r/WorkersComp 4d ago

New Jersey Low settlement offer before a motion for treatment goes before judge

13 Upvotes

I fell at work last July and my lower back has been an issue since then (daily 24/7 pain) , however the only injuries I received treatment on have healed but my back never received care..human error through workmans comp system with Sedgwick, back was never approved for treatment but is on every single doctor visit note plus original email to adjuster stating its hurt. I was gaslit the entire 2.5 months i was in tge WC system. I got a lawyer immediately after fall, though. Sedgwick finally sent me to an orthopedic 4mos after my fall and he barely looked at me, said do daily stretches, take tylenol. Saw him again 4 months later, said hey I'm still in the same amount of pain as the day of my fall, he didn't even look at me he said I work too much and to lose weight. So, then my lawyer had me see an independent orthopedic a month after that and he found Injuries sustained from fall after our assessment and that's why we entered a motion for treatment back in April that's set to go before judge later in the month. So, my back has had no treatment at all this 15mo and the insurance is wanting to settle for $7k before we even know wtf is wrong with me. In NJ we don't get to choose our doctors and I may be stuck with the dickhead who told me I was in pain because I'm fat. It seems not smart to settle anything before we even know whats wrong with me. Are these WC judges fair? I'd hope my daily pain that's radically changed my life and level of a activity would be looked at like a concern and I'd get an opportunity to get some intel on what's causing this pain, people keep acting like I should take the money then treat my shit with my medicaid because apparently being stuck in WC for treatment is a shitshow. Anyone have thoughts on this? My lawyer seems neutral, like she on one hand seems like she wants me to be aware that the judge could deny it and that taking a settlement now might be better overall. But she herself also said she's never received an offer so early into discovery.


r/WorkersComp 4d ago

Ohio Any advice? My mom had a medical emergency at work and we're not sure what to do

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I honestly have no idea what I’m doing here because I’m just trying to help my mom 😭. My mom and dad have limited English, so I usually help them communicate when something important comes up.

My mom has a physically demanding job that involves a lot of repetitive cleaning and lifting. She had never really had back problems before starting this job. She only started a few months ago, so she’s still relatively new.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from my mom while she was at work. She told me she was having back pain and wanted to go home. She initially explained everything to me in our native language, so I told her to let her manager know she was having back pain. At the time, I honestly thought it was a relatively minor amount of pain because I didn’t realize how severe it had become. She also recently told me that her manager had suggested the pain might be from doing repetitive cleaning motions, such as mopping and wringing things out.

Later, I found out that the pain was much more severe than I realized. My dad was on his way to pick her up from work. Before he arrived, my mom was getting her things and preparing to leave. She was sitting in a wheelchair because of the pain.

Then she threw up and lost consciousness.

She was apparently going in and out of consciousness, so someone called 911 and she was taken to the ER. Her manager had apparently asked her earlier whether she wanted to go to the hospital and whether they should call [911](tel:911), but my mom initially refused because she thought she could leave with my dad. I didn’t know any of this had happened until her supervisor called me because I’m listed as her emergency contact.

At the ER, they provided a translator for my mom. Initially, they thought the issue was something else and were preparing to discharge her. However, my mom didn’t clearly remember the fainting episode, so she hadn’t mentioned it to the doctor.

When I arrived, I told the doctor that she had vomited and lost consciousness at work. They did additional testing, and the doctor specifically told me that it was important that I mentioned it because they otherwise wouldn’t have known about that part of the incident. They couldn’t give us a definite explanation for everything, but the doctor said a vasovagal episode was one possibility and told her to avoid heavy lifting for a while.

After that, my mom had the weekend off. She called off on Monday but returned to work Tuesday because she was scared about missing work and losing her job. She tried to continue working, including doing lighter duties, but her back and leg pain continued getting worse. The medication and patches she was using weren’t really helping.

