ERRORS IN MEDICAL REPORT

[rholmes]

Ok people here's the problem. I recieved the report from my nerve study. Or better yet a life history report. I found so manny errors in the report half of the things I didn't remember dates ran into each other, they had everything from the first child to my hernia repairs after a bad C-section. Do I just ignore the errors or do I make an issue out of it? This was an 80 page report it seems I have more injuries then I thought but no surgery required at this time, but he noted that I will get worse. This is so confusing to me now I am at a loss for words. what the heck is the ulnar? He put down a whole list of things and asked for more test is this their way of getting me off of the job before I can reach my golden 23 years next year? He didn't put me QIW but he did put if my employer could not find me suitible work that I would be considered QIW. This all doesn't sound to good to me and I think I am on borrowed time. If they have light duty available do they have to offer it to you or is it their decision? I work for one of the biggest Transit comapnies in the country and seems like they could easily find a spot to put me in for the next 13 months just so I can make my retirement. But I can see now that may be just to much to ask for. My thing is how can I be a QIW If i can't sit and drive a bus 8 hours aday how can I do anything else that means sitting ,standing, bending reaching or anything else he put on the list? Seems like a very cruel joke on the i/w.

[Pooh]

rholmes

First off - you can always right a letter and if you have copies of your own medical reports that back up the mistakes that he has made - then great - if it is just things like common things then you can make note of them etc and send them certified to him and ask that he correct them. As far as medical info that is incorrect - he will most likely need to see copies of the correct medical info before he will correct it.

The ulnar nerve is the one that runs along the elbow - i.e. the funny bone nerve. You may want to read up on cubital tunnel on webmd.

Anything you send to your doctor - also send to your attorney and make sure it is certified as well. This way your attorney also knows that you are disputing the report in what parts. What I have done in the past is copy the entire report - highlight the sections that were incorrect and then send the corrections - i.e. doctor said he gave me a prescription for medication - I never received a prescription for medication and if he handed me the prescription then I would like to see the copy that they have to keep on file. Or they will say things and twist it around to make it seem like you say it.

[rholmes]

Pooh Wrote:rholmes

First off - you can always right a letter and if you have copies of your own medical reports that back up the mistakes that he has made - then great - if it is just things like common things then you can make note of them etc and send them certified to him and ask that he correct them. As far as medical info that is incorrect - he will most likely need to see copies of the correct medical info before he will correct it.

The ulnar nerve is the one that runs along the elbow - i.e. the funny bone nerve. You may want to read up on cubital tunnel on webmd.

Anything you send to your doctor - also send to your attorney and make sure it is certified as well. This way your attorney also knows that you are disputing the report in what parts. What I have done in the past is copy the entire report - highlight the sections that were incorrect and then send the corrections - i.e. doctor said he gave me a prescription for medication - I never received a prescription for medication and if he handed me the prescription then I would like to see the copy that they have to keep on file. Or they will say things and twist it around to make it seem like you say it.

Thank you Pooh,


You are so very helpful. Is this a common thing for them to have a lot of mistakes or is it just typo. They have October the 6th of 1985 as my first injury. That seems strange since that is the exact same day I went full time with the company I told my attorney the first time that it was wrong but they still keep putting it in there. they even had my kids birthdays wrong. and some other things I can't really recall right now I will have to go over it again and correct the errors I guess.

Thanks hun and have a pain free day.

RH

[jayne]

Do you have a union that can help you on the retirement issue........even ansewering phone where you can get up when you need ..... they can find you something

[vickinat]

rholmes:

I have had many reports and such that have incorrect info in them, in the case of one Dr. who gave me 3 Epidural injections, I took a copy of the report with the incorrect info highlighted and questioned him about it, he examined me, before doing that last injections and amended that report, and said he would amend the first 2 as well and send them to the Dr. and WC ins. company. When I picked up my copy of that report it was amended, I don't know if he sent the first 2 amended or not. With being a WC case I figured I should try to have everything as accurate as possible.

My IME report was so messed up with incorrect info, inaccuracies as well as out right lies, that I highlighted the areas and put post it notes at each area (very time consuming) and made a copy and sent it to my lawyer, who is going to have it reviewed, and see if the Dr. was credible. I also made a copy for my treating Dr.

My 2nd.EMG report also had errors in it, I explained the errors to my Dr. and also sent a copy to my lawyer. I'm going to call where I had it done and ask if they would amend it and send out the amended report.

I have learned that in the future, if I have to fill out paperwork at a doctors/specialist office, that I'm going to ask them to make a copy for me, then I'll have proof of what Iv'e written. I do this when they mail me forms to fill out before going to the appointment.

Hope this helps, always let your lawyer know what happens, even if it's only something as simple as misspelling your name.

