mernie

Hi Tabitha. I just had to write to you because you sound like I did. Very ignorant of the whole WC system and what I was in for. I am like you, I never like to complain, never want to cause trouble, and am told I am too nice!! Therefore all the not so nice people take advantage!! Not to scare you, but here's how it works so you will be aware and here is a short (o.k. not so short) version of my story.

I had bi lateral CTS surgery over a year and a half ago (always worked w/computers). I didn't know mine was CTS either because I have diabetes. It can cause the same numbing and burning pain as CTS. But it was my shoulder that drove me to HR and to the co. clinic doc. and there I told him also about the pain in my hands. He sends me to company hand specialist, and he blames the diabetes, as it can cause nerve damage also, but says, just in case it's CTS, we'll do the test. I think they thought the shoulder was a WC issue as I was lifting buckets of mail every day also. I had no idea the two were related to the CTS!!!

So the test to his surprise showed all CTS, the shoulder was rotator cuff tendinitis says an MRI later, as the CTS went right up my arm. CTS damage is bad. I waited so long. Doctor did surgery, one hand then the other. I felt he was nice and a good company doctor. I got therapy for shoulder and hands after surgery.

After six months off work, I still couldn't lift my arm above my waist because of the shoulder. The problem w/the company doc., is that he is NOT your friend. I didn't believe this until he released me back to work (back to computers) w/bad hands and bad shoulder w/a 25 lb. weight limit. No restrictions on the computer!!! I still couldn't lift my arm and had dents and no feeling in my hands!!!I didn't know any better as he said he couldn't keep me out any longer. I thought there was some kind of deadline!! He still wanted me to go to therapy 3X's per week while I worked. Thank God he didn't flat out release me then as I would have been up the creek for sure. Once you are released from the WC doc, he writes a report for the WC ins. co. and they go for settlement if there is any permanent damage left. No money for pain and suffering, no money for time off work. Only what's left of your injury!! So who writes this report is very important!!

First day back to work, I promptly got laid off!!! Says there no room in the budget for me anymore! I was devastated!! When I had my next visit w/the company doctor, he knew all about my lay off. Even knew what my severance was. They are all in this together. I'm sure he knew they were going to lay me off too. My Mom told me to get a WC attorney! I did and it was the best thing I ever did. He put me back on TTD instead of Modified Work status (which the stupid doctor didn't modify at all) and he sent me to a doctor on my side that would let me heal and stay off work during therapy. I had been so worried about my job, and for what. Thank God I had STD and LTD (disability)insurance through work. Many people have it and don't file because they are getting WC payments. But they should still report the oiginal accident date to disability, as it will pay off later when WC is over, then payments are cut in half but if your still off work, this insurance will kick in more money!! I am still using it. This is an important issue too.

Tabitha, please, since they are taking so long w/you, please go to an attorney who speicalizes ONLY in WC for the client and NOT the insurance company. He will send you to a good doctor, get the surgery and take the time to heal. You want YOUR doctor to write the P&S report, and you NEED the atty. to get you a fair settlement. This is just my opinion, but I hope you can do this. WC doesn't play fair all the way through, and then the doctor writes the Permanent and Stationary (P&S) report when he releases you and they minimize the damage left over. You DON'T want to go back to computers w/bad hands or the work that hurt you in the first place. You will get it again!! You are young enough to be retrained.

In my case I am 57, Diabetic w/other health problems including lots of damage to my hands. I was just approved for SS. I CAN'T get another career and don't want to w/all my problems. I am at settlement stage now, and I thank God I have the atty. Good luck to you and sorry this is so long. Bless you, Mernie