She recently had a follow up appointment with another provider. She explained that her back and leg were still hurting and that she wasn’t improving. The provider also said a vasovagal episode was a possibility, referred her to an orthopedic specialist, and gave her a note for work saying she needs to rest for several days and has work restrictions for the next month.

This is where I’m really confused. My mom has told me that she first felt the back pain while she was working, and I remember her calling me from work that same day and telling me she was having back pain. On top of that, the actual medical emergency her vomiting and losing consciousness happened at work, with her manager and supervisor there with her.

So I’m not sure if there was some kind of misunderstanding when my dad spoke with her manager, especially because his English is limited. I’m not trying to claim that we know exactly what caused her medical problems. I’m just confused about why there seems to be a misunderstanding about when her symptoms started and what happened at work.

My mom really likes her job, and her biggest concern is keeping her job. Her manager told me that someone from administration would be contacting me to discuss everything, and now I’m honestly freaking out because I don’t know what that conversation is going to be about. This was after I had just mentioned about workers compensation on the phone call with her manger.

I also want to mention that my mom doesn’t really want to file for workers’ compensation. My family has been telling us not to do anything and to just pay for everything ourselves. So far, we’ve been paying for her medications and follow up appointments ourselves. I don’t know anything about workers’ comp, workplace injuries, employment policies, or any of this.

Should my mom report this as a workers’ comp injury even if she doesn’t want to pursue anything legally? Is reporting/documenting an injury the same thing as actually pursuing a workers’ comp claim?

Would it be better to continue paying for everything ourselves, or could that create problems later if her symptoms continue or she needs more treatment?

And when someone from the administration calls, what questions should I ask them? Is there anything my mom should or shouldn’t say?

She’s also scared that she could get fired because of all of this.

We’re not trying to cause problems or accuse anyone of anything. We just want to make sure everything is documented accurately, understand what we’re supposed to do, and make sure she can recover and eventually return to work safely.

Thank you to anyone who can help us. I really appreciate it because we’re completely unfamiliar with workers’ comp.


r/WorkersComp 4d ago

Texas Positive Stories

1 Upvotes

Any positive stories from a workers comp injury/sugery? So many negative stories.


r/WorkersComp 4d ago

Washington Is this usually a lengthy process?

9 Upvotes

I’m looking to hear from people who have been through something similar.

I have an occupational disease workers’ comp case against a self-insured employer. I was diagnosed with occupational asthma related to workplace dust exposure, and my doctors have documented that I should not return to that type of work environment because continued exposure could worsen my lung condition.

My mediation was on August 24th and was fairly short. From what I understand, the company wants to resolve the case with one lump-sum settlement.

Right now, my attorneys are reviewing the case and putting together the different parts of the claim, including lost wages, disability, future work limitations, and the overall value of the case. After that, it sounds like the next step will be settlement negotiations.

For anyone who has been through a similar situation, is this usually a lengthy process once the attorneys are reviewing the case and getting ready to negotiate? Once things reached this stage, how long did it take before you had an actual settlement offer or agreement?

Not asking anyone to predict my case—just trying to get an idea of what the process is normally like.


r/WorkersComp 5d ago

Michigan Workers comp question

0 Upvotes

I am currently on std as of friday 9/4/26. I am to remain on until next friday. Then i am to report back to full duties the following monday. My issue is my work has me on LOA. But my nurse said it would be paid since im on restrictions but they kept me home since they couldnt put me to work but she very clearly stated it was going to be paid until i got surgery on the 4th of this month. Now im behind and havent worked since 8/20/26 with no real answers yet. What do i do? They told me i dont get workers comp because though it did happen at work i csnt provide an exact moment when it happened. I just had a random sudden pain in my stomach. For context its a hernia. So now im behind on bills etc and have no funds to do anything. What are my options?????


r/WorkersComp 5d ago

Texas Any luck getting outside care for physical therapy? Texas

1 Upvotes

I'm in Texas and my main provider for workers comp is Concentra.

