I injured my arm at work nearly 2 months ago. An MRI has shown that I have 2 torn muscles. I also have a hematoma, pain, and if I use my arm it swells up like a balloon. I finally went to see an orthopedist yesterday. He told me "it's just a bruise" and to go back to work on light duty, using my right arm as little as possible and no lifting over 10 lbs.He also said I should go for physical therapy 3x a week for the next 6 weeks. I told the doctor that there was no such thing as light duty at my job and that a former supervisor had been let go for being placed on light duty. The doctor said he'd done all he was going to do and that it would be up to my employer whether they'd let me work or not. I then went to my supervisor who told me that I couldn't come back to work on light duty because I don't meet the job description. She also said that I'll lose my worker's comp benefits because the ortho had released me. What can I do about this? Is it likely that I'll lose my job?
2006-09-19 03:36:09 · 3 answers · asked by Ribbons 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Nbr one....if your doctor's suggesting you need physical therapy, there's no way that he's actually "released you from his care". If he's still having you come in to check your arm, you're not released. If this doctor is through your place of work, most cases these doctors are pressured into treating and releasing too soon the patients from the companies that pay them. You DO have the right to request a second opinion as well if you're still having swelling from your arm. But your employer's wrong because if your doctor's suggesting phy therapy for the next 6 weeks, you've not been "released" at all so you cannot loose your worker's comp benefits....if you do, File an appeal and make them keep paying until you get the official release and your arm is better...... but do request second opinion...if you feel you're not getting adequate care they have to provide that.... PERIOD
2006-09-19 03:44:23 · answer #1 · answered by BevD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in the union, contact your union rep. ALSO WHY DID YOU GO TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DR.? Thats for bones & such, not muscles.Try going back to whoever ordered the MRI or to your family doctor. In most cases they have to find something for you to do if you were injured on the job. You could contact a workmans comp attorney, they usually do free consultations & they could give you more info. Just look in the yellow pages under attorneys & find one that mentions workmans comp in the ad.
GOOD LUCK!
2006-09-19 03:41:22 · answer #2 · answered by MANDEE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd get a second opinion
2006-09-19 03:40:48 · answer #3 · answered by Moon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