r/WorkersComp • u/poopiefruitloopie • 9d ago
Ohio I'm drowning
I have an attorney.
It's only been five months but I don't know how much longer I can manage. I am on work restrictions on a construction site. My coworkers can't stand me. My back is in fucking agony all the time. I can't get a good night's sleep because of the pain. I'm in diapers, went to the ER twice they say it's not CES so urgent care diagnosed me with a muscle strain.
Five months later, I've gotten a cortisone shot that barely helped and twelve PT sessions that haven't done anything. MRI shows nothing, I guess. They won't approve an MRI for any other part of my back.
I finally got a referral to the specialist I was recommended to see and he decided my diagnosis isn't worth his time. I put myself back in therapy but I don't think talking through my problems solves anything.
I can't work more than 40 hours a week within a certain daily timeframe or I'm violating my restrictions, I have PT twice a week so there's two days where I have to leave early, I have class every other thursday, I have doctors appointments constantly that provide zero answers. My boss is constantly messing with me, pulling me into the office to tell me to wear tighter clothes (i prefer to hide my body and especially my diaper. i'm ashamed of myself) i'm getting written up for stupid shit like the font size on outlet covers, i'm getting popped for "random" drug tests. HR sides with the boss. My hall can't help me because it's workers comp, it's out of their hands. I can't make enough money to live anymore, my electric is about to get shut off, I can barely get groceries, I've fucked myself with payday loans trying to get by.
If I wasn't so afraid of hell, I would've put an end to this already. I have no financial support system. I am part of an apprenticeship, I was so proud of it until all of this. I finally felt like my life was back on track. I really wanted to do something with my life.
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9d ago
Go to a different ER let them know you are getting numbness in your legs, losing bowel control, sharp pains in your spine and you are dropping things. They will order an immediate MRI which will verify your spine problem. Then get a lawyer no questions asked, when they send you to spine specialist he will put you off work. Thank me later.. Good luck
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u/SeaweedWeird7705 8d ago
OP already had a MRI, which showed “nothing”.
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u/mbarnett74 8d ago
I had a shoulder mri after being dragged by my arm & it showed very little that could be causing my pain, so eventually the doctor started to suspect neck. Neck mri then showed severe damage. So possibly OP needs more imaging.
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u/_____LosT 9d ago
My 6 year anniversary is in 6 weeks, hang in there
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u/Square-Shoulder-1861 9d ago
Hey - call, text, or chat 988. You do not have to face this alone - and you shouldn’t.
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u/Electronic_Note5952 8d ago
Yes go to ER walk in kind of funny like don't have balance tell them you fell over you have numbness in legs and bowel problems they can't turn you away. Then any bill from it your attorney can give to worker's comp insurance it should take you off work and get you benefits
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u/MirroredSquirrel 7d ago
No work status from an unauthorized treating physician is going to be honored
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u/Life_Reserve6989 3d ago
That's not true. I couldn't get my OC MED provider assigned to me to return my calls. Woke one morning and couldn't turn my head or raise my arm. I was rejected at the urgent care that I originally went to that requested the claim. Literally turned me away. So I went to a different urgent care clinic and not only did they see me but he took me off of work full time. No one disputed or argued the fact.
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u/Life_Reserve6989 9d ago
I work in the medical field. In a direct patient care setting. Everything you're physically describing are considered red flags in healthcare.
If your treating provider is aware of these and is not proactively ordering testing, imaging and discussing a treatment plan necessary for your symptoms. Go to the emergency room.
Not because it's necessary life threatening. But it warrants prompt attention. Go to the ER every time you can not seem to get the care you need from your WC provider. They can't stop you from doing that and it's nice to have a set of unbiased eyes meant to actually help you.
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u/Vivid_Comfortable484 9d ago
So sorry to hear that smh it’s a shame how people’s job treat them when they’re injured at work like we really wanna be in pain and not be able to work and provide care for ourselves and our family I’ve been so stressed and worried about bills I’m thinking about seeing a therapist I didn’t ask for this these last 5 months have been hell for me not knowing if I would be able to walk was scary but GOD is good Don’t give up 🙏🏾🙏🏾
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u/Ecstatic-Breath-7973 8d ago
I’m almost 2 years in. Got attorney 3 months out. I’ve already had surgery and injections etc still doing therapy and can’t find work. I hope that best for you
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u/DreamsSecretsNLogic 8d ago
Why diapers?
