Robbed at gunpoint and pistol whipped at work on the clock

[mobbdeep]

They're thinking that if you had something like an epidural hematoma ala Natasha Richardson, you'd be dead already.

There are other things that could be the problem. They could be caused by the accident, or they could bee unrelated. The therapist thinks it's physical (neurological), not psychological. And until your problem is diagnosed, it is impossible to determine what caused it.

It took my cousin over a decade to get a minor car accident settled, and part of the problem was getting the "minor" brain injury diagnosed. And the "minor" brain injury had a lot of long term consequences.

Aside: Even if you have insurance, a PCP may choose to ignore obvious neurological symptoms. Mine did.

I mean, the only way to get a diagnosis is to see a specialist who can diagnose what may be the problem who would then determine what caused the diagnosis, right? That said, if I feel there may be something wrong and the WC Doctor doesn't feel like there is therefore they won't refer me to a specialist and I can't get a PCP to get other unrelated work injury tests done, then I'm SOL? Unless I speak to my WC adjuster and let him know that they won't refer me, I'm not really sure they will be much help either. I'd probably be better off seeking advice from an ombudsman.

 

[not2cleverRed]

https://www.brainline.org/article/headaches-after-head-injuries-post-traumatic-headaches

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/postconcussion-headaches#types

Sometimes you don't notice damage/pain initially because there are other things that hurt worse.

 

[quincy]

I mean, the only way to get a diagnosis is to see a specialist who can diagnose what may be the problem who would then determine what caused the diagnosis, right? That said, if I feel there may be something wrong and the WC Doctor doesn't feel like there is therefore they won't refer me to a specialist and I can't get a PCP to get other unrelated work injury tests done, then I'm SOL? Unless I speak to my WC adjuster and let him know that they won't refer me, I'm not really sure they will be much help either. I'd probably be better off seeking advice from an ombudsman.

Yes. Seek advice from OIEC. It is a state agency that offers free help with worker’s compensation claims. If you do not have an attorney, you can get assistance from an ombudsman. Or you can call the State Bar of Texas to find an attorney.

You do not want to ignore head injuries.

 

[mobbdeep]

https://www.brainline.org/article/headaches-after-head-injuries-post-traumatic-headaches

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/postconcussion-headaches#types

Sometimes you don't notice damage/pain initially because there are other things that hurt worse.

Thank you for that information. Some of those symptoms are what I've experienced during these 4-5 day periods. These last 2-3 days, I've been feeling a lot better. Been staying busy throughout the day to keep my mind busy. The only thing that kind of bothers me a little bit is that the top of my head (scalp) gets tender throughout the day but again, that could be anything. I'll contact an ombudsman tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[quincy]

Speaking with an ombudsman tomorrow is a good idea.

 

[mobbdeep]

Just wanted to post here again because unfortunately, I didn't get in contact with an ombudsman back in April when you guys suggested but I think I'm to the point in doing so now. Since April, I've been having all kinds of off and on physical symptoms that were never happening prior to the incident. While I do understand things can just happen out of nowhere as life happens, I feel as if they're all delayed onset things as a result to my injuries.

For quite some time after April, I was dealing with a lot of depersonalization/derealization and eventually what I found to be possibly visual snow syndrome (static in vision, floaters, photophobia, visual distortions, palinopsia, contrast problems, ringing/buzzing in ears, etc.). I was always bringing these things up to my WC Doctor who at one point said "Yeah, I don't think any of that is related to your injuries and are just coming on" -- all while I've also been pushing for some sort of head imaging which at one point my adjuster agreed needed to be done as well. I have also been complaining about left knee pain, which again, was never happening prior to the incident. However, her response was the same thing... but, the nurse tech asks me every visit before the Doctor comes in how my knee is doing and then tells me she's going to let the Doctor know. This last visit, I told her the pain was a 7 and once the Doctor walked in, she immediately sat down without saying anything else and says "Yeah, so about your left knee, I don't think it's related to your incident. I know it's hurting so you'll have to talk to your PCP about it." Hell, at one point, she even said "You didn't get head imaging at the hospital?" Umm... she was the first Doctor I saw. During this visit, she finally agreed to order a head scan that I've been asking for every visit but has been getting refused because "I didn't have any issues closer to my initial injury." To that note, this was a week and a half ago and the workers comp adjuster still has yet to approve the order and doesn't respond to my calls or emails 3-4 days later or in this case, 8 days since my last email and still no reply back.

