ok here are the restrictions

[mel1980]

ok here are my doctors restrictions: No over shoulder work...limited use of the left hand..no lifting over 10 lbs should not be holding neck in one postion constantley....what does everyone think of this?? I dont know what position i can do that does not require this all inputs will be great red and pooh thanks so much you have helped me so much does anyone know how long the waiting peroid is??????? if so please let me know the accident was 9/11/07...

[AQA]

If memory serves me. The waiting period is seven days.

[Pooh]

There is a 7 day waiting period - and they don't have to be consecutive days in nj - so that's a good thing - most states require the consecutive days off.

Since I am not sure what your position was prior to your injury - sorry brain fog today - I really can't tell you much about those restrictions - other than tell you if there is a will there is a way if the employer wishes that you be there just for decoration so they don't have loss time accident counted against them.


ps how do you hold your neck in one position constantly??? I am always twisting and turning my head - even when I was working - no way could I hold my head still ..............

[mel1980]

ok so 7 days from the time you are out of work or the claim is filed does 7 days only include working days ie monday-friday?

[mel1980]

ok pooh well from the drs understanding is i am usually bending forward with my job as it requires me to i am having severe neck pain and most of the time i am looking a computer monitor or doing mail handliling

[Pooh]

from the time you are out of work 7 days - this includes if you are scheduled to work on weekends as well -

I remember doing computer work as well a long time ago - pre 9/11 and I still never kept my neck in one position for very long. Guess I am just not the type to be still long enough - but then again my boss made sure I had a long enough phone cord so that I could get up and walk around when I was talking on the phone as well.

[capricorn]

Mel..Pooh is right. keeping your neck in one position for too long will definitely create pain and make the pain you have worse. I find the computer to be one of my worst nightmares, sleeping on the wrong side,sitting in one position in a car, etc. will all aggravate. In my state it is also 7 consecutive days. Doesn't matter if they are 7 days from the DOI, or if you continue to work,then are put out and you're out for 7 days. Good luck and keep us posted.

CAP

[red1030]

Mel usually your organization will ask you to use your sick time or vacation time to cover the 7 days that you are not paid for. Also remember that organizations look at 7 days as a typical 5 day work period. So what they will pay you for sick time is 5 days or if it is vacation days only 5 days... Red

[capricorn]

I am assuming, Red that we are talking about different states here. In my state once you are out of work for 7 days and the IC accepts your claim you are paid back to the DOI so there is no need to use sick days unless your claim is denied. In the case of a claim being denied it is up to the employer how they deal with the employees sick days. In my state they are considered to be an employees benefit as they have been earned. Are we on the same page? tlaking about different states?

CAP

[kate]

In New Jersey,
The employee must be unable to work for seven days (including weekends and holidays) before they are eligible for temporary disability benefits. Benefits are retroactive to the first day. The seven days need not be consecutive. The day that the employee is unable to continue at work by reason of the accident, whether it be the day of the accident or later, counts as one whole day of the waiting period.

You state the accident was 9/11. Have you been off work the whole time? If so the 7 day waiting period has passed and as long as your doctor had you off work and your claim has not been denied, you should start receiving benefits. Remember, after you are off 7 days, benefits go back retroactively to the 1st day so you should not have to use any of your sick or vacation time.

If the doctor has released you to return to work and your employer does not have work available that fits the restrictions, and you continue to receive authorized medical care for your injuries, you should continue to receive temporary disability benefits for the period of time up to and including the date the authorized health care provider indicates as the date of maximum medical improvement.

Kate