Quick Question

[mjm44]

I was injured at work and DX was acute back strain. Injury caused by lifting.

Can I activly seek employment else where while off on comp?

The job I wish to apply for is a much better job, requires no lifing and I would hate to loose the oportunity because of the comp claim.

Can someone advise?

TIA

[stiffnecked]

Sure you can apply. If they are paying you time loss benefits you should notify them immediately or you could end up paying them back.

[ksgirl]

Are you sure it's just a back sprain? That's what they tried telling me for three months till I finally convinced them that I needed an MRI. I had a herniated disc and two bulging discs.

From what I understand you can find a different job. If you make more money at the new job, you won't get any pay from wc. If you make less, wc will make up the difference (I might be wrong on that). Wc will still take care of your medical, but you have to take care not to injure yourself worse on a new job or wc will fight it.

I would make sure what my injury is before I find a new job. Drs like to say everything to do with a back injury is a strain. They will treat you for that for months and it often turns out to be more involved than just a strain. I wish you luck and let us know what happens!

[mjm44]

Thank you, I never had a back problem before and surely don't enjoy it. I hope this is something that will resolve itself "within 2 weeks" as it "typical " of a back strain.

I'm not sure about anything at this point except I hurt like hell and eveyone treats me as if I'm faking it.

The job I seek is a sit down job that pays twice what this job pays. I can't let that opportunity go by,

I decided that if it did mess up the comp claim then so be it, I think 195 bucks a week on comp or 500 bucks a week behind a desk.

Comp claim is only now in the beggining stages, injury was Saturday, Er visit Saturday, Family Doc Monday. I doubt the billing departments have even processed the bills yet.

I just wanted to make sure that comp wasn't gonna sue me for tons of money or something.

Thanks, and best of luck and speedy recoveries to all of you, sure sucks how the injured worker is treated,

[monster]

mjm - I agree with Tweety. Many of us here were initially diagnosed with back strain only to find out later that isn't the case. If your back continues to hurt or the pain gets worse please seek medical attention and push them for an MRI.

[stiffnecked]

Take the new job. It doesn't close out the medical portion of your workers comp. claim. If the back gets worse over time you would still be entitled to the medical benefits and time loss.

[capricorn]

mjm......I am on my third back injury. All 3 times first dx was strain/sprain. Wrong in all 3 cases. It took time. Please be careful.


CAP

[mjm44]

Of course I would, but in the big picture I can't let an extra 300 bucks go down the drain, especially if it doen't involve any lifting, which is what caused the injury in the first place.

You all hae me very worried now. Can a person with a ruptured disk do a sit down job?

What would you do?

I watched my sis get jerked around by the system for over a year , she never did recieve a good DX and never really recieved a good treatment, they just sent her back to work with limitations ( shoulder injury)

I personally don't want to be jerk around by a system that could give a rip about the individual , it's all about getting them back to work and saving their money.

My thoughts are, IF I can land the new job, and I have pretty good feeling I can, then I would be better off making the extra cash and paying for my own treatment with the nice insurance, if more treatment is needed.

But, scine this is all new to me, I have no clue about much, only my thoughts and opinions, based upon what I have seen in the past.

I've already lost my home to foreclosure, when I lost my job, so the extra cash the new job affords means a better life free of bill collectors, shut off notices and always worrying if someone is watchingm e do more than they think I should be able to do,

but yes, if my back does not imporove I would certainly seek medical attention, even if I had to do so out of pocket.

Any and all information or thoughts and opinions you can offer are greatly appreciated.

[monster]

mjm - I have been off work for over 3 years with what was initially diagnosed as acute cervical and lumbar back strain and derangement of my left knee. After being taken off work initially by my personal doc for 3 weeks I was no better at all. That is when I decided to file for WC. In hindsight I now wish I would have used my personal insurance but I was in such bad pain I could not continue working and therefore keep my insurance, so I had to go the WC route. Now both my hips are involved as well as my sacro illeac so your back and the way you walk/sit will have an effect on other parts of your body.

I would apply for the new job. If you get it and I hope you do you will find out quickly how long you can sit at a desk. You may not know until you try. You may find that it's not a problem for you or you may find that you get worse over time. If your doc has released you to return to work or modified duty then you are doing nothing wrong but I would keep that claim open just in case. Just my thoughts and I know others will be here shortly with more opinions. Take care and best of luck.

[AQA]

What I think this boils down to is the extent of the injury. I was dx with a lower lumbar sprain/strain. That was over two years ago and three surgeries. I am waiting for approval for the next procedure.

An Issue I see is, What happens if your injury requires surgery, followed by weeks or months of recovery?? Is the new job going to hold the position open for you to recover??

With that being said. I did return to work after my second surgery, but before my last my employer let me go because of my restrictions. My monitary benifits restarted.

Every state is different when it comes to wc.. If I were in your shoes, I would be running the question by a few attornies. I am all for someone trying to improve thier life and I wish you well. But Protect yourself.

As far as sitting and a low back problem. I have a low back problem and I am limited on how long I can sit.

Take Care.