WC Wisdom and Help Needed

[chrischris]

Hi All,

I need insight and wisdom. My case is at a point I need to make some critical decisions and if I make the wrong ones, I may regret them for the rest of my life. I’m so confused.
I’ve been placed back on TTD.

Primary Treating Physiccian says:
1. Hire an attorney
2. And, File a Stress Claim
3. Or, Call my Claims Adjustor and ask for advice on what to do.

This PTP (my 2nd ) has been good to me. I trust and respect his opinions. I do have other Treating physicians with dueling diagnosis. This is another issue and I am sure will have to be settled eventually by PQME process. The difference of opinions has to do with my cervical injury.

I’m so torn up and can’t decide what to do. If I file a Stress Claim, it’s no turning back which means my career has ended. This hasn’t just been a job to me. I’m middle management and was working/training towards a key management position. This goal has been flushed down the toilet by my employer when I filed for WC in Feb. 2006.

At first, I believe my employer was truly concerned and was working with me, but as time went on, I believe my employer became frustrated because I wasn’t getting better, and then I amended my original claim to include Bilateral CTS and RSD. To make a long story short, my immediate supervisor has since created a very hostile work environment and has made me her target. After unsuccessful attempts to rectify the problems with her, I went above her head to her boss. After that very emotional meeting, I left work for a physical therapy appt., and haven’t been back. I can’t cope with it anymore. I feel like my world is ending, and I feel such hatrid for my supervisor that I’m ashamed of myself. She has reduced me from a very strong successful employee to who I am now, crying all the time, no self-esteem, and afraid to make any decisions. My heart is so broken and it hurts!

Summary: California, new law. Date of Injury: Feb. 2006 – RSI to neck (3 level herniation), Entire Upper Left Extremity, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Claim amended in Dec. 2006 due to compensable consequences including Right Sided CTS, and RSD. Dominant Hand CTS Surgery July 2006, plus numerous other procedures .

Any opinions on how to proceed would be welcome and appreciated. Thank you to all.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Almost sounds like Batter Wife issues, but Batter employment issues. Like your Boss or Supervisor, loves to have complete Control over people. Like making them feel, their jobs are in their hands, and can be gone in a snap of the fingers. If that is the way it is. I would agree with your Doctor get an Attorney, for even RSD when settlement time comes, is a issue hard to handle by yourself. Listen to your Doctor.

[capricorn]

CC.......i am so sorry you are going through this. i was there last summer. almost at the top when i was injured. my supervisor and a couple of co-workers hurt me so badly that i had a breakdown. please don't let them do this to you. i woke up one day and realized i was an IW with lots of other health issues that my supervisor didn't care about. he has lied, denied my claim because he was mad at me. CC....he doesn't pay my bills, keep my warm at night, give me his shoulder to cry on, feed me, not get too fresh when helping me shower as my husband has done. you need an attorney to take most of the burden off of you. i also had to make a life altering decision that was not easy. but i made the best one for me. i send you prayers for clarity of mind in making the best decisions for you and peace of mind after you've made them.

CAP

[MJC]

Chris,
You stated you have a PTP doctor and others they have different opinions.  Have all of these doctors been accepted by WC to render medical attention for you?  Also, are any of these doctors are of your choice or doctors that WC has sent you to for evals or treatment?  Hope to hear from you.  Take care!
MJC

[1171]

You already know my opinion on the need for counseling - get it; it can help.
Whether it's caused by the job and the injury or other issues, I'll leave to the psychiatrist to determine.
If it is then don't hesitate to file it as workers comp.
You also might find some positive direction by looking into vocational rehabilitation. While workers' comp no longer provides this benefit, discussing a carreer change with a professional could be very beneficial.
The DWC website has a list of qualified VR  representatives that used to handle work comp clients. Being enthused about a new direction could be helpful to your state of mind.

