I feel abused

[moonmama]

I recently filed a claim with a company that I've worked for 20+ years. This claim was filed Friday the 24th. I am in great pain, but am taking 800 mg. of Ibuprophen when I can just to function. I do very heavy work. I am in my 50's. The company I work for is going under in the next few weeks. They are dragging their feet in my case for some reason. I just returned from having surgery last week on a totally different part of my body. On returning to work my old injury flared up only worse. So, in light of everything I decided to report it. I hated to because they make you feel as if your a criminal, but knowing I hurt myself there I felt it was appropriate. Now they tell me that the WC nurse will attend the doctors appointment with me when they get me one. It has almost been a week. I am in such pain while working and after I get home. Ice packs and Ibuprophen are my friends. I have called or gone by the safety office everyday to check on my appointment and can't get a straight answer. Do you know what rights I have...if any?[/size][/font][/b]

[AQA]

I am sorry to hear of your injury. Every state is different. If you could tell us what state you are in, it would helpl a great deal. There are alot of us here that have a nurse case manager. Some are good and some are not.

[moonmama]

I am in Tennessee.

[jayne]

try thr ER they may have no WC insurance if they are going under

[moonmama]

jayne Wrote:try thr ER they may have no WC insurance if they are going under

No, they have insurance...Travelers. I feel like I deserve to be treated by a good doctor. I have given 100 % to this company. Isn't that what WC insurance is for ...when you get hurt at work?

[tweety00]

Then ask for the insuances phone number and ask for your claimnumber
but get medical treatment even if you have to use er

[red1030]

moommama..first I want to say welcome to the forum. You will find that this is the best forum for information about a workmans compensation claim and for the Injuried Worker. Unfortunately you said something that is true and that was

"I feel like I deserve to be treated by a good doctor. I have given 100 % to this company. Isn't that what WC insurance is for ...when you get hurt at work?"

I believe that you will find that everyone on this forum feels the same way that you do, but you will also find that what the IW believes to be good and fair treatment and what the IC give you are two different things. I am so sorry to tell you that, but it does work this way. For the most part, what you need to do is make sure that your claim has been filed. Once that has happened read about your states W/C programs and know them well. You can find this information by going to the menu above on this website, and click on "information by state." Once you are there it will lead you to your state to choose and then to the statues and rules. Read them and know them. That is the best advice that i can give to you.

The first thing that you want to know is if you have to go to the doctors that you are referred to by your W/C IC. Most states say yes, some do not so I believe you should check this out. It sounds like you need medical care now and that you are in a lot of pain so you need to see a doctor and tell them that you must find out what is causing this pain. Ask them for a MRI if it is in your back or where ever your pain is at or where they would recommend based on where your pain is. Ask for this to be done immediately. Then ask for something stronger for pain. Explain your pain and its location. Try to find a good way to describe it to them so they can get a full picture of the pain and its location. Is it sharp, stabbing, aching, pinching, burning etc? How painful is it from a scale of 1 - 10 rate your pain with activity and without activity. 10 is the worse pain that you have ever felt.

Once you have seen the doctor and explained your pain as described above, then read all the rule and statues of your state. If you need to, you might want to obtain a certified workman's compensation attoney. It sounds like you may need one. To do this, search the web site for attorneys in your area who are certified in W/C. They will usually advertise if they are. If they have not, when you call ask them if they are. Typically it just means that they have taken some extra courses in W/C or had X amount of hours of experience so they are certified by their states board of lawyers.

Other than this, I am drawing a blank. I am sure others will be along soon who can help you better than I have. Good luck to you... Red

[moonmama]

Thank you so much...I appreciate everything

[monster]

I'm not an expert on this but some states say you only have to treat with 'their' doctor for a specific time (ex. 30 days) before you can find your own. I don't know what the law is in Tennessee but you might want to check in to it. Also some IC's have what is called here MPN's (Medical Provider Networks). I now have to treat with doctors within that specific network. My first appt is middle of Sept. I can only hope he's halfway decent and not some quack who doesn't give a crap Good luck and listen to what Red says, she is very helpful.

[Still in Limbo]

Welcome to the Boards Moon! My Opinion only, but the next time I went by the Safety Office, I would ask for a copy of my Injury Report, and ask when it was sent to the Bureau. If they don't want to co-operate with you on this, I would immediately call the Workers Comp. Office in your Area and ask to file a claim yourself. If they give you the Paperwork, ask them for a list of the Approved Dr.'s for your i/c, and if they won't give you those, ask them straight out WHY?? It sounds to me if they are going under no one cares too much about their Jobs anymore and your Paperwork may just be setting on someones Desk. It's sad to say, but w/c is the only system I've ever seen that makes an injured Person be so active in their own case, you have to stay on top of everything "Hands On" and Please DOCUMENT everything that happens, names, times, phone calls and to who and what was said, etc. If not it's so easy to get lost in the shuffle! I Hope this Helped a Bit, and I Wish You the Very Best!!