RSD pain caused by IME & ambulance/ER - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

SFangel · 09-07-2003, 11:58 PM

Hi,

I was a pedestrian struck and injured by a car while crossing the street on a crosswalk. I suffered multiple injuries, some of which are disabling and permanent. Because of this accident, I developed RSD in my left knee/leg.

Because my case is a personal injury case, I have to go through an IME (Independent Medical Examination) ordered by the opposing counsel defending the person who injured me.

I am worried that the IME is going to cause severe pain to my left knee/leg because of the RSD I have there.

Is it okay to call an ambulance from the IME doctor's office so that I can be transported to the ER? I would like to receive a shot of morphine to kill the pain caused by the IME doctor.

Thanks.

dayton · 09-08-2003, 08:38 AM

Angel, there is a post I found for you back on August 12th by BabyDollTahiti about this same subject. It's on page 5. I hope it helps. I don't know squat about this...

sltanner · 09-08-2003, 09:52 AM

Talk to your attorney. You can call a transport ambulance (not part of the 9-1-1 system), but chances are you will have to pay for it our of your own pocket and transportation each way could well be over $1,000. If your doctor gives you a shot of morphine before, you can have a friend or relative drive you. It's worth checking into. - Shelley

SFangel · 09-08-2003, 11:54 AM

Hi, shelley and dayton

Thanks for the information. Dayton, I will look for the other post you are talking about.

If I need an ambulance (transport ambulance or 911 ambulance) to take me to the Emergency Room, it will be because I am in pain (severe uncontrollable pain) caused by the IME doctor's examining my RSD knee/leg.

The woman who hurt me or the insurance company for which the lawyer who scheduled the IME works will have to pay the bill because I am not responsible for the accident and for all the medical care required because of this accident. Emergency Room care and ambulance transportation to the ER would be included. The transport ambulance company would send me or my lawyer the bill but I would bill the woman who caused my accident or her insurance company.

Besides that, I applied for Emergency MediCal (similar to Emergency Medicaid) and if the decision is favorable, Emergency MediCal will pay for the ambulance bill, but only if it is an ambulance from 911.

Why cannot I use 911? Isn't severe uncontrollable pain considered a medical emergency in California according to EMTALA?

The lawyer who scheduled the IME (this is the lawyer defending the woman who hurt me) refused to accept that the IME doctor gives me an injection of morphine even though I showed them a letter from my doctor saying that I have RSD and that I need this shot to decrease the severe pain caused by the IME.

[This message has been edited by SFangel (edited 09-08-2003).]

[This message has been edited by SFangel (edited 09-08-2003).]

cattys · 09-08-2003, 12:11 PM

SFangel

IME dr's are not allowed to treat you.In the event that the testing process becomes so overwhelming and you are having bad pain I would call a ambulance. No examining MD cares to have any patient who walked into his office be carried out on a stretcher.

Make sure you take someone to this exam with you.

Best of luck
cattys