back problem

[pete]

Hi, i am new to this site. I think it is great to see other people help others in support and answers , I just think it is very humane and rather decent of everyone that answers to people in this site. I need some advise from anyone that may think that they could offer some sound advise. I hurt my back this past year [ I work at a steel mill in Illinois] and at first I thought it would just heal on it own. I informed my work that i had a mri done and that i had 3 herniated disks and a 4th was degenerating. I had surgery and they cleaned up what they could. I did not claim that it was work related , even though it was. I did not want to risk my relationship with my employer and feared that they would fire me if i filed a workers compensation claim. I am 46 years old and feared losing my job. I have never filed workers comp ever and I have seen how the corporation has treated employees that have filed. It was not positive to say the least. it has been 2 months since surgery and i have the same pain as i had before the surgery. I am in pain from the time i can get out of bed until i can try to fall asleep. I fear that i will be crippled the rest of my life.I fear that I am totally disabled and will not be able to return to work. Is it to late to file? I am pretty scared. I have three kids that I am putting through in college and i am the sole provider for my family. I need help and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what my options may be. Thank you , pete

[snowbear]

Welcome to the forum pete!! You've found a wonderful place here!! There are many people on here that are very educated about wc issues. Wish I had some advice for you but some will post soon and be able to help. Again, welcome!!

[sparkey]

Welcome to the forum Pete. Sorry to hear about your back. Unfortunatly from what I read you did not make it a workers comp. claim and had the surgery etc. Now you are still having the same pain. Alot of people on here have said they did not claim workers comp for fear of losing their jobs and we always say that they should for this one reason if it did happen at work. Sometimes surgery does not go right and can be complications and such.

I do not see how you can make this a wc claim now. Maybe someone else will come along and know the true answers. That is just my guess as it was put through as your own insurance. Have you gone back to work? What state are you in? Someone will have better information.

[hurt at work]

welcome and im with sparkey i dont think you can turn this in now as you acted on ur own to fix this as if it was not a work place injury.it will be hard to prove now that its been so long and you had the surgery done on ur own.you need to be carefull if you turn this in your insurance can ask that you pay them back all they money the pain out for your medical bills and that im sure is alot.best of luck.
i know what ur saying about working in a steel mill,i did for 11-12 years and after my surgery the fired me and it was work related and im still fighting the wc system and mine happened in 05.they love you when you can break ur back for them but done break ur back then they will hate you.been there done that seen it

[capricorn]

pete...sorry you are going through this. Check your state at the top of the page and see how long you have to file a WC claim in your state. They are all different. IF you still have time I would do it. What I would do in your case is have a sit down with an expereiced WC attorney and let them guide you. Your consult will be free. If he/she feels you have a case and it's not to late I would sign with them. At this late stage you would need an attorney fighting for you so that's where I would start. Best of luck in all.


Capricorn

[Lilly]

i totally agree w/ the others.... Yes....check out how long you have, to file a claim...then you're Positively gonna need a lawyer to help and protect you If you still can make that claim
Good luck Pete, my prayers go with you! Lilly

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

In Illinois, a Injured worker has 45 days to report a injury. The problem starts when there is a major delay in reporting also. It's always best to report all and any injury, in writting to the employer right away, to have it on Record. Always save a copy of each injury Report at home, in a safe place.

If the injury had been reported verbally, and you still waited, you need to ask the employer to step up to the plate. If they can't or won't, talk with a Work Comp Attorney about what options if any you may have.

Sorry, but work comp laws can't save your job. Unless you were fired for filing a Work Comp Claim, then it can possibly save your job, but, surely you will not be happy there anymore anyways. A Work Comp Attorney can't save your job neither.

Work Comp Laws & Rules, are not the same as Labor - Employment Laws & Rules.

[Still in Limbo]

I Agree with the Others, and Bad Boy is From Il., and if Anyone could give You Sound Info., it's Him!! Not Informing Your Employer that You were Injured at Work, and then trying to Make it a Claim Now may be Very Hard, a Good w/c Attorney May be able to Help You. The Only Other Concern I have is You had this Surgery done under another Ins. Carrier, and now You are trying to Make it a w/c Claim, could that Leave You Open to Insurance Fraud? Please be Sure to Check all of Your Avenues before Acting, and I Hope You can get this Turned around! I'm 46 and became Totally Disabled due to My Injuries Listed Below at 44, and I would Hate to See that for You!! My Best, and Please Keep Us Informed!!

[highdesertguy]

pete Wrote:Hi, i am new to this site. I think it is great to see other people help others in support and answers , I just think it is very humane and rather decent of everyone that answers to people in this site. I need some advise from anyone that may think that they could offer some sound advise. I hurt my back this past year [ I work at a steel mill in Illinois] and at first I thought it would just heal on it own. I informed my work that i had a mri done and that i had 3 herniated disks and a 4th was degenerating. I had surgery and they cleaned up what they could. I did not claim that it was work related , even though it was. I did not want to risk my relationship with my employer and feared that they would fire me if i filed a workers compensation claim. I am 46 years old and feared losing my job. I have never filed workers comp ever and I have seen how the corporation has treated employees that have filed. It was not positive to say the least. it has been 2 months since surgery and i have the same pain as i had before the surgery. I am in pain from the time i can get out of bed until i can try to fall asleep. I fear that i will be crippled the rest of my life.I fear that I am totally disabled and will not be able to return to work. Is it to late to file? I am pretty scared. I have three kids that I am putting through in college and i am the sole provider for my family. I need help and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what my options may be. Thank you , pete

[highdesertguy]

pete I feel your pain, I had back surgery back in sept 2009,l3-l4-l5,laminectomy-discetomy, and the pain was better for about 20 days, then winter came. cold weather, my pain is back, same or worst as it was before, I have been told by my doctor, that ill go on permanent disability,look at the time limit for you to open your claim,I waited 30 days before I reported my case and it was accepted, the only difference I did not have surgery until aproved by wc, I wish you the best!