This evening, I decided to look at my workers comp status reports I get every time I leave the Doctors office and I noticed the description of my injuries and list of diagnosis' keeps getting shorter and things being added/removed. I'm not entirely sure if this is normal or what... but it's quite upsetting because I don't even think what I originally went in for and told them about is being properly documented, therefore her determination of what's coming on its own vs what's related directly from the injury is easy to make because she doesn't even remember what I initially came in for and was treated for.

What I originally went in for (I have pictures for proof & it's on my Police report):

• Abrasion to left and right knee
• Abrasion to back of head
• Abrasion to right and left palm
• abrasion to right knuckles
• Contusion to right side of ribs
• Contusion to right abdominal wall

What was documented after my first visit:

• Description of Injuries/Accident: "Was robbed at gunpoint, hit on the head with a gun and when running out the back of the store tripped and fell hurting himself."
  • Diagnosis's:
    • Acute stress disorder
    • Scalp contusion
    • Contusion, abdominal wall
    • Contusion of rib on right side

Looking at my most recent status report and others in between, things are being changed/removed/shortened:

• Description of Injuries/Accident: "Fell to ground after being assaulted"
  • Diagnosis's:
    • Acute stress disorder
    • Abrasion to left knee
    • Contusion of rib on right side
    • Contusion, abdominal wall

The addition of a contusion to my left knee was added, scalp abrasion was removed, and abrasion to all other extremities is nowhere to be found. I believe that even though the Doctor is to summarize these things, it's hindering my treatment capabilities someway or another. I already asked my adjuster to see another Doctor for a second opinion and he completely ignored my request and only mentioned I should be seen by a neurologist, which he never even found me one either.

I'm guessing at this point, I need to contact the ombudsman? If so, I will definitely do this Monday because I'm tired of suffering from all of these physical symptoms that are making me feel incapable of returning back to work. I'm also tired of the "it's anxiety" excuses to continue downplaying my symptoms and ability to treat me.

This might be more of a rant and I apologize. It's just frustrating.

 

[quincy]

Just wanted to post here again because unfortunately, I didn't get in contact with an ombudsman back in April when you guys suggested but I think I'm to the point in doing so now. Since April, I've been having all kinds of off and on physical symptoms that were never happening prior to the incident. While I do understand things can just happen out of nowhere as life happens, I feel as if they're all delayed onset things as a result to my injuries.

For quite some time after April, I was dealing with a lot of depersonalization/derealization and eventually what I found to be possibly visual snow syndrome (static in vision, floaters, photophobia, visual distortions, palinopsia, contrast problems, ringing/buzzing in ears, etc.). I was always bringing these things up to my WC Doctor who at one point said "Yeah, I don't think any of that is related to your injuries and are just coming on" -- all while I've also been pushing for some sort of head imaging which at one point my adjuster agreed needed to be done as well. I have also been complaining about left knee pain, which again, was never happening prior to the incident. However, her response was the same thing... but, the nurse tech asks me every visit before the Doctor comes in how my knee is doing and then tells me she's going to let the Doctor know. This last visit, I told her the pain was a 7 and once the Doctor walked in, she immediately sat down without saying anything else and says "Yeah, so about your left knee, I don't think it's related to your incident. I know it's hurting so you'll have to talk to your PCP about it." Hell, at one point, she even said "You didn't get head imaging at the hospital?" Umm... she was the first Doctor I saw. During this visit, she finally agreed to order a head scan that I've been asking for every visit but has been getting refused because "I didn't have any issues closer to my initial injury." To that note, this was a week and a half ago and the workers comp adjuster still has yet to approve the order and doesn't respond to my calls or emails 3-4 days later or in this case, 8 days since my last email and still no reply back.

