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Avatar universal

MRI...no one to explain it

I am a nurse, I got hurt at work. My employer does not provide workmans comp. They refuse to help me. I was able to get an MRI from a private MRI company. I have the films on CD, I got the report sent to my private GP who wants me to see a specialist. I have been unable to find an MD that will see me because this is a work related injury, I can not even get an appointment until "things are cleared up between my employer and myself". I refuse to lie and it seems that's the only way I am going to get an appointment. I have scanned my report to my computer so can send it.. If you can help me... please, please let me know. I am taking Norco, Piroxicam and xanax at night, I am only getting a few hours of sleep at a time due to the pain. It's worse than anything I have ever felt.
Here's a few lines from the report..
L4-L5 where there is a moderate to large disc herniation within the extreme right lateral recess and neural foramen resulting in severe stenosis of the right L4-L5 neural foramen and compression of the exiting right L4 nerve root. It goes on with works like circumferential disc bulge, disc protrustion, disc extrustion, indent in thecal sac anteriorly asymmetric narrowing of the right lateral recess, stenosis of neural foramen. L5-S1 central disc protrustion indenting thecal sac. moderate sized focal disc protrusion or extrusion indenting thecal sac. L3 nerve root... L2-L3 disc bulge... it goes on and on..
If you can help, please help me. I have dedicated my life to helping others and now that I need help I can't get any. I have looked all this up on the net but have not seen anything that makes sense when it's all put together.  I am not sure how much longer I can take this pain... it's overwhelming and I have 2 children to that are depending on me. I will send you or anyone everything I have online, including the cd if someone can tell me how. If you can or are willing to help, please contact me, even if you can't PLEASE let me know so I can think of something else to do.                                
Thank You for your time in reading this..
Any and all information I get thru anyone reading this WILL NOT be used by me for ANY reason other than my personal need to know what the hell is going on.
34 Responses
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Avatar universal
Yeah if she could get a shot of that stuff I truly believe she would get some relief. I could not believe what it has done for me in the past.
I forgot all about that stuff and how good it works.
That is actually a good suggestion. I know I have recommended it to people in the past.
Chadry
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968560 tn?1307451498
I''ve heard a lot of people dont get relief from the oral Toradol and it really reeks havoc with your stomach. They make liquid Toradol. It comes in 1ml (1cc) ampules and has 30mg per ml.and is available by prescription. Is comes with the syringes and needles in a package of 6. Might be an option.Just seeing if there is something that will give her a break from the norco and the steriods for a little while. mike
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Avatar universal
I have gone to the ER a few times for my back pain. I was given toradol. I went in there unable to barely walk and 30 minutes later walked out without a limp. I went a few times just to get the shot when it got real bad. I was given a prescription for it but before I got it filled I was telling another doctor about it and he told to rip it up. He said unless you are getting it by injection do not take it. It will rip your stomach up. It is great as an injection but i heard horrible if taken by mouth.
It worked wonders for me when I got it and no side effects. I was able to drive myself home.
Hope you are doing a little better Sheri.
