Workers Comp Help
Shoulder Injured While Splicing Wires
I got hurt splicing wires and trying to bend a 600 pair cable in the other direction. My employer has been jerking my chain since I got hurt in November of 2000.
My Dr says that i have some form of fibromyalgia which i don't think i have based on everything I've read, I think I've got a thoracic outlet syndrome. My injury includes my whole right arm as well as shoulder, neck and back. I have been to countless hearings been diagnosed as having a permanent partial disability to my right arm.
I am right handed by the way. I can't use my hand, and arm for long periods of time or lift groceries wear certain kinds of bras, carry my pocketbook on my right shoulder. I cant type for long periods in a fixed position or drive for long periods without stopping to move around and even then the night is unbearable. I cant sleep on my left side because the arm goes numb from hanging done after about 20 minutes. I don't sleep well on my right side because i cant make the arm and shoulder comfortable under me, and sleeping on my stomach causes my back to lock up and impingement to my arm/shoulder = pain. My arm sometimes feels better on my stomach but i pay for it the next day. I also, cant stir mixes with my right arm. the list goes on and on.
I have been denied payment for physical therapy in the beginning. they still haven't paid the chiropractor, or my Dr. since 2000. The controverter the claim and lost, and i was supposed to be given an award in 2003 and have not gotten it yet. the comp office says that my case is finished with them and now i have to take Verizon to court to get the money owed to me when they decided not to pay me while i was out in 2001. they forced me to return to work against my dr's orders.
They said if i didn't return they wouldn't pay me and i would be charged with abandoning my job or something like that. they sent me to 3 of there drs and an IME, EMG, functional capacity exam, mri's, cat scan. When i questioned my dr on the diagnosis he said what difference does it make what name we give it you have pain and no use of your right arm. I do have use of my right arm but its limited. Right now i am fighting because the short term disability insurance said they can no longer can pay me because my dr's notes were insufficient. they have all the other notes and evaluations what more do they want. my check from their workers comp unit has stopped paying me also.
I haven't received anything since March 15th, 2004. I live with pain everyday some days better than others based on what I've done that day or the day before. I've been given 20 different meds all of which either did nothing or I had allergic reactions to, breaking out in hives, not being able to breathe, being on a narcotic trip after a dose of medicine I thought i was having a heart attack. Headaches so bad they literally stop me dead in my tracks til the pain fades just by moving my head or tilting it. I never know what might send my arm into spasms. the same thing today may not send my arm into spasms next week.
I've also been denied return to work if my dr writes any restrictions.