Question about WC

[Babyruza]

Hi there, I'm new to this site and have some concerns about my workmans comp claim. I'm in the state of Colorado. About a month ago I was injured at work, a psych. hospital. I got my hand slammed in a door (on purpose) and injured a few fingers. I did all the required paperwork and reports. I went to the workers comp doctor approx. 30 minutes after injury. He also thought my fingers were broken and did xrays, they were not broken. The doctor put it down as a "crush" injury. He splinted me and put me on a work restriction of no use of hand till next visit, one week. I went back to work with the splint and did not recieve any type of accomidations. The next week the splint came off and another appointment. I was still unable to bend my fingers and had a lot of pain. The doctor put me on a no writing limitation for two weeks. This time when I went back to work my job did accomidate me with the no writing, but wasnt happy about it. So today I went back to the doc for my third visit (two weeks since the writing restriction). I explained to the doctor that I was still having pain, and unable to write normally. I have to hold the pen or pencil at a strange angle to write because of the pain. I showed him the large lump under the skin. The doctor told me that it is called a granuloma (sp?). He stated that there was really no treatment for it and that it would always be there, could even get bigger over time. He told me that there was no reason for me to come back because there was no further treatment possible for this injury. He discharged my case and released me to full duty. I don't feel like I'm capable to do full duty because of the pain when I use my hand. I'm also concerned about his telling me how it could get bigger and it will take months if ever for the pain to go away. I did some research on this condition when I got home and it is very confusing to me. Any suggestions on what I should do now would be helpful. Thanks!!!

[nurse83]

Hi Babyruza,

I'm new to the world of W/C too. You can click on your state under the state info tab at the top of this page for more info on your state's laws.

I feel safe in saying that if you don't agree with the doc's assessment you may seek care from another provider. And I would do that ASAP since the W/C doc is releasing you and your employer most definitely will be overjoyed with the doc's decision and not attempt to accommodate you in any way.

We must remember that W/C docs 1) don't consider us the primary client--that honor goes to our employers and W/C boards causing 2) many an injured person to get sent back to work on no restrictions when this isn't an appropriate course of action 3) most W/C docs are not specialists such much as they are doc-of-all-trades

You should get lots of great info from this site; there is a lot of support on these boards. Best of luck to you!

[lostinconnecticut]

You only have one opinion. Since it's your hand and your life, I would suggest you try to get another. Comp may not want (or have) to pay, but if you can find a way to obtain a second opinion from a doctor you trust, it might help you. I don't know anything about Colorado law. Perhaps this doctor missed something, or a treatment is available that he is unaware of.
Good Luck and keep in touch.

[Lilly]

Hi,
May i also suggest you get a make an appmnt with a good doctor that specializes in "hand" injuries.
Good luck to you! Lilly