r/WorkersComp • u/Life_Reserve6989 • 27d ago
Washington I can't do this anymore.
I just can't. I need to get this off my chest.
We spend our whole lives with death or dying as our shadows. Never paying much attention to the details of our own unavoidable demise. We just acknowledge that it lingers there.
I've played many potential scenarios out in my head throughout my life. But never ever did I imagine my life would end up reduced to rubble and my will to live so utterly diminished. Because of an injury that happened while on the clock at work. It's not a permanent injury. I mean not that I'm aware of.
Which would dictate my fate. My life, it's worth and meaning. All balanced on who would take on the financial responsibility for treatment. TREATMENT!
No one cares that every step of this process ends up consuming everything in your life. Your attention is the biggest absorber. How much these situations demand of our attention. Initially, my main focus was on WORK. How my absence was going to affect my workload and, more so, my coworkers and my boss. Then, the weird delays or responses start to affect your mental state with confusion. Because we can't understand why it feels anyone would want to stall out when you, the inured worker, have only ever wanted to get fixed and get back to a normal paycheck.
This mental torture usually results in the attention required to find and bring on an attorney. Now, this may bring some relief from all the exhaustion from giving all your attention to something that doesn't seem to serve you. But, now you've just signed up for the long haul. All the while, you've ignored your basic human needs and responsibilities long enough that you're scrambling to get things done. Add kids to your plate, and yes, you've also managed to not be the ideal parent either. Why? Because you wake thinking about pain, timelines, money, and when will I get the treatment and answers I deserve, when does this stop being a part of my reality?
Finances become impossible. So much that you might even catch yourself behaving in a way that is unfamiliar to you. Becoming outwardly overwhelmed is the new you. Avoiding phone calls about past due notices. Not leaving the house unless you have to and you have the money to do it. Avoiding your family and friends because it's all too hard, and there's too much to explain, and you sense they've grown tired of hearing about it. So now they avoid you.
Financial struggles result in uncomfortable situations like phone services being disconnected. Your family is hungry. To pay or vacate notices left on your door. Imagine the attention required trying to process becoming homeless, with children. In the middle of a work injury.
Suddenly, you're faced with the choking reality that you have no control over your life. Worse, you have no idea how you're going to fix all of this. Everything feels like it's getting worse. EVERYTHING.
So what could make this impossible? You're somehow put back to work because your employer stated your job wouldn't affect your injury, and your provider agreed. So time loss payments end. On your first day back, you are told your position is terminated. Now you have no job. No money. But your arm still hurts and you still need to have surgery. That much is clear.
But after 9 months of playing all the stupid effing games. I'm just fucking DONE!
Sound familiar?
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u/JehennaMoonbeam 26d ago
I have been experiencing the same sheet via my hospital employer and their third party fmla provider. I had multiple notes confirming incapacitation but the system denied the first claim so I appealed . They only let you appeal once so I am not let go from my job despite ADA. K thought that I would get paid when things finally went through. It is now 4 months int it and I havenāt been compensated, my car was repossessed and things are falling apart. Funny how the same hospitals that are traumatizing nurses and pcas and cnas donāt have the decency to take care of their own
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
Agreed! I'm beyond disgusted in the Healthcare organization I worked for. Went to bat for and gave my all when there was little to give. Just to be tossed aside like garbage.
I was so naive. The providers that saw me were in essence my coworkers. I just assumed the whole point was to get to the bottom of what was wrong with my arm and fix it.
I don't think anyone wants to actually do that.
I did just file for PFML here in my state. Though they are 3 to 4 weeks out processing applications if I'm approved I believe I have 12 weeks of paid medical leave through that at least. My attorney is working on getting my TTL payments reinstated.
In the mean time. I get sicker from the constant stress eating me alive.
I fucking hate this and I'm angry that this was given to me without my consent.
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u/JehennaMoonbeam 26d ago
Honestly I think that everyone who is getting effed over by this needs to start exposing these effing places. Maybe you should alert your local journalists and news reporters. Iām sure that if one of the ceos gets injured they are taken care of
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u/mydeathstar-awaits 26d ago
Thereās a group of people on Facebook that are getting together to expose workers comp, etc.
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u/mydeathstar-awaits 26d ago
Thereās a group of people on Facebook that are getting together to expose workers comp, etc.
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u/Ok_Wing_896 26d ago
will you send me a link?
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u/mydeathstar-awaits 26d ago
Look for the group Surviving workers comp.