Chadry
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968560 tn?1307451498
Damn, there was something else I wanted to share with you. There is a medication for pain called Toradol. Normally they give it 30mg IM in the ER or Dr's office then they give you a script for 10mg tabs to take at home. mg. to mg. is approx the same analgesic effect as 10mg morphine except its not addictive. I mean not at all! Not a controlled drug even. The problem is you can only take it for 5 days. Its really hard in your stomach(ulcers and all that) But it might give you a break from the norco and the steroids. It comes  in a generic, maybe your family doc could help you out. Remember. I might not can always help, but I can be there to listen. yo bud
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968560 tn?1307451498
Sounds Good email me when ever you feel well enough to sit up and type,but if you dont feel good dont sweat it,I understand. I was reading what you posted about HHS saying you were a "per diem employee" All that means is that you travel in your work and incur expences that you wouldn't if you didnt travel. The IRS allows people who meet certain qualifications to be paid a certain % before taxes to cover meals,travel,lodging ect. Normally it's around 7%. So if you gross $1000 they will only tax you on $930. $70 bein the 7% per diem. But that don't have nothing to do with qualifing as a contractor. Truck drivers, flight attendants and any body else that meets the requirements can be paid "per diem". But if they have you classified as a contractor, one of the forms they are required to have you sign is a "self insured contractor form" What this states is:The employer must offer the same unemployment coverage(reguardless if they have 3rd party unemployment coverage or are self insured "opt out") to you that they have on their employees,secrataries, HR people ect. and the must offer it at the price they pay for the worker comp.ins. on  their employees. The premiums are dectucted from your check.This is a form that is kept in your file and it will be titled "self insured contractor." or something like that. You,must have signed that form when you started working there stating that you have your own worker comp insurance and so you didn't need the ins that they were offering or that you wanted them to deduct W/C premiums from your settlement check. Bottom line is everybody who works must have unemployment insurance,employee,contractor or whatever,its the law. If you didnt sign that form, either accepting their ins or signing refusing their insurance, cause you had your own,their in trouble unless they  say that you are in fact an employee and covered under their W/C ins. How are you feeling? I know your not going to run a marathon anytime soon but, try to take little snippits of sunshine when you are able. your bud, mike
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Avatar universal
Hey Mike, Having problems with my scanner.. damn it.. only had 2 or 3 pages left and it jammed, my neighbor that works on computers is coming over later. I got your message and your email.. I am going to finish scanning everything and email it all to you. Hopefully a few of the questions from your last post will be answered by the documents because half of it I don't understand, lol. Not sure about a contract, hopefully it's explained in part of the handbook I am scanning. I am scanning a few pay stubs also. I get paid 2 times a month. They do take out SS and Taxes... My pay is done by the client, so if I see a 'harder' client the pay goes up. I have been taking care of the same kid for quite a while and he's $20.00 an hour, so that's what I've been making. I use my own car and have to provide them with proof of insurance. There was a client about a year ago and I had to drive over a hour there and hour back so I raised hell and they paid me 150.00 every two weeks.. just added it to my check and then (thankfully) pulled me off the case. I am also going to copy and paste a few of your posts to the email I send the attorney with a few case laws I was able to find.. just incase it's something he didn't think about.  I didn't want to call one of those lawyers off TV. If someone were coming after me and I got a call from one of them I think I might lose some respect for the person coming after me.. "is that the best you can do?"  kinda what I would be thinking. lol. Talk to ya soon and via email sooner. Hugs to you.. Sheri
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968560 tn?1307451498
O.K. Let me know where your at G.F. Any updates? your bud M.
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968560 tn?1307451498
Sheri, what is this contract you signed? If its an independent contractor agreement? If it was that does not mean all is lost.  If you did sign an ICA. they still have to offer to deduct liability preimums and you can check OK or state that you will provide your own liability ins. That form is mandatory and must be kept on file.There are very specific provisions that ALL must be met for them to legally classify you as an IC. You said you recieve a W'2 oops IC's must file 1099" do they hold out ssi and fed w/h?oops an Ic must file quarterly tax returns. Do you drive your own car or do they furnish you a car.How is your pay calculated? hourly, weekly, per client visited? Sheri ALL these things,not just some of the must be met for you 2b classified as an IC. also what is the supervision situation? Most people just say screw it when home health says "your an IC and shows the the contract that they signed. I can say the earth is flat and sign a contract stating its true, but that dont make it true.You can imagine if all that was involved was signing a form to qualify you as an IC,Hell, no company would have any employees they would all be IC's. It sounds like you finally have an attorney who doesnt mind getting a little dirt under his fingernails.Most of those attorneys onTV want something cut and dried (quick bucks) and then get 25% of something that you probably would have gotten w/o a lawyer. Well,"dogone it" I wished you were better. Maybe the lawyer can expedite things. Hang Tuff. Mike
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Avatar universal
Regarding you last 3 posts... I could feel the fire coming from the screen of my laptop. I appreciate your time and concern. I also completely understand your confusion and questions as to why I'm being treated like ****, unfortunalty I have the same questions and am living this nightmare. To answer your questions, I am a per diem employee per HR and I get a W-2. I have had an MRI and Xray.. in 2002 when I was involved in a minor car accident. I was cut on the head and neck by some glass, nothing major and the MRI and Xrays were normal.. they did it just to be sure. I called the hospital they were done at and requested they send me the forms so that info can be sent to my GP. HR said I am a per diem employee, I get a W-2 at the end of the year. (not sure what all that means). My GP gave me injections this morning and refills on my meds.
