clarry -- Yep they paid for the trips to Pittsburgh , but when the surgeon their left me with a broken screw in my back and permanent nerve damage I went to another spine specialist in Berwick because our local surgeons wouldn't touch my back. w/c said they wouldn't pay because I could of found one here locally.. I just got an E-Mail from my lawyer ( Mike) he said their going to pay all my back mileage expenses . $2,555.20 plus w/c has to pay my attorney $800.00 for showing up at the hearing :D

I got my attorney because my w/c were comming late all the time and bills wouldn't wait. I'm telling you the truth , he's better off with a lawyer..He's getting screwed .. Tell him to keep all records of miles he traveled so far. But I honestly think he's going to need a lawyer to get it .

Boy is it HOT ! We don't have air conditioning and it's steamy hot and hunid out... Shawley

Shawley,
I feel you're right that he needs to get a lawyer but he wants to wait
to see what happens after his latest Dr. visit this Friday in Pittsburgh.

He feels W/C is treating him good as he's been getting regular checks in the mail, but I told him this could end any time. I don't trust W/C one bit. I dealt with them in the past They tried to get me back to work before I was able. I told them I'd be back when I was ready. Fortunately, my employer was understanding and I got the time off I needed to heal.

W/C hasn't paid a dime on expenses that he submitted. He has another list of reimbursements to send out, and I told him to get on it and send it out right away. This all adds up to a "big chunk of change." He's the only one in the family that worked so this is getting to be a hardship for him.

Glad it's cooled off a bit.

Treating him good ? They have to send his checks thats not being nice thats the law . I think he's doing the wrong thing not going with an attorney. If he's not careful they will make him go back to work , their sneeky and dirty , tell him not to sign anything from his employer or w/c.

Like I said I had my attorney since 2004 or late 2003 ? and I haven't paid a dime for him. He knows down the road he will get 20% of my settlement which I won't miss . Before I got my lawyer I thought he would take my money and I wouldn't get squat ..Boy was I wrong . My attorney doesn't allow them to sh_t on me one bit .

They won't pay his mileage unless he gets a lawyer to fight them. Is this Dr. in Pittsburgh one with his company (work Dr.) Or did he choose to see this Dr. ? If he doesn't go to the Dr. his employer tells him to see they don't have to pay for anything .. Thought I would ask this.

Shawley

Because of the nature of his injuries the Altoona hospital made the decision to have him transferred to the Burn Trauma center in Pittsburgh, and they immediately did surgery on him, so I don't think this Pittsburgh Dr. would be one of the Drs. posted by his employer. Don't know what W/C law is for a case like this. Sure hope they pay, though.

I told him to call his employer and find out who the Drs. are that he can use.

I agree totally with you that he needs a lawyer. W/C is not your friend and they'll put you out in the cold as soon as they can.