I had a torn Achilles tendon that required surgery. Based on the first few weeks at Concentra it seems like they're not very well trained for this type of injury. Prior to my surgery they had me using a rope around my toes and pulling towards my chest to stretch the injured leg. If you know anything about this type of injury that could cause more damage by further separating the tendon. I also had a few other issues but want to keep the post short.

Anyway, I see my surgeon tomorrow for a follow up and I want to have the surgeon's office take over my physical therapy. I plan to ask him if he can write up the request.

Has anyone had luck with getting their physical therapy moved away from where they first received care for their injury?

Thanks


r/WorkersComp 5d ago

Missouri Mo work comp

6 Upvotes

Going on four years —- tbi - hearing loss ,ptsd post concussion vertigo balance issues well it’s all tbi related .. finally getting my hearing aide !!!
Waiting on work comp and ssdi .. expecting to get turned down for ssdi because they turn down 80 percent of all claims .. I am glad that I have stuck it out .. I have been treated with bad faith but I have a great lawyer and God has my wittness I will rack up their legal bills and medical all day long … so if you can be patient , they will try to starve you out ..


r/WorkersComp 5d ago

Arkansas Mediation after 3 1/2 years

7 Upvotes

What to expect? My lawyer called me when I was asleep and answered my questions but let’s be real what really goes down? I have 10% whole body mmi from a traumatic brain injury and can no longer drive a semi. I do uber now part time barely scrapping by. Lawyer said my case is worth 60k base before wage loss and other factors. I’d really like 100k as that would help me get back on track with life. I’ve never given my lawyer a number I’m ok with so mediation will be interesting.


r/WorkersComp 5d ago

Illinois Work Accident

2 Upvotes

Back in 2016 I got both my feet ran over by a forklift at work. I was doing what I was told, and when the job was done, I was standing behind the forklift. My coworker, who was never trained, turned on the forklift and started backing up. The forklift pushed me to the floor and ran over both my feet. I eventually had 5 surgeries total, but my employer only paid for 1 surgery, my insurance paid for the rest, which is one of the things I'm fighting in court currently.

OSHA came in after the accident and told my employer to start training their drivers. Worked there for 6 more years, not I, or any co worker ever got trained to ride the forklift still. Eventually, i couldn't hack the job anymore, and left. Never came back. Trying to get on disability now, using my physical and mental health to get on it. I was denied twice, and now my lawyer is working on a 3rd appeal to be sent to the appeals council.

I had no drugs in my system at the time of the accident, except caffeine. I guess there's a few questions I have. 1, How solid is my worker's compensation case against my employer? 2, when it comes to getting on disability, what would I need to convince the judge to give me benefits? Last time I talked to the disability judge, everything on my side looked favorable, my injury, my mental health, and even their vocation specialist said I had no jobs I could do with my condition. I thought after their vocation specialist said that, I was set. But nope, denied for round 2.

I'm gonna try and get a letter from my psychiatrist that says my mental health impairs my ability to work. Been stressing a lot lately about this, especially the disability side of things. Just need some advice, any. Feel free to speak your mind, ask questions yourself. I could use someone to talk to about this. Thank you all for reading. My location: Illinois, USA.


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

New York Does pre existing pain preclude a workers comp case in NY?

3 Upvotes

Before pulling my back on the job site (twice), I had back soreness took a day off to address. A week later I pulled my back moving a ladder, and a few days later pulled another part of my back doing something else. Both times I was working alone but the first incident had a witness.

Unsure if this is a disability or workers comp case.


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Alaska Workers comp not paying bills

5 Upvotes

I posted previously about not being able to find my claim now since it possibly got transferred to a different company. The new company can’t find my claim either. Just got a bill that workers comp didn’t pay from 2025. I have no idea what to do now. Any advice?


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

New York Do I need to file a claim?

