Workers Comp Help
Torn Tendons While Unloading Machinery
Well, here is my story so far. That's right, it is still not over with and probably will not be for some time. It all started December 2nd of 2002. I was unloading some old furnaces from the back of our company pick-up truck at the scrap yard. Keep in mind that these were commercial furnaces that were removed from some very large buildings and loaded on to the truck by 3 co-workers.
Now, here I am unloading everything by myself. Well, I got to the last furnace, and I was pushing with both arms and with my legs of course. The furnace then got stuck on the back of the tail-gate and I felt a sudden popping sensation in my left forearm, followed by an extreme burning sensation. I then turned around and worked to get the furnace off the back of the truck using my back and legs.
Once the furnace hit the ground, I knew something was really wrong with my arm. I contacted my employer and drove to the hospital. They took ex-rays, and advised that I needed to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon. Well, so far, you may be saying, "Well, he shouldn't have been unloading those furnaces by himself, and so far things don't sound that bad." That is where it starts getting good. I was told after the injury by my co-workers that it took all 3 of them to load the truck.
I followed up with an appt. to see an orthopedic surgeon. This guy looked and acted like he was on the best pain killers the country had to offer. He didn't listen to me whatsoever, and after examining my arm, he thought that I had a biceps tendon tear, and scheduled me for surgery on the following Monday. This was Thursday, and I hadn't even had an MRI done yet. He was leaving me 1 day to have an MRI done, along with lab work that is required with every surgery. I couldn't even get approval for the MRI that fast, let alone approval for surgery and lab work. So, from day one this guy already had me second guessing him.
I managed to get the MRI done on that Friday, and the results were negative for a biceps tendon tear. The doctor then put off surgery and told me to schedule pt for 3 weeks, 2 days a week. Not only is 2 days a week not enough, but I have not gotten any better. I just finished the pt, and had my follow up with Dr. Quack.
The first thing he said was, "How are you?" I replied, "The same as the first day I came in, less all the swelling." He replied, "Have you ever been through pt before?" I replied, "Yes, I have, I just got done 3 weeks of it, don't you remember sending me for 3 weeks, 2 days a week?" He replied, "You're arm appears to be hurting in different areas then when you first came in." I then got very angry and replied," Let's get something straight here, you scheduled me for surgery before you ever saw any MRI, and you have maintained all along that you feel I have a biceps tendon tear when I have demonstrated that I can do things that require just my bicep." He then replied, "Well, I think you need a cortisone shot, and more physical therapy." I replied," I am really not happy with your care thus far and I have already been granted a second opinion by the insurance company. If it is found that another surgeon feels I need a cortisone shot, then I will try it." He then walked out, and this entire conversation took no longer then 5 minutes. I left the room disgusted.
I have an appt. scheduled with another surgeon this week, and hopefully this time I will find out what is wrong, and get the pain to go away. That would be nice, considering I was just informed today that I am being let go by my employer! I know workman's comp does not guarantee you a job, but I didn't think you could be let go while still out on doctors leave. Does anyone know the true answer to that question, because my attorney has yet to clarify that with me? I refuse to give into this situation. I have busted my tail just like the next guy and gal, and it is so wrong that an employer let's you go while you try to recover from an injury you sustain from a job you are doing for them. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise! Thanks for reading, and good luck to everyone!