Worker’s Compensation.
March 11th, 2008Welcome to my Blog.
I have started this blog in hopes to find, inform, and hopefully assist other injured workers in Oregon. Here is a little about my story. I was injured in May of 2005 with a lower back injury. My attending physician indicated that I was in need of surgery. I then went to a Neurosurgeon, who wanted to do a spinal fusion. Need I say, Workers Comp denied the request. I have had two surgeries, and numerous other procedures done. I have been sent to more doctors than I can count at the request of WC. All of which have tried to cancel my claim. Three years later I am still off work and in the same position I was in to start with. My current physicians keep giving me pills due to WC not providing any other options to fix my situation.
Independent medical exams: These are doctors that WC has sent me to, to “assist” my attending physician in my treatment. Sounds kind of funny if you ask me. Independent: (Not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, or conduct, etc…) I walk through these Dr’s offices and notice the plaques, and certificates from WC hung on the wall next to their medical degrees. Let me ask, how are these “independent”? Then as I sit in the lobby waiting for my appointment there are others who check in with WC injuries!
Disability Prevention Consultation (DPC): These are appointments to “Assist” my Dr. once again. In my point of view they were the same as the “IME”.
My opinion on these appointments is that these Dr’s work for WC. They have tried to say there is nothing wrong with me and dismiss my claim over the last three years. Even though my attending physician, and at least five other Dr’s who were “independent” say that a fusion is needed. Including two neurological surgeons.
Along the way I have met numerous individuals who have experienced the same issues I have. Many of them have lost their home, cars, Insurance benefits, marriages, ability to play with their children, and their ability to have a normal life. How is this fair? Why do we have to pay into a government fund that takes away our freedom to live a normal life? In all to be treated like a liar, and thief who is taking advantage of the system. Granted there are those who do lie and steal from the system. But it‘s not everyone.
My advice to you. Hire an Attorney. Research them first. Most attorneys can recommend a good attending physician. Take an observer to your appointments. Keep good track of the notices and appointments that WC sets up for you. Keep your attorney informed, even though they do get copies they help a lot of people. It is easy to slip through the cracks and get lost in the paper work. Don’t settle early. You don’t want to be worse off in the end. Don’t trust the Dr’s you are sent to. Remember who is padding their pockets. IT’S NOT YOU! If they can close your claim. Who does it benefit? You?
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