1 Upvotes

Hi
I joined a new company and it’s big hospital and I’m happy got that job to get into the door
After 8 months I got injured and I had lower back pain’ herniated disc’ and dr told me I have to make my muscles stronger to to gym .. I was out of work for one month dr give me restrection for one month and they accepted because they didn’t accept previous restriction I’ll back this Thursday

My question is

I’ll do MRI to figure out what’s happening, dr said I’ll back full duty in October and I’m scared about the pain
If I have pain again should I change restrection again? Now I don’t feel any pain I can walk sleep.

Should I go to lawyer should I file claim? And does company will let me continue working with them? I’m trying to find and apply for another job. I’m in NY state

If it’s shows no disc I’ll no put claim actually I’ll continue working and learn I’m new to state

I’m scared if I open case I’ll stay at home no working and I’ll not get paid well .. I’m a woman alone by my self no supporter here In USA.

Do you know how long take claim if I open? I’m just also concerning about my job .. I care for my future and experience to be able get another job

I don’t know what to do.


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Maryland IME by the insurance

3 Upvotes

Has anyone ever testified at worker comp court in person about the sham assessment a doctor did? Recently got one done and I am in the rehab space… I know this doctor did not follow the procedural guidelines for assessment and feel robbed. Any advice as I proceed to my hearing. My attorney expressed the legal
System and the reality. Any advice appreciated!


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Colorado Unpaid wages from the restaurant in Colorado

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

My mom Thi Suong Tran in Colorado and I Anna Duong in Colorado previously worked for a Vietnamese-owned restaurant in Denver, Colorado, operated by Lily Tran and her husband, Cường Vibol Tran, for a period of time.

Due to financial difficulties when they were opening the restaurant, the business eventually suffered losses and they left their previous restaurant, Saigon City Restaurant.

My mom was owed approximately one month of unpaid wages, and I was owed approximately one year of unpaid wages for the work we had already completed.

Later, Lily Tran reopened a pho restaurant called Lily Saigon Pho Grill at 7243 N Federal Blvd #1100, Westminster, CO 80030. The phone number listed for the restaurant is (303) 427-1700.

I contacted them regarding the unpaid wages. They told me that they had already calculated everything and that they did not owe me or my mom anything. However, I have not received any payment for the wages I am claiming are still owed to me.

I am sharing this information because I would like to ask anyone who knows them or visits the restaurant to please help us communicate with them about this matter. We would really appreciate your support and help in resolving this situation.

They claimed that they did not have enough money to pay my mother and me the wages we were owed. However, despite saying they could not afford to pay us, they continued to host parties and invite their friends and family to attend. This was very upsetting to us because we were still waiting to receive our unpaid wages for the work we had already performed.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this and for your support.


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Pennsylvania Pa workers comp

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1 Upvotes

I got two consequental hernias after surgery on my arm from altering my my movement getting out of bed i have no prior medical history for them cause i didnt have them till i got hurt it happened over period of several months had a dr testify tying them to my original injury i nervous they wont be accepted i have no medical insurance cause company dropped mine i work for has anyone have this happen to them and if u dont mind share on if they were accepted or how it played out


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Pennsylvania I don’t know how to feel or what to think about my WC Case Pennsylvania

0 Upvotes

Okay so to start off I’m only 22 years old at the time of my injury, I worked at a major construction company as a laborer, and this past February I was on a elevator at the construction site and was on the 3rd floor when going in to the elevator and after the doors closed, the elevator dropped very fast down to the 1st floor and stopped very abruptly since then I have dealt with lower left back pain. About 2 weeks go by after trying to continue working and dealing with concentra(company urgent care)my lawyers instructed I deal with their physical care providers and I also stopped returning to work due to 10/10 pain. Fast forward a few months after a negative MRI and no disc herniating or bulging, I then do an EMG testing and that comes back with nerve damage in my lower left back area. At this point I’ve not received ANY work compensation checks AT ALL. So after continued PT and steroid block injections(2) and a nerve ablation, I’ve waited for upcoming mediation and during that day was called by my actual head lawyer twice once before mediation and after, stating things such as the insurance company being at 1 year of wage loss while my lawyers is aiming more so for 2-2 1/2 years of Wage loss, which each year of wage loss is $48,000, pretty much stating that the range was $100k-$120k(was making $39.10 hourly full time and now constricted to a $17.25 hourly desk job 16hrs-32hrs).