Good luck
Vickie

[Still in Limbo]

Rholmes, I'm so sorry you have to go through this, I did also but not to the extent that they did to you. I very simply Highlighted the errors, and the Tests the Dr. said he performed and didn't, and sent the Report with the corrections to my Attorney. He said He will include the Discrepancies in His Final brief to the Judge, and He also said that the Judges understand that IME Dr.'s Reports are usually Biased, and unless they find something seriously wrong that your Dr. missed or misdiagnosed, those reports are taken with a grain of salt. If your case has been consistent, and an IME Report comes along totally off Base, it's usually not relied upon. So rest easy and make sure your Attorney knows the Discrepancies, and notes them to the Judge, backed with Evidence. I Hope this has Helped a Bit, and Have a great Day!!

[frustratediw]

Other people had already discussed the errors which seem to be a very common problem. Sometimes I just don't these doctors really listen to everything and their notes aren't that great. May have to do with them being too busy for whatever reason. Seems that will always be an ongoing battle for all of us.

As to the QIW question. He can and has made you QIW pending the actions of your employer. How can he do this when you can't sit and drive? Well that answers itself. QIW means you are a qualified injured worker or you are unable to return to your normal job therefore you qualify for some type of re-training so that you may re-enter the workforce. As you said you can't do your job therefore you qualify. According to his report your QIW status is dependant on whether or not your employer is willing and able to accommodate you either in your present position or another position within the company. Therein lies your problem. You have 13 months which is a relatively short time to reach a retirement goal. This is where you find out how a company really feels about their employees. All are not bad even though many are. In your situation it is in your best interest to meet with them and discuss all the possibilities that may exist. Assuming they are willing to do this. The fact that they are very large might work in your favor as they have more positions and options versus a very small company. For instance you say you can't sit for 8 hours and you drive a bus. Obviously that is a problem but are there other jobs you can do that may allow you to sit less and somewhat vary your routine. What needs to be determined first though is not what you can't do but what you can and then try to structure something around that. As already said here if you are covered by a union then by all means discuss with them your situation. Depending on their relationship with the employer and your contract they may be helpful in negotiating the situation in your favor. You have 2 goals here. One protect your health and two protect your retirement. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

[wowthathurt]

Sorry that they are grieving you so much. I just try not to let them get under my skin--which can be a full time job in itself. I think part of their strategy is to wear you down--don't let the turkeys do it. Also, don't underestimate the power of your union! As well, your congressperson's office has people that help take care of the public. I know because this happened for me. What a shocker! Don't let yourself feel alone---you're not.

[Pooh]

One thing that I learned was to write things up and then write on the form - see attached page x - this also came from jayne a well.

First off my list of medical doctors that WC has sent me to will not all fit on the page that they have - so it's easier to keep it up to date on a list - 2ndly my list of medication - if I have to remember them along with dosage - it's hard - so easier to keep a typed list to take to doctor - and finally symptoms - with a list of symptoms - the doctor has to address the symptoms. My IME was 13 pages long - and included all things address - rom, etc - additional medical treatment as needed even though the court says I don't need additional medical treatment - oh well makes it easier for me to get care under my health insurance plan ...... better doctors, etc.

Other things you may want to keep on the list is dates you have been hospitalized and for what - since I have had a few surgeries - I have these on my list as well.

[rholmes]

frustratediw Wrote:Other people had already discussed the errors which seem to be a very common problem. Sometimes I just don't these doctors really listen to everything and their notes aren't that great. May have to do with them being too busy for whatever reason. Seems that will always be an ongoing battle for all of us.

As to the QIW question. He can and has made you QIW pending the actions of your employer. How can he do this when you can't sit and drive? Well that answers itself. QIW means you are a qualified injured worker or you are unable to return to your normal job therefore you qualify for some type of re-training so that you may re-enter the workforce. As you said you can't do your job therefore you qualify. According to his report your QIW status is dependant on whether or not your employer is willing and able to accommodate you either in your present position or another position within the company. Therein lies your problem. You have 13 months which is a relatively short time to reach a retirement goal. This is where you find out how a company really feels about their employees. All are not bad even though many are. In your situation it is in your best interest to meet with them and discuss all the possibilities that may exist. Assuming they are willing to do this. The fact that they are very large might work in your favor as they have more positions and options versus a very small company. For instance you say you can't sit for 8 hours and you drive a bus. Obviously that is a problem but are there other jobs you can do that may allow you to sit less and somewhat vary your routine. What needs to be determined first though is not what you can't do but what you can and then try to structure something around that. As already said here if you are covered by a union then by all means discuss with them your situation. Depending on their relationship with the employer and your contract they may be helpful in negotiating the situation in your favor. You have 2 goals here. One protect your health and two protect your retirement. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

First off I want to thank you for your reply. But I think I jmay have typed something wrong. I have been working and sitting and bending and all of those things, that's why I am so upset. This doctors report was based on not my current condition but injuries from the past. I have been working the past 4 years since my knee surgery with no problems. Some days are bad and some are better then others. My company would rather get rid of me then to let me get to my 23 years thats my point. Thats why I am so upset, not because I can't do the job but because I have been doing it and now with the ame report he is saying I can't SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO LET ME COME TO WORK.