Workers Comp Help
Back Injury In A Steel Mill Accident
I live in Pennsylvania and injured my back in a steel mill. The company did not argue and put me on workers comp immediately.
I have had three disc surgeries on my back. The first surgery left me feeling much better and when I returned to work at my old job, the company asked me to sign a form "just stating I was back to work at my old job and didn't need any more comp checks at the time". Little did I realize I had just signed my rights away. After a few years, the problem came back and I needed another operation. The company told me they wouldn't pay for it.
Well, my dad always taught me to keep good records, so I went back in my papers and found what I was looking for. The company had sent me to a chiropractor for a while, and on one appointment when the pain was quite intense, the chiropractor ordered me off work for a few days to rest. But, the company continued to punch my time card and pay me as if I was working the whole time. That's an illegal no-no.
When I informed the company I would take that information to court, they immediately relented and put me on comp, with a new injury date. After two more surgeries, there was nothing more the doctors could do. They told me I had permanent nerve damage and should go on Social Security Disability. I was successful in getting these benefits. I was off work for 8 - 1/2 years, suffering depression at not being able to work and also at being in constant pain.
Then I got a letter, telling me they had a job for me. They assured me they would honor all my restrictions. I had a physical done by the general practitioner who is the company doctor. This physical consisted of him asking me what medicine I was taking, where my pain was, and asking me to try to bend forward. That was the extent of the entire physical. I also spoke, in person, with the official who had sent me the letter. I told him I was excited at the possibility of being able to work and be productive again, but was concerned about making my pain worse.
He assured me that if my condition got any worse, they would release me from duty and put me back on comp. He lied. I gave an honest effort to do the job, but every day, every week that went by, the pain in my back and leg was getting worse. It is to the point where my wife helps me get out of bed, helps me get dressed, I go to work for as long as I can stand it (usually 2 to 3 hours) then I come home. I have to come home to take my rescue medicine as I can't drive while under its influence. They told me to get a doctor's excuse to remove me from work.
I went to the doctor at the pain clinic who had been treating me for six years. She had always be kind, caring and considerate. She even told me one time that she would go to court for me if she had to because it was to my advantage to be as active as I could. She said this so as to ease my mind about doing any type of yard work around the house and having pictures taken of me. The company even went so far as to take pictures of me at my camp in the mountains.
Anyway, I went back to see this doctor. The visit was straight out of a Twilight Zone episode. She did a complete turn on me. She told me as long as the company was honoring my restrictions, she couldn't write me off work. I said but my pain is getting worse and worse. She said, "If it hurts you that bad, quit. Just quit." She refused to help me. She got in my wife's face and called her pathetic when my wife told her she had to help me get my shoes and socks on from time to time.
When my wife told her to "get outta my face", the doctor went nuts! She started screaming for security to escort us out. She accused me of going to her every six months and begging for narcotics. This was not true. My wife and I both accused her of being "on the take" because you just don't turn like that after six years without some sort of outside intervention. But, nonetheless, I was out the door, with no excuse, and nowhere to turn.
This is where I am now. Aside from the time I am at work, I am at home, on medication, lying down. Evenings, weekends, and during the day after coming home from work. I had to take my daughter to start counseling because she only sees me when I am "doped up" and lying flat. She is afraid I am going to die. My poor wife has had to do so much more around the house, plus work a full time job. She is also suffering from depression.
As a matter of fact, all four of us, my two daughters, my wife, and myself are all on anti-depressants. There is no quality of life. I can't enjoy going anywhere or doing anything with my family because of the pain. Yet, come Monday morning, I am expected to be at work. There is something wrong with this picture, when a man gives an honest effort to do all he can, yet gets screwed over as a reward. It's not fair that my family has to suffer so much. Do what you will to me, but don't hurt my wife or kids.
The depression is back and it's getting worse. I have considered suicide, because the way I am now is not living. I don't know what to call it, but it certainly isn't living. But I rest assured knowing that whoever in the company, or Acordia Employer Services came up with the idea of "give him anything his doctor says he needs, plus convince the doctor that anyone can do this" is padding his wallet with a percentage of the money he is saving the company by having me there.
I feel better knowing that someone is gaining substantial amounts of money simply by screwing me and my family to the wall. I only wish I knew his name. And address.