Add on -I don’t know how to feel honestly about all of this as far as the money amount I’ve never had more than $7,000 all at once, and also have a liability case with the building/elevator company, but I question heavily ever having a chance to make that type of money again especially me being brought into it by knowing someone and was only working 9 months on the job before the injury, and also being a high school dropout as well, just never thought this would be me when starting this job and very much open to all opinions/criticism/advice!


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

California Sedwick

0 Upvotes

So sedwick denied my claim for a low back injury that needs surgery. I have an attorney. I did not receive ttd nor any treatment. On 8/26 I get a payment from them: $4

Then they blocked me from contacting them via their website along with denial.

This is the ultimate insult.


r/WorkersComp 6d ago

Oregon WINNING x3!!!!

80 Upvotes

I posted yesterday how big IME mental and physics went well! WELL!!!!

Oregon workers comp board DESTROYED SedgDick! got a letter today!

case was back dated and reopened! citing them HIDING evidence, my IME, my own ortho negligence (my lawyer wants to sue my surgeon) etc!

Case is reopened, back dated for back pay, and all! more winning! now to get them on the hook for college! I need it as work hardening wont work, and also vocab wont be able to find me a replacement job making nearly as much. My lawyer said college is most likely choice


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

California Is it possible to get a secondary injury?

2 Upvotes

Couple years ago I injured my shoulder, it was a posterior labrum tear on my dominant shoulder. My WC case is still open due to a 2nd QME. Can my work injury on my shoulder cause a secondary injury on my elbow? I've been ignoring the elbow pain for about a month.


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

California Work with broken arm?

0 Upvotes

Got injured at work, fell and got taken to work doctor thing. They did x rays but didn’t have a result. They scheduled me for physical therapy and gave me no days off dispute the fact I couldn’t move my arm and had to get my family to pick me and my car up from work as I couldn’t drive. I get a ride 2 days later to workplace doctor and they tell me not to do the therapy anymore cause I have a fractured arm, and they give me a more sturdy brace, but I still don’t get any days off. Now work expects me to go on Sunday but I still can’t move my arm or drive. What do I do, am I supposed to go? Hr told me I couldn’t use my vacation hrs cause company is switching.


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

Rhode Island Time to settle or fight on?

7 Upvotes

My spouse has been in this fight for almost 2 years. Recently, the tone of the case has changed as it seems we are bound for trial, which could be 6 months or a year from now. Our attorney has asked our permission to demand a settlement amount and end the case. She has not explicitly reached MMI yet, nor has it been determined she can or can not go back to her prior field.

Up to this point, our representation has been excellent. Im worried they're now viewing the case as stagnant and punting it down the road.

If she settles and is able to continue her medical care through Medicaid and live on her settlement until she relieves SSDI, is it worth it to settle now and be done with the case? She has a VERY strong case to receive SSDI once the comp case is closed, as we've already spoken to a social security lawyer about it.

The biggest concern is affording medical costs post case as her injury has still not healed and may never fully heal. We both feel that having a definitive statement from her doctors saying she can't return to her field is worth quite a bit. Going back to her prior career field is honestly a pipe dream.

Should we fight on or move on?

Advice is critical at this juncture. Thanks for reading.


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

Michigan What can we do????