[jayne]

get a lawyer I also was at middle management with my own store all was taken from me when I was unable to continue to work like a dog for them....when I got the lawyer they had to voice all conserns thru him.....most harrassment stopped except from the -itch that wanted my job....I let go and let her have it .......she has aged 10 yrs in the last year....she didnt know what it was she coveted.....A GOOD LAWYER can help tremendously A BAD LAWYER will add to your problems....get a good one he/she will be worth anything you have to pay em

[Still in Limbo]

Chris, I'm very sorry to hear of your current situation, I've dealt with the personality type you explained your Boss has, and it's no picnic. Under normal circumstances and if you were in good health, I'm sure you could fight this situation and from speaking with you on here, I feel confident you could of handled this person with little effort. But with your current Health issues, along with the stress and depression that accompanies such, along with the pain your in I would have to agree with your Dr. He's looking at this with a clear head and from a purely Medical standpoint without the emotion you are and he sees what would be best for you. I would hire the Attorney, File the claim, (You at least know this Dr. will back you on it), and let your attorney handle the adjuster. The adjuster you have to remember, even though it may seem they are nice and are working with you, work for the i/c and their main job is to close claims with the least amount of monetary loss. I wouldn't look to them for your best interest, In my opinion I would let the attorney do that for you. I wish you the Very Best, and please let us know how it goes!!

[red1030]

Hi ChrisChris...I am so sorry to hear what is happening to you. Making a life altering decision is ....more than most of us ever thought that we would have to handle. I understand your concerns as I am sure the people on this board do. It is hard to accept...you are going in one direction as a good or great employee and then suddenly to no fault of your own...bang...you are not needed or wanted there anymore. It is heartbreaking.

For me, I believe I would want someone to tell me to get help so that I could make a rational and long lasting decision that affects the rest of my life. I think that I would need to get some of the flogs our of my head and then move forward. If you have not seen someone...do it soon. It will make a world of difference in terms of how you are viewing the situation now.. I wish you the best. Keep us updated and my prayers are with you...

[Wink]

chrischris Wrote:Hi All,

I need insight and wisdom.    My case is at a point I need to make some critical decisions and if I make the wrong ones, I may regret them for the rest of my life.   I’m so confused.
I’ve been placed back on TTD.

Primary Treating Physiccian says:
1. Hire an attorney
2. And, File a Stress Claim
3. Or, Call my Claims Adjustor and ask for advice on what to do.

This PTP (my 2nd )  has been good to me.  I trust and respect his opinions.    I do have other Treating physicians with dueling diagnosis.    This is another issue and I am sure will have to be settled eventually by PQME process.    The difference of opinions has to do with my cervical injury.

I’m so torn up and can’t decide what to do.     If I file a Stress Claim, it’s no turning back which means my career has ended.

Tough love here, like it or not.  Advice:

Choose number 1 and 2.  Don't delay.  Forget number 3.  Just forget it.  File the Stress Claim.  As for your carreer, if you don't have your mental and physical health then you really have nothing anyway.  (Take care of your vehicle or you ain't ridin' no where).  There's always something better around the bend, if you will it. Don't let your I.Q. get in the way of common sense, like what almost happened to me.  You know how I feel about lawyers.  Get one.  But get a fine one.  As I told you before on the old forum, 'The quality of EVERYTHING concerning my WC case rose in my favor'.  So, too, will it rise in yours.

Wink

[chrischris]

Thanks all for the "tough love."    I'm actually starting to feel comfortable about the lawyer thing, since i've heard it said so often and now my doctor even suggesting this?

Today, I did some research and have narrowed my initial search down to four W/C Attorneys.   So, on Monday the calling begins.  

Wink,   I do use IQ over Common Sense.   In this case, it will get me nowhere fast.    Thanks for the slap.   Ha!

1171, I know I need counseling.     My PTP said that with new laws in Calif, for any further medical on work stress, such as counseling, I have to file a stress claim.   For depression he's provided meds only.  Counseling was denied by IC.       I know this isn't exactly ACOEM correct with Chronic Pain, but I haven't pushed it.     I'm between a rock and a hard place and can't make simple decisions.   Ugh!     As far as VR, I think California has a voucher system.   I can't imagine starting a new career.  The thought just saddens me so much, and I don't know how I could get excited about this idea.    Anyway, who would hire an Accountant that can't use their hands very much?      Maybe I could VR and learn to use my toes on the 10-key?   Sorry 1171, a little sarcasm.   I always appreciate your views    

MJC,  All my docs, Primary and Treating, are from my employer's MPN (Medical Provider Network)   They are all specialists, who I have chosen.   Two are QME's, but for me, just Treaters.    My first PTP was Frontline and very much IC owned.    In California new law,  all medical referrals, procedures, medications, etc., have to go thru Utilization Reveiw at IC for delay, denial, or approval.   No doctor in California is presumed correct in his diagnosis.    

For everyone else who replied, I thank you for your comments, opinions, and prayers.    Thanks for listening to me.  It's been hard to cope.