Workers Comp Help
Neck Injury, Lower Back and Repetitive Strain
From the moment I reported my work-related injury, I was called by the insurance company and told to return to work.
The claims adjuster demanded that I return to work. I told her that both arms are affected and that I am in a lot of pain. She did not seem to care. I asked her if she had a conscience, to this she said sure I do, but you still have to return to work. I told her that my doctor had given me a note, and that I did not have to return to work until I saw the specialist. She said she had talked with the doctor, and that I had to return to work.
At this point I got a lawyer. When I called the doctor, he at first wanted me to return to work. When I told him both arms were affected, and if he would put that in writing, I would return to work. He would not do that.
It has now been one year, they declared me permanent stationary. They did not inform me about this. As a matter of fact, my lawyer called me 33 days after the fact, and told me not to call the doctor. Then when I had proof, to support my case and my injuries, my lawyer quit. On the very same day that my doctor declared me permanent stationery, he had given me a note declaring me still disabled. Both on the same date. However, the insurance company has stopped paying the money, and have notified SDI of my status and stopped that income. And refuse to give me my disability checks.
Now I’ll see my sixth doctor, who is hired by the insurance company for a second opinion. I find it highly insulting; after five doctors reports they want another? I am in constant pain unable to work, without the ability to work because of the chronic pain I suffer from. I thought as Americans we were supposed to help each other. I have been treated like a criminal, I am low on funds, and I am unable to return to a self-supporting job.
After I see this next doctor, I feel my case will be at a loss. I’ll have to take what they offer, and do what I can to survive. I am 35, I live with chronic pain, and both hands are very affected. I have low back pain, I have neck pain, and I have painful elbows. I worked in shipping and receiving in a metal shop. I used my hands for packaging and data entry. I lifted, wrapped boxes, and moved through thousands of metal parts.
The caseworker said my injuries are a result of the nature of my work, and she was hired by the insurance company to investigate me. All she really wanted was to debunk my case.
Am now awaiting my final judgment. I am unable to return to work, but I will do something. I have to eat, I liked working, and I never wanted to stop working. This system has left me without any respect for workers comp insurance. If, you get hurt on the job, you better hope it is just a minor injury; otherwise you’ll end up in the poorhouse just like me.