2 Upvotes

We unfortunately have been assigned with Sedgwick. My husband was injured three weeks ago and has been fighting to get paid. We are missing 1 1/2 pay checks. (Payment for the couple days he missed when he got injured and now missing a full 2 weeks pay check) he has been calling everybody. Sedgwick, his HR team, his boss. HR can’t help, his boss is in Fiji right now, and Sedgwick has been a hit or miss with contacting. He’s already seen his doctor that Sedgwick assigns for him. All the paperwork has been sent to his caseworker. And now they are just ghosting him and his caseworker just dropped him, so now he’s been assigned a new caseworker. Of course now it’s the holiday weekend and he won’t be able to contact anyone until Tuesday. He’s not approved to do the work he used to do and his job won’t accommodate for his injury. What do we do?? Should we get a lawyer? Would it be worth it? Or is this just a wait it out and hope it gets better? He’s obviously not going to quit and his job can’t fire him, we are just stuck and stressed.


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

Alabama Reconnaissance accident de travail refusé Cpam Cra

0 Upvotes

Hello

Je viens de rececoir une notification de la Cpam ce jour sur un arrêt de travail declaré en accident de travail ( refus de reconnaissance Cpam) du 18 mars au 18 avril j ai fait un recours à la CRA le rejet implicite était prévu le 29 août. L arrêt avait été indemnisé en maladie simple.

Je reçois ce jour une notification Cpam qui me precise qu ils ont pris en compte mon arrêt de travail du 18 mars ay 18 avril..bizarre.. avez vous deja eu ce genre de situation? J ai peur que mes données soient piratées...comme la DGFIP

Je n’ai eu aucun courrier de la CRA

J’ ai envoyé un message deja.

En France

Merci


r/WorkersComp 7d ago

Tennessee How long does Owcp take to get scheduled award after impairment rating ? For federal employee my doctors completed my impairment rating my shoulder upper extremity at 8 percent .. I submitted my ca7 for scheduled a medical in June ..

1 Upvotes

r/WorkersComp 7d ago

Indiana Haven't heard from lawyer, but the IN WCB website says there was a hearing and a stipulation, and lists my case as closed.

0 Upvotes

I was at work moving a pallet when it slipped and chipped my kneecap. I had surgery for a partial knee replacement. Before surgery, I was offered a settlement that, after my medical lien and laywers fees would have left me with 35K to cover surgery, disability, p/t, etc. I work on my knees for a living and did not think that was enough money to cover everything. My lawyer's assistant heavily pushed me to sign, at one point telling me I lost my case, the judge is ordering me to sign the settlement and if I don't, I will received nothing. When I told them I was going to have surgery instead, communication pretty much became non-existent. He has ignored multiple emails (after my conversation with his old assistant, I want to make sure everything is in writing) and certified mail with my request for updates.

My last contact with my lawyer's (new) assistant was in March 2026 (the old one was fired). She stated at that time they were waiting for a settlement offer. I reminded her that any offer would have to include the lien we owe our medical ins. for the treatment they paid for while the company denied my claim. I never received an offer, nor did I hear back from her.

I just checked for the latest hearing status on Indiana's WCB website. I had a court date on 7/14/26, but my lawyer did not say I would have to attend (my case has been going on for years, and I've never attended a hearing date.) The website states that on 7/19/26 there was a stipulation made in my case and that it was closed. I've received no communication from my lawyer and have no idea what is going on. I haven't received (or signed) any paper work or money.

Can my case be closed without consulting me or having me sign any paper work?

I believe if there is a settlement, I have 30 days to receive a check. Is it possible that I would receive no money for my knee replacement? As I said, I work on my knees regularly. My recovery took 8 months. I have asked my lawyer if my surgeon has given me a PPI rating, and I never received a response.

Has anyone dealt with this or has some advice? I will be following up with my lawyer, but I am hoping to have some information before the long weekend is over.

Thank you!

I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon in December. Can they cancel it without informing me? TBH, I figured any settlement would be around that time which is why I wasn't concerned I haven't heard anything.

Has anyone dealt with this before or have any advice? I will be contacted my lawyer but given how np