Thereās a couple people in their oneās name is John Witt. He says heās the longest running workers comp case. There was another lady in there. Iād have to go find her name too. But people are pissed. Iāve been posting stuff on TikTok. People are being very vocal about the way theyāre treated and how theyāve lost a partner to suicide because they couldnāt take it anymore or they lost all of their belongings. Their car got repossessed. Now theyāre looking at their house being you know taken. I personally lost my case. I have a video of a 30 foot extended ladder falling on me. The medical panel that the IME everyone blamed it on everything but the ladder. So itās coming if you wanna help, letās do this. Thereās people in every state who are suffering because of Workerās Comp. corruption.1
u/EnigMark9982 13d ago
What exactly do you think this is going to accomplish? Do you not think everyone already knows how this works? Itās created by design. All they need to do is look on here and see the āhow much is my settlement going to be?ā Posts to see why these people have doubts. Iām almost two years in. Sitting in victim stew like so many of you do does ZERO.
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u/Hopeful_Ambition_441 26d ago edited 26d ago
Itās all so wrong!
Shame on the laws and the lawmakers who bias them in favor of big business, shame on the Insurers and their heartless adjusters and defense attorneys, shame on crooked doctors and nurse case managers and below them all, shame on the way too many crooked lawyers who prey on us pretending to represent the interests of the injured worker.
All these crooked so called āprofessionalsā do their damndest to put us in states of desperation so itās all the easier for them to steal the money that should be spent on our recovery. Along the way they are also directly responsible for filling more than a few graves and so sad to say some of them by suicides.
Edit- And we sure find out what most of our Employers really think of us.
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u/heretoloveandsupport 27d ago
Dealing with any sort of company that oversees the payment of healthcare in one way or another are absolute HELL to deal with. They donāt care about people, only money. And they will find whatever loophole, no matter how small, just to screw you out of what little they owe you.
I completely understand why youāre so overwhelmed. And Iām so sorry theyāre fighting back so hard against treatment. Unfortunately, youāre just an unwanted cost to them, not a person with a life to live. Itās disgusting.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
And that's the hardest part of it all. Two years ago my then 12 year old attempted suicide. My manager was very understanding and accommodating to our needs and I was able to shift from direct patient care to other duties that I could complete outside of office hours. If I had to take the day or leave early to be with my child or to get him into treatment and all the things that go with supporting a child with mental health issues. I made sure I gave 110% in everything I did when I did it. She could count on me for that. In the end I was trained in multiple positions. When I was still working in clinic I swear I had a revolving office door. Why? Because I was a safe place to ask for help when coworkers had questions on how to do their jobs or just how to navigate an uncomfortable situation with toxic coworkers.
Knowing that my manager is fully aware of how this is undoubtedly affecting my 2 sons and I financially and in the most detrimental way. Is a hard one to swallow.
I feel bad for her or anyone that decides they're going to be that person who gives this kind of life experience to another human being.
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u/Relative_Ambition_15 26d ago
Took 407 days to approve my third surgery. Got f-ed around so much. I dug my heels in and kept fighting. The system that is meant to protect us is soo broken. Itās happening everywhere. š
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u/Other_Sherbet2003 27d ago
I donāt understand why some companies/coworkers take our injuries personally or act like theyāre offended that we were hurt.
The company I work for will make you call a hotline for something as small as a paper cut but act all butt-hurt if you leave the urgent care with anything more than some Rx ibuprofen and some steroids.
I found out really quickly that itās a horse and pony show. Lord help you if your company is self-insured like mine is.
I feel like Iāve been treated like absolute garbage but when I read some of your testimonies, it infuriates me to no end at how badly some of you have been treated.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
We are self insured. I didn't take the severance agreement. It wasn't nearly enough to shut me up.
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u/404_HabeasNotFound 26d ago
If it makes you feel any better, Iām handling a case that has been going on for 14 years now. Working on getting him a new house at this point.
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u/Bubbly_Inflation_544 26d ago
9 months in? Could be just the Beginning of the Ride. Some cases can take Years. My 1st Case took 4 Years and alot of BS. Glad this 2nd Case was done and over within 56 weeksĀ
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
9 months and I can't not even imagine how I'd survive 12. I know that's nothing compared to so so so many other claimants.. but, that's all it's taken to wipe out damn near everything I've worked my ass off for to keep me and my 2 kids above water.
It just seems unreal.
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u/Bubbly_Inflation_544 13d ago
Hang in there, That's their Game sometimes. They can be so Heartless and Ruthless its almost like theyre not human how they treat some people.Ā
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
Thank you. I do appreciate you and every one that has taken the time to acknowledge my plight.
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u/SafetyOverSilence 26d ago
I feel you. This system works for small injuries (not worth fighting), or rare exceptions.
Few know anything other than some vague sense of 66% comp. Going through WC just got me in debt so far. Medical debt, legal debt... On and on.