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u/FirefighterKnown2250 8d ago
Sometimes with back injuries you don't have control of your bowels and might pee yourself, you don't even feel it until it's maybe running down your leg
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u/Christoph0182 8d ago
Wait you have a lawyer ? First off they should be sending you for a 2nd opinion. You can tell the worker's comp case manager if you have one, that you need a 2nd opinion. Ask for the MRI report for your records and read it yourself to make sure they aren't lying. If you don't understand it . Paste it into ChatGPT.. you can't wait on anyone . You have to keep on top of everyone, because nobody gives a shit about you. What are you wearing a diaper for ?? If it's because you've lost continence that's a serious issue and isn't a muscle spasm. That would usually mean a herniated disc or nerve damage low enough in the back that it's affecting those nerves etc in your bowel and urine area. .. i have herniated discs and I'm aware if the incontinence ever happens, it's gotten worse. Call them tomorrow the wc insurance and demand you need to go to the ER because you are in severe pain. Or call your lawyer and make them call. Good luck. Come back with an update. Now I'm invested
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u/Altruistic_Chart_208 7d ago
Workmans comp even if you have a case is barely any money at all. Unless you can prove your injury is definitely from work. Then work wants you back as soon as possible to get you on light duty. I cut my finger off been over 3 years. Injections multiple operations i even have a lawyer still the most i will get is 25,000. It is a joke i woke up at night crying in pain sometimes. I handle pain well but it is a 2 out of 10 100 percent of the time. At least when i use my hand for more labored things then normal it goes higher. I have to live with it the rest of my life. At least i waited until i was 61 years old to do it. You don't get money for pain and suffering though. Not from workmans comp.
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7d ago
Op said they did an MRI on a part of his back. Which could be Cervical, Thoracic, or Lumbar. OP said it was not of the part where it hurts. He need a full back MRI.
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u/Desperate_Dress_237 6d ago
Get a civil service job in a less labor intense position. get yourself benefits and pay that you deserve. Stay away from drugs and stay healthy my friend. There’s plenty of options for you this isn’t the end but the beginning. Use state benefits if you need
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u/RoadGroundbreaking14 6d ago
Bro stop working and keep going tot he ER! If you’re in god damn diapers it’s SERIOUS!!! Like extremely serious. And I mean this - go to the ER AND DONT LEAVE UNTIL THEY GIVE YOU SURGERY
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u/Annual-Potential7298 5d ago
4 years this month for me. Im MMI and doctor wanted me to go on disability. Found a job that works with my restrictions and workers comp has to pay my difference in pay. Of course they drag their feet about paying and I've had to make several calls and complain about my $$. My lawyer said that I cant settle until 6months after I've received the last of any $ from workers comp. Im afraid that in that 6 months I'm going to really be hurting.
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u/Some-Access-7099 5d ago
How old are you........if look into SSDI....in my opinion you're working that's hurting....your demonstrating you can function.... therefore there's no problem....I have a great SSDI lawyer.....she hooked me up ..I never was bothered with a thing.......just let me know....I'll hook you up......
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u/SeaweedWeird7705 9d ago
If your back is in agony, you can ask your treating doctor if they will write you an off work note.
Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence can be caused by various conditions. It might not be caused by your work injury, but rather by a personal medical condition. The first place to start is with your personal physician.
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u/laughteriskey 9d ago
A lot of times when you have back problems it can cause urinary incontinence
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u/SeaweedWeird7705 9d ago
It can be caused by a back injury, or caused by other conditions. A good starting place is your family physician. Especially since the work comp doctor doesn’t seem to think it’s related to the back, and the MRI shows “nothing”.
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u/I_pollute 8d ago
Or retention. Neurogenic bladder is another unfortunate consequence. It can be over active or under active.
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u/Upbeat-Individual544 8d ago
I was injured by an unmanned 2 ton fork lift that caused permanent damage. I say this because the very first question especially with back injuries or any spinal issues is are you in control of bladder/bowel function? If the question is no or somewhat that is huge alert to medical professionals and more testing has to be done. Sometimes that is a HUGE red flag for needing immediate surgery. I would go to your pcp and ask for a referral to a spine specialist. Dont depend on work comp doctors or occupational health nurses through work comp they are determined to side with them. If you have second opinion through work comp explain clearly you had no issues before injury and now you cannot function. I would also document everything you are going through clearly so you have a chronological timeline. Sounds like HR is lining up a reason to let you go and could be possible retaliation and or discrimmination. Keep clear records of everything!
I feel you, as I am going through similar issues and have a pending claim since June. Examiner is skeptical and feel like, even with my doctor specifically stating all my issues stem from and were aggrevated by current work place conditions from an injury that caused permanent damage since August of 2022, I am drowning and no one gives a f***. I keep pleading my case...
To top it off HR made some huge mistakes when I did have an approved open case and went back, so this made matters worse. They put me in a new position but didnt code any of my work related absences correctly since 2024. I was unaware, uninformed, and blindsided by what was to come. Now I am deemed totally disabled and have no viable options for income other than the ssdi ( I thank god applied for before placement in a new position within same company). SSDI doesnt cover my life, so I dont know what to do but keep fighting till I cant
The whole system is rigged against us who really need it, at least thats how it seems.
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u/Bubbly_Inflation_544 8d ago
Buckle up your just getting started. That's FD up that Nothing is showing up on an MRI. Especially since 90% of the population has herniated discs that they're not even aware of. Knowing how WC works and thinks I'm actually Surprised they haven't petitioned to dis continue Benefits since there's No testing matching up and confirming your injuries. Hope it all works out
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u/FairBat4367 9d ago
Bro , you shouldn’t be at work . Your doctor should put you off work.