New and wondering what to expect

[nauticalgurl1]

Hello everyone! I'm new to all of this and have been trying to educate myself on what to expect from Workman's Comp as I have recently had to submit a claim. I've been working at my present job for less than a year as a Maint. Tech and notice my hands going numb after several long months on the job. I went to a doctor(Dec. 2007) to try and see what was up and was told that more than likely I had a pinched nerve in my neck and was prescribed some medication. I was told that if my symptoms persisted I could come back and we'd investigate further. In March(2008), my symptoms get worse. So, I go back to see my doctor and he wants to have some tests done(Cervical Spine x-ray, Cervical spine MRI and an EMG)to try and rule out some things. Long story short...I have severe bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome. My family dr. makes an appt. with an orthopedic specialist for me to follow-up with. When I go back to work after my dr.'s appt. I inform my hr manager of this and everything that has lead up to that point. She tells me that I should have filled out an injury report and submitted paperwork for WC at the first occurence of numbness in my hands. So I submit an injury report and continue working. After several weeks my employer finally begins their investigation into "my injury". I wasn't sent to Occupational Medicine to be checked out only until I asked about it which was 10 days after I reported the injury. The dr. at OccMed examines me and sends me back to work with restrictions which once my employer gets a look at them..they send me home because they have nothing for me to do with those restrictions...which is fine...I understand all of that.

So, after another appt. with my orthopedic specialist in which we are filling out paperwork to be submitted to the BWC, I recant my story to him of everything up to this point...noting to him that I have a follow-up appt. at OccMed in a week. I return to OccMed for my follow-up and am given a continuance of work restrictions. Submit these to my employer and they once again send me home because they have nothing for me to do within my restrictions. Yesterday, I spoke with a member of my orthopedic dr.'s staff that I submitted my BWC paperwork with. She notes that my package is now complete and they are going to send it off. I've been very good at documenting everything has happened to me and she doesn't foresee much of a problem. We are looking to have surgery and get me back to work. In reading past threads on here and browsing thru the laws for Ohio I've been tryiing to get an idea on how long does it take for claims to be approved/disapproved? I imagine my employer will be dragging their feet in this process... While all this is going on...I'm stuck at home with no income coming in and I'm not due to go back to my orthopedic specialist until June 10th and they don't know if we'll have an answer by then. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

[Still in Limbo]

If You go to the Main Page of this Forum You will find an "Info. by State" Tab. There should be Numbers there You can Call to See if Your Claim has been Filed, and the Status of such. If Your Claim hasn't been Filed by Your Employer, they should be able to Guide You to Your Next Step. Best of Luck, and Welcome to the Boards!!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

In my past understandings on Ohio, is must people very seldom have problems. But when they do, they simply apply for a hearing and iron the issues out.

http://www.ohiobwc.com/worker/default.asp

[nauticalgurl1]

Ok...been doing some reading on Ohio laws...and I have a question. When I finally did get to be seen by OccMed as per my employer, the doctor sent me back to work with restrictions(weight lifted and no repetitive movements with hands, wrists, arms) but because of these restrictions my employer didn't have any work for me to do and the EMPLOYER sent me home. At follow-up appt. with OccMed dr. I told him this and he said it was up to my employer. Needless, to say my orthopedic specialist and his WC rep weren't happy to hear any of this..took a statement from me and had me fill out paperwork for BWC...Did I read the laws wrong because it said that only the dr. could remove me from work????

Thanks in advance

[1171]

Since the employer doesn't have lite work for you disability payments continue.

[Lilly]

Hi.
Are you receiving WC payments weekly now? If not, you should be, once your WC claim is accepted and after appropriate (for your state)waiting period is over...you should receive back pay to that point.
Good luck, Lilly

[nauticalgurl1]

No, I am not receiving any compensation yet. I've only been off work for 2 weeks. Should I be calling someone at the BWC to find out the status of my claim as I am unaware of how long this process takes or is it my employer I need to contact? I filled out BWC paperwork at my ortho's office with their WC rep and I filled out BWC paperwork at OccMed.

[Lilly]

Hi there,
i would call HR and find out how long you are expected to wait on compensation to start.
Lilly