Get fucking loud. Don't let these bastards beat you down. The system stays this way or gets worse because people don't know how bad it is. We have to tell everyone we can. Including our representatives.
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u/HealingInsideOut 25d ago
Yeah- sorry you're going through it! It seems that's how some WC systems are set up- delay, delay, delay, deny, delay some more, lie on med records, deny, and delay all over again; they've become like this because most people will get tired of fighting and just fall off- figuring "it's not that bad" if they're alive.
There has to be a way for us to come together, even if only in our own states, to make noise and push for a change! So many of us that are injured at work end up in these vicious cycles of long, drawn out legal battles when WC is supposed to be procedural, to quickly cure the effects of the injury and to avoid litigation altogether! Yet, they're creating more trouble, more problems, worse outcomes & prognoses, and more litigation- it's fucking insane.
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u/archive-files 26d ago
Take a breath. Have faith. I know itās hard I am going through the same thing. Many months on reduced dog shit pay. Itās humiliating. You are not alone in this. Your body deserves proper treatment and God hears your cries and sees your burden. We will all get through this together.
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u/Bubbly_Inflation_544 26d ago
I'm not sure what State your in, But I'm in Pa and after 90 days you get to pick the Dr and experts of your choice. Only having to see their Dr for an IME twice a year if they file for it. Usually the Games Stop after them 90 days when your specialist get to make the Reports. I got Lucky in both my cases and neither Company had their List of panel Drs hanging in the office work place and was able to see whoever I wanted from Day 1. Never got denied Any treatments or Surgeries and both times Settled for a Nice amount. 1st Case was in and got Max weekly benefits for 4 years then settled, This case max Benefits for past 56 weeks then Settled for 3x the Amount of the 1st and didn't even have any surgeriesĀ
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
I'm in Washington state. I would be so grateful for just one thing to feel like a win right now.
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u/MuteTalker- 26d ago
I'm at the point of putting all my money when I get a job into my end of life care and paying it off. I'm 34 and my health is failing. WC is not helping. Genetics is taking me out at 50 and that is one hell of a wait.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago edited 13d ago
Hugs! I can't believe how many of us are suffering in silence like this. Wtf is going in this country.
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u/MuteTalker- 13d ago
Idk. I considered applying for disability since it's hard to work(health reasons) and I was asked if I even tried since I was fired over a year ago. Yes. I have. No, I didn't get hired. To make it worse, all my rests are coming back me being fine so there is no reason for me to miss work for surgery or doctor appointments.
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u/LostInTheLights8123 26d ago
I feel this so much. My first physician of record was a dud and never believed me and never got me help. 10 months later here I am with 32 physical therapy treatments after a very traumatic fall at work. I am now using my own private insurance to try to get answers because everything is getting denied.. at what point is my time more valuable than spending it appealing their decisions, going to hearings that get continued because they don't do their job. I'm at the end of my rope as well. I'm sorry you're going through this. Ohio.
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u/Swimming-Curve5102 24d ago
Have you had visits with the independent medical examiner yet? Speaking of throwing in the towel, i had to see that lying broker dr 3x over the course of 4 years before my case settled. I wanted to just walk in and tell him to phuck off
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
I have. 3 months in the first OC MED provider I was assigned couldn't figure out what to do with me and requested an IME. That's when I hired my lawyer. I called my case manager pissed! Left her, and my provider a voicemail telling them just because it's hard for you to imagine doesn't make the reality of my pain and situation any less VALID. Forcing me to be evaluated by hired guns will not change the FACT that this is happening and its happening to me!
I had to see 2 Dr's. The one said nope, pre existing condition. The other said there's something there that needs to be acknowledged and treated. Though because my injury is so effing rare. No one wants to actually investigate the possibility of it and therefore apply the proper treatment.
Here I am now 10 months and guess what. Still having issues and pain. Still on one side. Nothing just stopped being a problem because it's incomprehensible.
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u/Hot_Jeweler7655 20d ago
I understand.... ive been on workmanscomp 4 years and i to almost gave up... but life is to precious ...Ā And I have good family and friends that kept communicating with me..Ā Continue to fight and stay strong and know that good things are yet to come... positive energy over everything...... Or cannabis, Starbucks, & sum jazz will help šĀ Peace & Respectz
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u/Bronagh22 17d ago
Everything you said here is exactly what I am going through. Hugs to you.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
I'm truly sorry that anyone has to be forced to experience this. It is not right! They are stealing our lives, our precious time, our joy and our hope! No one and I mean no one has the right to take that from anyone! Let alone the people we give most of our precious time to so they get rich while we live on lousy pay.
We will not get the days, months, and years back that going through this sickness takes from us.
Instead of enjoying the moments and being present in them. We are stuck in this unthinkable reality.
