Totally new to WC - work or not work?

[kate]

Although I don't normally just say "lawyer up", in this case, it can't hurt to at least get a free consultation. From what I've read about KY WC, you have the choice of physician.

If you are in severe pain, you need medical treatment. If you feel better doing so, contact an attorney for a free consult and ask them what you should do about getting treatment. Although, if its that bad, at least go to a walkin clinic or something.

But make sure you do something right away. The longer you wait, the more it will seem like it is no big deal to the employer and IC. They will figure if you went so long without treatment, it couldn't be that bad.

Not to be a nag, but.... Don't wait around!

[Centaura57]

kate Wrote:Although I don't normally just say "lawyer up", in this case, it can't hurt to at least get a free consultation. From what I've read about KY WC, you have the choice of physician.

If you are in severe pain, you need medical treatment. If you feel better doing so, contact an attorney for a free consult and ask them what you should do about getting treatment. Although, if its that bad, at least go to a walkin clinic or something.

But make sure you do something right away. The longer you wait, the more it will seem like it is no big deal to the employer and IC. They will figure if you went so long without treatment, it couldn't be that bad.

Not to be a nag, but.... Don't wait around!

I'm feeling so "stuck in the middle" right now! I am leaving to see my aunt tomorrow morning and I'm currently babysitting my ex's dog, so now trying to deal with 2 of them in my tiny apartment. He won't be back until tonight and then he's taking both dogs to his place so I can see my aunt.

And yes, I do need some kind of medical treatment. I just don't know what. Although the pain is constant and sleeping is a real *itch, not to mention "activities of daily living", I am dead broke and can't add to my bills. My rent is now 3 months behind (that's how much I've had to cut back working) and I have only enough gas to get to the hospital in case of an emergency. All utilities are at max and shut off notices will be coming in soon. I had to get my ex to buy me a half gallon of milk so I could at least have cereal to eat (ex is stingie so will never be of REAL help) and I will only get about $200 on my next check which isn't until next Monday. Things are more than tight around here.

I just got a call for free consultation with WC attorney - more later. Ah, waiting on call back now. Sister is doing the driving (thank goodness she only lives 20 miles from me) and after the 4-hour drive to aunt's I'll be on some borrowed pain meds that make me itch but help with the pain, so it will be Monday before I can do anything about this - hope that attorney calls back REALLY SOON!

[Centaura57]

And I should add that I have no health insurance. I signed on with this company in October and their 90-day clause meant I couldn't get insurance coverage until February and I would have to be a full-time employee. Well, in January is when I told them my arm was hurting too much to work full time so in order to stay employed, I would need to cut back to 20 hours. I did the cut back and it wasn't long before I wasn't able to work even 12 hours (and along about that time they also started running out of work so lucky to get those 12 hours). Because of this, I've ended up seriously in the hole and no help in any direction. I don't know the in's and out's of getting help for bills and housing, but what I've been able to find says I have to be disabled, pregnant or with children under the age of 2, or a drug addict. I don't fit any of those categories. And...I still sort of have a job if I could do it.

I fought to keep my job as long as I could take the pain. I told them in January it was hurting pretty bad and told them last Thursday it was hurting impossibly bad and asked to file WC. Now a week later they tell me WC tells me there is no injury. That's where it stands.

[capricorn]

It sounds to me like they denied your claim because they did not have an "out of work" note from a physician. Most states have laws as to how many days you have to treat with a Dr., some states the employer must provide a list of panel Dr.s that you have to treat with for a specific period of time. In my state if you do not treat with a physician who puts you out of work and you submit that note to your employer or the W IC it would be an automatic denial. They have no reason to believe you are injured if you took yourself out of work. This was Lilly's concern. I would see an experienced WC attorney as soon as possible.


CAP

[Centaura57]

I'm trying to do that as we speak - get a WC attorney - you know, no one tells you anything and when they do, there's always a contradiction to go along with it. WC sure didn't say get to a doctor and my state (KY) is one of those places that says you just go see your doctor, but w/o claim #, can't do that - then when I finally get a "claim", it's denied - very confused about the whole picture. I have no money to even do an out of pocket type deal. Unless that attorney can get the ball rolling, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard spot. All out of ignorance of the "system". And the "system" sure doesn't want to facilitate knowledge cause that could cost them!

So I wait for attorney advice. IF I can get one to call me back!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Work from home doing medical transcription;

What did the denial letter state?

Work Place Standards, where they met? (even though it's home)

Reptive motion injuries in many to most cases takes place after a year or so in time frame. Since it happened in the home, how would the employer know you just didn't fall in your own home? As you can see, these are issues they will look at. Renters insurance for a bussiness based home operation then would be needed, depending on wheter or not the Landlord approves and allow this to take place in their building.


KY is full of resources from related living assistance food stamps, medical and so on. Even the church around the corner will help you.

If you need help with general workers compensation questions or payment of medical bills, we urge you to contact your attorney, or the Office of Workers' Claims ombudsmen or specialists at their toll-free numbers: 800-554-8601 in Frankfort, 800-554-8602 in Pikeville or 800-554-8603 in Paducah.

[Centaura57]

Yes, have done this for 8 years straight (from home whole time), only out of work 2 weeks at the beginning of 2007 when I changed jobs to a lousy company, then found this new company. Up to industry standards as far as setup. I haven't received a denial letter yet - was told over the phone and she said that the letter should arrive in 2 to 3 days. Repetitive injury may take more than a year, but it was with this job that the twinges started that just kept getting worse and worse until it became constant pain and unable to move my arm in any sort of upward direction. After doing a lot of reading, on this type of injury it doesn't matter if it started at old job but was not of any consequence or unnoticed, only where/when it became a true limitation. Have finally spoken with an attorney but it was mostly fact gathering. Expect to hear back from him sometime tomorrow. Apparently there is a book out there that would have told me all I needed to know to go about this properly, but if I can't afford $1.49 for half a gallon of milk, I sure can't afford the + $15.00 for that book. lol And of course THEY (meaning my employer and the WC people) only tell you what they want you to know - [/color]apparently THEY only want you to know absolutely nothing!!!!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

well I don't see any relief for you as fast as you would like it. You will need to venture out for some State Aide for now. And I would guess the only good answer to your injury, is going to have to come from an Attorney.

[jstadfrntpn]

hi there!
In addition to my back problems i too had a torn rotator cuff injury that required surgery, if you are offered therapy i think that is the best avenue and you will recover better that way, if you have surgery you will have the same pain afterwards and will have to go through the same therapy. u need to make sure your employer does help you, it is their duty, and thats what attorneys are for if they do not comply.

[sparkey]

What was the name of the book if i may ask? I ordered one called the " Ultimate guide to workers compensation" that i am expecting to arrive in the mail on the 28th. Figured i would order something to read up on seeing I do not have any lawyer involved and still waiting on my IME since April. 3rd.

I had called my workers comp. advocate 2 times and she contacted the adjuster and both times she called he said he had not received it yet and as soon as he does I will get a copy.

We will see. Giving them another week. I need the info before May 7th , my next PM appt.