Workers Comp Help
Spinal Injuries at Work
I worked in a dialysis facility that is one of few who are very ergonomically behind. Dialysis is a very physical job that is a 12 hour day. Let me tell you I have worked my butt off because the "health care budget crisis" that is suppose to be worse for dialysis facilities. The bill was passed in 2000 that WC insurance company's can increase rates by 10.1%, the number one reason was due to the increase in medical costs. I have a point so hang on. An MRI was done on my lumbar and thoracic spine in 2000 after I was injured while tending to a patient having seizures. The MRI showed 2 herniated discs.
The doctor was a D.O. ( whatever that is). He said I only had a strained muscle and minor degenerative changes (I did not see the report at the time). I never received any time off work, he ordered physical therapy, but I had to arrange coverage at work and I had to invent my own way of not lifting, pushing, or pulling 5lb. I have very good work ethics, I have only called in sick one time in 4 years, but got coverage. I'm like alot of nurses who work in spite of pain, it's shameful to be on workmens' comp.
Well in 2001, I was injured, AGAIN!! wouldn't you know its my spine again. Only the disc is fragmented and I had a discectomy with instrumentation. About one month after surgery, I began having the same type of symptoms on my right side, nerve pain after a while is bone pain. No one could explain it.
My surgeon said he doesn't care, so I asked for a copy of my surgery report. It began by saying I had a vaginal surgery, continued with removing the wrong disc, but replacing the bone graft at the right area. It included a diagnostic procedure that is not done on a patient during surgery, as a matter of fact, you have to be awake.
I brought all of this to the RN case manager's attention. Her words, "he didn't have authorization for that", the assisting surgeon, who is my ortho, did a ct myelogram to see if it was done in the right place, it was but the disc above that is bulging.
What cracks me up is I have all my reports, now. I am only one. How many more injured workers should get all their reports and do a little auditing. Are the shareholders in private workmens comp making a good profit? How much of the profit is at the expense of an injured worker?
Like the rest of the "injured worker community" I could go on and on and on. But what's it gonna take?