need medical service

[therealtommyboy]

undefinedWhat is the name of your state? california

already, seen QME but my condition has gotten worse, what can i do?

 

[rmet4nzkx]

What has your workers compensation attorney said?

 

[therealtommyboy]

need medical advise

california,

go the the emergency room, i never speak with the attorney he never returns my calls, i always speak with some case worker, this is what she told me, to go the the emergency room...

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Is the QME treating you or evaluated you?
Have you gone to the ER as instructed?
If you give more information perhaps I can help.

 

[therealtommyboy]

california,

i have a neck injury C5,6 and 7...was p & s by treating physician.

attorney and insurance company agreed upon AME not QME, sorry my mistake.

AME completed report in Aug 31, 2004 sent to Attorney and Insurance company on Oct 6, 2004 at which time both asked for clarification from AME.

Since then, my condition has gotten worse, my neck, both shoulder hurt me all of the time and now my chest hurts me alot. Have alot of trouble sleeping due to pain and have difficulty moving right arm in the morning, why am i getting worse? this i would like to know, also, would like something for pain.

i am concerned that my condition is getting worse, it had remained somewhat stable at level of discomfort reported to AME, which was already painful but i had gotten used to the pain...what can i do. several doctors say that an operation would help me, but my physical therapist and my personal doctor say not to have the operation.

why am i getting worse, i am 50 years carpenter, unable to continue with my line of work...my body was my most important tool, now nada...

i would like to see a doctor and find out why i am getting worse and the pain increasing...what's going on.

 

[BlondiePB]

therealtommyboy, do you or do you not want surgery?

 

[therealtommyboy]

california

i was hoping i could get by without surgery...the neurologist says there is no nerve damage, but then why in the heck do i hurt so much? one doctor told me it was because the opening thru which the spinal cord nerves pass thru have been narrowed due to my injury.

would like to see a doctor to discuss change in my condition and possibly discuss the efficacy of surgery.

my main concern is why has my condition worsened.

my attorney is very inaccessible, don't want to complain about him instead would rather try and do something for myself, lawyers are difficult people to deal with and even more difficult to identify personable ones who will actually take the time to address your concerns.

lastly, i am tired of being in the WC system, would like to move to another country...and leave this all behind me.

i just interviewed with my previous employer, a school district, but did not get the job. i am on a 39 month rehire list, and i thought i would get preferential treatment for any job for which i am qualified but this is not the case, so then why a list? doesn't seem to have any real meaning, just symbolic...i am now qualified to teach social science.

 

[BlondiePB]

i was hoping i could get by without surgery...the neurologist says there is no nerve damage, but then why in the heck do i hurt so much? one doctor told me it was because the opening thru which the spinal cord nerves pass thru have been narrowed due to my injury.

Are these the w/c doctors? Are the doctors that said that surgery would help you w/c doctors? Have you had an MRI, EMG, SEMPLES, and other nerve conduction tests (can't think of the others right off the top of my head). Have you heard any doctor mention foramen stenosis or seen that in your medical records? Does your attorney practice other types of law other than w/c?

Just thought I'd ask all this prior to rmet coming back and my making further comments. Your additional info is appreciated.

 

[therealtommyboy]

california

the doctors that said i would be help by surgery are doctors to whom i was referred to by my treating physician, who is an orthopedic surgeon.

I have had an MRI which showed damage to my C5,6,7

"there is mild central canal and left foraminal narrowing secondary to disk bulging and spondylosis" C4-5

"mild central canal and left foraminal stenosis with slight cord compression on the left" this refers to my C5-6

"there is minimal central canal foraminal narrowing bilaterally secondary to degenerative disc bulging and spondylosis" C6-7

this is what the MRI says, whatever it is, it certainly causes alot of pain and discomfort...and now it is getting worse

as far as the EMG and the SEMPLES i have no idea if i have had these evaluations

and yes, my lawyer and his firm pratice other types of law besides WC. they appear to be involved in many other aspects of the legal system and are qualified to practice in all of the United States, and it appears that they are involved in big law suits, i know of one in particular against FORD and are involved in Pharmacutical lawsuits or something like that....they are also supposely lawyers that represent union members such as myself.

if i could get answers to my questions from his law firm i wouldn't be seeking help elsewhere, but as his case manager told me "we have over 4,000 cases, you are not the only one" i didn't have a response for this statement but i thought of many things...

 

[BlondiePB]

Thank you. Rmet, you go first.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

You said you were P&S, when was that?
Do you have a permenant disability rating, if so, what is it and are you allowed future care?
What does your case manager say?
Have you got your pay out?
You really need to discuss all this with your WC attorney.
Have you contacted the department of rehab?

 

[therealtommyboy]

california,

was p & s on Nov 2003

don't know what a permanent disability rating is, i thought that the lawyer was waiting for clarification from the AME report so that he could do a rating of permanent disability

yes i have future care in the AME report it states future care

my case manager says to go to the emergency room if it gets too bad

haven't recieved any pay out, not sure what that is, i am recieving disability payments from the insurance company according to what they say the injury is worth...i have not signed any papers regarding any settlements or anything else

i have tried to discuss with my attorney but i can never speak with him nor does he ever return my calls or emails...i am only allowed to speak with the case manager

i was p & s on 11/03 and was not sent to an AME until 8/04 i don't agree with the time schedule but what can i do

can you tell me more about the department of rehab

 

[ellencee]

therealtommyboy
When you call your attorney's office, in the background do you hear one or more series of sounds like "thump, whap, thump, whap"? If not, next time listen carefully. The attorney and his staff are beating their heads on their desks and keyboards.

For Pete's sake, man...If you want to know why your pain is worse GO TO THE DOCTOR OR THE ER IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. Tell the ER that this is a work related injury with an open workers comp file and ask for evaluation and treatment. If you need surgery, GET IT. If you need alternative treatment, GET IT.

Once you do that, you can return to negotiating for further disability ratings and settlement. In the interim, you should continue to receive weekly benefits and medical care.

Nothing is going to happen until you get a medical evaluation and medical treatment.

EC

 

[BlondiePB]

therealtommyboy,
Believe it or not, I understand your MRI and know how much pain you are in. I am not a physican; therefore, I am not qualified to diagnose your situation. You may be able to understand and/or benefit from my similar experience and injuries that has had its own complexities due to a third party. What I learned was that physical therapy (the rehab involving weights) inflammed my condition and made me worse. My neurologist, a non w/c doctor, only advised/prescribed isometrics. The battle between the non w/c doctors and the w/c doctors took a life of its own. Realistically, you need to decide whether or not you want surgery. If you do not want surgery, you will in all likelyhood remain at your status quo and as you age will become even worse. If you do have surgery, you risk alleviating your pain.

The choice is yours. FYI, an EMG is done with a very thick needle-like probe. It reminded me of a meat thermometer. Legs are much worse being stuck with that than the arms. Call your attorney's office and specifically request an update on your case from your attorney. Going to the ER is, actually, really, really good advice. To me, your case sounds as though it is coming to a conclusion. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to make a decision regarding surgery. Your percentage rating of disability will be in your medical records.

If I am not mistaken, Rmet was referring to vacational rehab and you are referring to case manager as a person in your attorney's law office.