This evening, I decided to look at my workers comp status reports I get every time I leave the Doctors office and I noticed the description of my injuries and list of diagnosis' keeps getting shorter and things being added/removed. I'm not entirely sure if this is normal or what... but it's quite upsetting because I don't even think what I originally went in for and told them about is being properly documented, therefore her determination of what's coming on its own vs what's related directly from the injury is easy to make because she doesn't even remember what I initially came in for and was treated for.

What I originally went in for (I have pictures for proof & it's on my Police report):

• Abrasion to left and right knee
• Abrasion to back of head
• Abrasion to right and left palm
• abrasion to right knuckles
• Contusion to right side of ribs
• Contusion to right abdominal wall

What was documented after my first visit:

• Description of Injuries/Accident: "Was robbed at gunpoint, hit on the head with a gun and when running out the back of the store tripped and fell hurting himself."
  • Diagnosis's:
    • Acute stress disorder
    • Scalp contusion
    • Contusion, abdominal wall
    • Contusion of rib on right side

Looking at my most recent status report and others in between, things are being changed/removed/shortened:

• Description of Injuries/Accident: "Fell to ground after being assaulted"
  • Diagnosis's:
    • Acute stress disorder
    • Abrasion to left knee
    • Contusion of rib on right side
    • Contusion, abdominal wall

The addition of a contusion to my left knee was added, scalp abrasion was removed, and abrasion to all other extremities is nowhere to be found. I believe that even though the Doctor is to summarize these things, it's hindering my treatment capabilities someway or another. I already asked my adjuster to see another Doctor for a second opinion and he completely ignored my request and only mentioned I should be seen by a neurologist, which he never even found me one either.

I'm guessing at this point, I need to contact the ombudsman? If so, I will definitely do this Monday because I'm tired of suffering from all of these physical symptoms that are making me feel incapable of returning back to work. I'm also tired of the "it's anxiety" excuses to continue downplaying my symptoms and ability to treat me.

This might be more of a rant and I apologize. It's just frustrating.

Yes, seeking assistance locally is what you should do.

I am sorry the recovery from your injuries has been a slow and difficult one, mobbdeep.

 

[mobbdeep]

Yes, seeking assistance locally is what you should do.

I am sorry the recovery from your injuries has been a slow and difficult one, mobbdeep.

I ended up calling an ombudsman who told me they couldn't do anything because I don't have any claim denials. They transferred me to the main Texas workers comp office and the lady I spoke to was kind of rude too and eventually after explaining to her 4 times that I was getting nowhere with my adjuster or Doctor, she left (what I assume) a nasty voicemail for my adjuster because he called me 30 minutes later and even asked me why I called them like he was going to get fired or something.

Anyway, I finally got a CT scan of my head and everything came back clear. I think my next steps are to go to a neuro-ophthalmologist for further examination because of my off and on odd head pain sensations and visual snow that I've been experiencing. I have vision insurance through my employer so I'll use that as I know workers comp will deny anything else I ask for. I even mentioned to my Doctor that if this comes back clear, can we look at post-concussion syndrome and she just pretty much ignored it. My Doctor seems like she's at the point of being done with me since she keeps asking if I've heard from psychiatrist yet.

 

[not2cleverRed]

or quite some time after April, I was dealing with a lot of depersonalization/derealization and eventually what I found to be possibly visual snow syndrome (static in vision, floaters, photophobia, visual distortions, palinopsia, contrast problems, ringing/buzzing in ears, etc.).

Have you seen an ophthalmologist?

Traumatic cataracts can take a while to show, for example.

 

[mobbdeep]

Have you seen an ophthalmologist?

Traumatic cataracts can take a while to show, for example.

I have not but I do have an appointment with one October 22nd. I chose this specific one because she has a lengthy history of neurological rehabilitation as well.

 

[quincy]

I have not but I do have an appointment with one October 22nd. I chose this specific one because she has a lengthy history of neurological rehabilitation as well.

Good choice. I wish you well.