Light duty

[Still in Limbo]

Hi IGot, and Welcome to the Forum!! I'm from Pa.also and to answer your question Yes they can split your shifts if they can show those are the only times you are needed, which they will find some way to. And Yes, to me, my opinion, it sure sounds like they are making it hard on you on purpose. After Surgery, they can tell you all the 6-8wks all they want to they told me that also, you can just about Bank on a minimum of 6-8mos. realistically. Herniated discs and Spinal Surgery are very tricky procedures, I'm not trying to scare you or be a downer, I just want you to go in with your eyes wide open. And again my opinion only, the way they are treating you even after you told them this was a hardship for you, Lawyer up now, before the surgery. As I said earlier, I am only trying to prepare you for what is probably a 60-70% chance of the time period, you can read my injuries in my Signature Below, and I Haven't been able to work since 11/06/04. Be very careful with your Back now and after the surgery, and give yourself plenty of time to Heal. I was told I would be back behind the wheel in 6 to 8 weeks, with a 95% chance of success. When everything went Bad, the Dr. looked smugly at me and said: "I'm Sorry, you are in the 5%!" God Love Him!!

[sparkey]

I was put on LD also just a few weeks ago. I had a situation where it was 30 mins longer to drive to work, causing me to drive 3 hours a day round trip one handed. I only worked 4 hours, so i was driving almost as much as working. In the doctors restrictions he stated occasional driving only. Well, i went to see him last week after i gave my resignation ( only cause i found another job), and he seemed like he was ready to accomodate me before he knew i changed employers.

You can also look for another job that would be more convienient for you to work and if you are not paid the same pay amount per week you are entitled to getting the w/c insurance to reimburse you a percentage of that also. I find it od that the doctor would allow you to bend over washing toilets and mopping when you have a back problem. I probably would not state that it is a burden on your family as much as it is a burden on your injury to people at work. Sounds like they are trying to accomodate you to work as it is the law to find light duty and that may be all they have. There must be something else they can possibly find. When you go back to the doctors, let him know what this is causing you, and make sure EVERYTHING is within your restrictions. I chose to leave my job as i was lucky enough to have something offered to me. Good luck in your surgery.

[capricorn]

Morning I-gothurt. Sorry we meet like this. I am also from PA. ALthough you have been working light duty are you making the same amount of money? Or is WC supplementing your income? If you are out of work completely for a time after your surgery IF WC has not denied your case you will get paid from the day of your surgery. How long it will take to get a check is determined by the IC. Some are right on it and some drag their feet and make the IW bust. As others before me have stated, yes they can string you along as they are having you work a ridiculous schedule. It's to make you aggravated enough to stop doing it. I also agree with sparley as to your injuries and doing custodial work. Custodial work is tough with all the bending and lifting. Not to mention the drive you have. I would definitely make your Dr. aware of all you're doing and consult an experienced WC attorney.Wishing you the best with your surgery.

CAP

[Timothy Belt]

As a general rule, if your employer is making work available within your restrictions, it is your responsibility to attempt this work. You could argue that due to the extra driving and the impact on your family, this work is not actually available, but I would not give that argument much chance of success. A better approach would be to discuss the impact of this split shift with your doctor and maybe obtain driving restrictions. With a back injury, driving can be painful. If he/she is willing to limit you to one hour of driving per day, you would not be able to return for the second shift.

As others have mentioned, despite your years of service, you are now damaged goods, and your employer, and even more so its insurance carrier, would not shed any tears if you sought employment elsewhere. Sometimes this is a good option, but keep in mind that your injury has monetary value and there is a right and a wrong way to do anything. It is very common for an injured worker in PA to enter into a settlement which is accompanied by a resignation. However, before you even consider such an option, you should defiantly wait and see what type of an outcome you have after your surgery.

I am a PA attorney, so if you have any specific questions, please feel free to message me directly.

[Lilly]

Hi & Welcome,
If you don't mindmy asking....What are your restrictions? I too am amazed you can bend over to clean bathrooms, use a big broom to sweep without further hurting or aggrevating your injury without going beyond your restrictions. Please....do nothing that can hurt yourself more than you already are...as YOU would be the one who could suffer a lifetime because you tried to accomadate your employer, instead of them accomodating you.
Take care, Lilly

[I-gothurt]

Lilly Wrote:Hi & Welcome,
If you don't mindmy asking....What are your restrictions? I too am amazed you can bend over to clean bathrooms, use a big broom to sweep without further hurting or aggrevating your injury without going beyond your restrictions. Please....do nothing that can hurt yourself more than you already are...as YOU would be the one who could suffer a lifetime because you tried to accomadate your employer, instead of them accomodating you.
Take care, Lilly

..

My restrictions were no more than 20 lbs lifting fromtheir doctor ... that was it .. . the surgan said do what is comfortable with out creating any pain????? .. well let me tell you after 2 hours of sweeping floors I hurt.. The boss just says sweep and then sit he does not care if I sit for an hour.. as long as I put my 2 four hours a day shift in so I swept for 20 minutes sit for 20 walk for 10 etc.. By the time I get home I am dead..