The first attorney didn't ask me any of the questions you asked. He took one look at the paper I signed when I was hired and the wind left his sails.. it was pretty much over. The paper states 'we are a workers comp opt-out company and i agree with the terms'.. yada yada yada.. however it does mention there is a company insurance company that handles incidents and injuries.. (when I contacted the company listed.. they no longer have insurance with them) He has copies of it all and I have not heard back from him yet. When I got home from the doc this morning there were 2 messages on my machine. One attorney saying they could not help me due to the fact that there was no faulty equipment involved??? The second one was more promising and I just called him back. He wants more of the handbook scanned and emailed to him. I'm in the process of doing it now. When I called him back he stated he feels I have a case. He also said that he was down with a herniated disc a few years ago and was in bed for weeks. He added that his MRI next to mine is a walk in the park and doesn't understand how I am functioning. He ALSO asked the same questions you asked in the last 2 posts. He said that they would first take care of my injuries.. send me to their Ortho doc, the same doc that did his surgery. Then he would sue if the company is unwilling to settle. He also said he had the doc look at my report and I will need surgery and may have to possibly file for short or long term disability. He would take care of that as well. He said I should not have residents of a learning hospital chopping on my spine.. I agreed. I have 2 or 3 more attorneys I am waiting to hear back from as well in case this one (Jesus, don't let it happen) but just in case this one folds on me. I told him I just want to go back to work, he can keep whatever he wants if he can get me up and able to work. I have to work. I have 2 kids that will be going to college and if I have to work 3 jobs to give them the oppurtunity I didn't have... I will. My 14 year old is already in college prep classes and my 13 year old is in gifted and talented classes and will be in college prep classes next year. Mike, you are asking me the same questions that this high profile attorney is asking me and I would like nothing more than to be able to get all this stuff I am scanning to you as well. I would love to have any and all input you might have. If you message me and give me a way to contact you via email or a site that I can (in private) attach and send to you.. please let me. I am feeling a little woozy from the injections now and have to drive to the school and get the girls from volleyball practice in the next 20 minutes. I am going to finish scanning this when I get home. I am going to go splash some cold water on my face and drink as much water as I possibly can in the next 10 minutes. By the way, when I went to my GP this morning... I have lost 14 pound in the last 11 days! My inability to eat and or hold any and all food down is showing in more way than just one. The secretary as well as the pharmacist commented on it today. Both said "you don't look well" followed by "are you ok?" how scary. I looked at myself in the mirror when I got home and sure enough I am as white as a sheet and the bones in my face are visible. Add big black circles and puffy eyes to that.. Lord, how much longer can I really last? I didn't weigh too much before this started and then to be dropping the weight at this rate is scary as hell. I really didn't notice too much because I quit wearing makeup a few weeks ago, I just don't have the energy or the desire.. I have also been wearing pj pants and tshirts everywhere i go. I did put on my jeans this morning to go to the doc and they are hanging off me. I can't help but wonder if the amount of steroids and pain meds may be taking it toll on my liver and other organs. When I brushed my hair which is down to my butt in length, quite a bit came out in the hairbrush. Maybe nerves/depression might have something to do with all this as well. I know I don't feel like "Sheri".. I am going to just keep the faith that this attorney is going to help.. Talk to you soon.. thank you again and don't say (per your last post)   "One more thing (i promise)"... any and all help and concern is appreciated more than you know....  sheri
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968560 tn?1307451498
One more thing (i promise) I know you feel bad. When you file your taxes, does home health send you a W-2 and you file a 1040 or 1040ez or do you file a 1099? Also have you ever been treated for back problems? If you have were you X-rayed or had an MRI done. Thinking about you,Mike.
