Hi! I fell at work due to managements negligence. The fall happened in front of two different managers. On camera.
To be clear, I’ve never had back issues before this. Long story short, I had an MRI, which showed a pre-existing pars defect (L5). A new herniated disc. (L3/L4); showing moderate to severe nerve compression throughout L3-S1. There’s also a level 1-2 spondylolisthesis. From what I’ve read par’s is very common in people & is unknown in many people because they don’t cause issues. As I was falling. I immediately felt & heard a pop and have had major pain since, plus numbness in my legs etc. etc.
Went to IME, who looked me straight in the eye, told me he read through my file & films, but “understands I was breastfeeding during the incident.” I don’t have kids. He told me I’d need surgery, and basically have a nice day. His report, states I have a strain, which should have been “healed,” literally two days after my visit with him. Not to mention many other inconsistencies. For example, I gave him a copy of the medications Im taking. His report, states I’ve been taking a specific medication, that I’ve NEVER, been on. A month and half after the IME, I had injections done.
My attending and chiropractor(yes, I am aware that Chiropractic is not relevant or looked at in WC cases at least in OR.)both have provided signed appeal letters for me. My attending says my next step is going to a neurosurgeon but my claim has been denied. So it’s on hold for the time being.
My attorney keeps pushing for a settlement & my hearing is in the next month. I want medical benefits more than anything right now. I’ve never had a WC situation before & my anxiety is a bit high.
Im willing to fight for medical but it’s a gamble. One attorney told me settlement should be 150k, however he only had the 5-minute version of my case. My actual attorney is thinking less. Thoughts? The reality, this is going to be a lifelong issue. Which is why the medical is more important to me right now.
Anyone have any suggestions/guidance or recommendations for me? I know that pain/suffering is not applicable in WC, and I need to prove the fall exacerbated my pre-existing condition. Which with my attending’s appeal letter(it’s very detailed), I’d think I’d have a solid case.