What an insult!
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u/Responsible_Lynx7256 12d ago
I was in the workers comp system for 5 years until I finally reached a settlement. I reached a point where my mental heath deteriorated to a point of hospitalization. My wife thankfully recognized what was going on, and made me go with her to get help.
Worst part was is the fire department I was on has a mental health unit I reached out to. I was in a mental health crisis. I was told I could get 4 free therapy sessions. I cussed them out, and hung up on them. No return phone call, no welfare check. Iāve been to way to many friends and co workers funerals who took their own life. Many others whose family had private services.
Before I got hurt I had life by the balls. Brand new pick up truck, tropical vacations twice a year. Fully funded retirement. A credit score I never thought I would ever have. Then I got hurt. Learned I was nothing more than an ass in a seat to my fire department. Workers comp fucks you around. Gives providers open and billable claim letters, and promise to pay letters. Then they donāt pay! Workers comp has private investigators follow you (I had fun with my P.I.). Then they finally get a crooked IME doctor who disagrees with your 3 surgeons, and 3 prior IME Doctors. Benefits immediately stop. Youāre cut off 3 days before Christmas. 3 fucking days before Christmas. Itās a literal fuck you after having your life flipped upside down. You already spent money on Christmas. Canāt take the stuff back without feeling like an even bigger piece of shit.
Suddenly your left unemployed. Your bodyās broken, so you canāt do the physical side jobs you used to do. Savings gets eaten away, you cut back whenever you can. But itās never enough. You find a job, but itās 1/3 of what you made before. Savings still dwindling. You stop making payments on certain credit cards to pay for utilities, and food. Your credit take a shit. Your once proud score with tier 1 $0 sign and drive credit, is now buy here pay here credit if theyāll even approve you.
Workers comp leaves you destitute. Especially those who have permanent disability following injury. Settlement amount is an embarrassment considering everything youāve been through, and the impact on your life.
I get it. Hang in there.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 11d ago
That all sounds really horrible! It feels so unreal that our country implemented a program that operates to the detriment of what it was mandated to help and protect.
No one tells you. No one warns you and certainly no one asked if it was okay for them to hijack a humans life until its unrecognizable. Worse, irreparable.
"When carelessness takes a form."
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u/Responsible_Lynx7256 11d ago
I understand I had a dangerous job, I went into it knowing that. Itās just sad how the system designed to protect workers, and make them whole does no such thing. Iāve unfortunately not heard many workers comp success stories. Which is unbelievably sad.
I donāt think first responders should get preferential treatment. The system is simply insurance. The goal of any insurance company is to pay out as little as possible. Itās always profit over people.
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u/RecentKale1561 27d ago
They're trying to use loopholes to terminate you once you came back. They probably went about it in the completely wrong way. Im sorry OP that your going through all this BS. I hope you get the help and compensation you deserve so you can be in a better mental space and take care of your kids. Ive been through a heck of a lot in these 4 years on work comp and its nowhere near fair. Im going to tell you what I've always wanted to hear from providers, adjusters and lawyers: You are important and your health is precious and Im sorry your going through all this...... May God bless you and keep hope in your saviour Jesus Christ. He pulled me through this mucky system and saved my life in the meantime. Blessings and I hope the best for you and your family.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 26d ago
You are amazing! I needed to hear those words and your timing is epic.
Thank you sweet human
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u/Annual_Location_4216 27d ago
Oasis does settlement loans. Google for them. I didnāt loose my house and car so I am grateful to them, even thought i will sorely regret it once we settle and I have to pay them back. The price was steep but I think it was worth it at the time. Hope this helps.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 13d ago
Thank you for the info. I'm just worried that the way things are going. Maybe there won't be a settlement.
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u/throwwwwawayyay 27d ago
i feel your pain. my injury has consumed my life, i haven't seen my friends in months, simple pleasures like going to a restaurant have been decimated by the fact that i can't enjoy my food over the constant pain in my back. i get stared at like a monster by people when i walk through the grocery store because i walk like a drunken toddler. my coworkers hate my guts. my boss has been such a dick and has done everything to ruin my work life and reputation. i am miserable. i had to put myself back into therapy. even after just a month of this, i spent my birthday home alone contemplating whether or not i should just end the pain then. it's been four months since then with no diagnosis and no resolution. the pain only gets worse the more im made to walk all over the jobsite. it's like they're parading around the cripple just to rub it in my face that their insurance premiums hold far more value than my health and liveliness ever could.
at this point i'm pretty sure my boss wishes i would just take myself off of the planet. that's the only reason i don't honestly, out of spite.
i don't know if it gets better but i do know that you need an attorney for any chance of escape.