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968560 tn?1307451498
Sheri, are they saying that you are an independant contractor and not an employee of the company. Your situation really has me "scratching my head" Plz keep posting,Im really curious as to how this all works out for you.
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968560 tn?1307451498
Sorry, but I dont get it. Your hurt at work,you have documentation. Your employer wont help with the medical bills. You call a lawyer and they say you dont have a case. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Is your employer saying that this didn't happen at work or there's that there's nothing wrong with your back or what? There is something they're not telling you. I've been hurt on the job and I know several other people who have also been hurt at work,not as bad as you did, but still. Some of them had to get an attorney others didn't, but they all at the very least,got their medical bills paid. My brother in law I told you about got hurt while working on the R.R. they are self insured (opted out) and dealing with them is like dealing with the government. At first they denied any liability. He got an attorney and 'a year and a half later he got  all his bills paid,all his back pay and a 6 digit cash settlement. My advise is to just keep calling attorneys until you find one who will take your case. Sorry your having such a hard time.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for posting... your post brought tears to my eyes, my lips still quivering. This all seems so unjust. I don't understand how this can really be happening. I keep hoping I am going to wake up and this will all be a dream. Speaking of dreams, mine have now turned into night terrors. I was told it's the steroids. I get at best 3 hours at a time. I'm lucky to get 5 hours a night and it's broken sleep with horrible nightmares. Often the dreams consist of car wrecks with my legs trapped in the wreckage.. I wake up to muscle spasms and pain. I even dreamed of being in a hurricane, I was underwater up to my neck and my legs were stuck in mud with the water rising. There were alligators and fish biting at my legs and I couldn't move.. again woke with horrible pain and crying. I would never leave my kids alone, I'm the only person in the world they have and they depend on me 100% ... I read in the houston chonicle about a man that shot himself, the family explained he has been suffering from a back condition. How scary is it that I can actually relate to this? Again, I would never hurt myself but the fact that I can relate to someone blowing their head off... just scary. I am headed to my GP this morning. I hope to be hearing from at least one of the many attorneys I have contacted. If not, again, utmb is going to be my last hope. Thanks to all who are keeping up with me. I wish I could post the name of my employer, not sure if it would come back on me so I won't. Eventually they will be exposed, I did find a OSHA rule they are breaking, they have 3 more days to comply to it. I'm sure they are unaware or just don't care that they are breaking this law. I will hold my breath for 3 days... the law holds a $25,000 a day fine.. I will wait at least 4 or 5 days before reporting it. At least I will have some satisfaction in knowing they will suffer at least a little,,, nothing like what I'm going thru but it will put a smile on my face if even for a minute. I have never been the type of person that seeks revenge or smiles at someone elses misfortunes but it seems my personality is changing... it scares me to be quite honest. I have been reading alot online. Studying case laws in Texas and contacting those attorneys that won those cases. It's busy work... keeps my mind busy and not focused on the pain and muscle spasms. I sit here in my living room and see how horrible my house looks, how many things need to be done.. cleaning, laundry.. it kills my soul to not be able to get up and do it but I know if I do I will pay for it the next day. My children, God bless them have taken on the role of my caregiver. It's unfair and I pray it does not turn to resentment. Ok, I have to stop now.. I believe posting here is a form of therapy for me but when it comes to talking about my kids... I can't.. I just can't do it. It's too painful. Posting about my condition and what's going on does help and it's wonderful having all of you care and send me messages, it lifts my spirits and I am able to get many thoughts and feelings out when I respond so THANK YOU.. & THANK YOU AGAIN. I will be here.. not going anywhere anytime soon and if I do get help..in any way shape or form you guys will be the first to know.  God bless all of you that care, even though I don't know you, you guys are the best friends I have right now.. thanks... I need friends, especially friends that understand.. Ok the tears are back... love you all. Sheri  
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Avatar universal
Hi Sheri,
I am at loss for words at what you are going through.I pray that things will turn around for you. I am very sorry you can not get the help you need. What the f kind of employer do you have? It is so hard to imagine that an employer has this much control over what happens to you after you get hurt doing y our job. I am totally disgusted with the system and the way they can treat you. My hope for you right now is that you will find a lawyer to take your case and that you sue the **** out of them.
Do what you have to do to see a doctor. I know that is a hard pill to swallow for someone who has worked so hard but at this point you have.
Did the doctor even explain why he wanted to admit you that day. The urinating thing is what is really worrying me.
I think I would have to call that work up and freak out on them. I would have to tell them that I am contacting as many lawyers as I can so I can pick which one I want to sue there pants off.
Take care Sheri. My thoughts are with you. Sorry I could not help you out any better. I thought Jersey was a bad state for W.C. We have one of the worse states around for W.C. but apparently Texas has us beat.
Chadry
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Avatar universal
Becky, thanks for posting.. Texas is the only state in the USA that is an Opt out state. Just my luck. I have contacted attorneys all day today and yesterday... so far no good. Indigency is not where I pictured myself at the age of 43 after working my *** off my entire life but my condition is getting worse, scary things happening to my body and I don't want to wait around until I lose complete control of things, literally. I feel as if I have lost my life in more than one way.
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Avatar universal
Sorry so long to get back... went to ER Monday and have been here on the couch ever since. SO DEPRESSED! I went in to the ER like the ortho assistant told me to, took my films (cd) and my report. Dr. looked at it and freaked.. said I needed to be admitted.. asap. He left the room and the registration guy came in. No insurance, no $$, no treatment. A new doc came in the room after registration guy was done with me. He said "not a life threatening emergency. Good bye"! Told me he could refer me for $300.00. I freaked out on him.. I first told him I was referred to HIM.. didn't need to re-refered, I needed help, as far as the $300... call my employer or if he wanted it from me... get in line. I then started getting LOUD.. really LOUD.. I was trying to get the first doctor that was so concerned about me and was ready to admit, he was no where to be found. The second doc was now getting ugly with me and I told him "I hope your wife explodes".. still not sure where it came from or what the hell it means. I called my dad back and then proceeded to crawl out of the ER.. on the floor and then into the parking lot. Sat in the middle of the parking lot crying my eyes out.. After sitting in the waiting room for hours on end and then what I had just been told.. I didn't care. I didn't have on any make up, wearing PJ pants and a tshirt and had a bag in my hand. (I took a few things just in case they helped me and I was going to be able to stay) So I am sure I looked not only homeless but crazy as well. Tuesday was crying all day, hurting, I was soo damn sore from Monday, sitting in those hard *** chairs in the ER. Yesterday I started leaving messages with attorneys and today was them calling me back, one showed up at my house. The one that showed up doesn't think I have a case except a possible breech of contract.. he made copies with my printer and took it with him to show his boss. Texas is the only state this can happen in.. everywhere else in the usa is bound by law to carry insurance or workers comp.. Hard to believe this is really happening to me..honestly. Hopefully I will hear back tomorrow. I am emailing everyone else my info, just got done scanning it all and now emailing it. If nothing happens by Monday, I am headed for UTMB as an indigent.. It's hard even typing the word 'Indigent'.. I have worked since the age of 16, supported my girls by myself for the last 12 years, worked my way thru nursing school, paid my bills on time, paid my house note every month, worked when I was sick as hell.. to end up an indigent. I don't even know what else to do, it's come down to this... If it were not for my dad, my bills would not have been met this month, when he came on Monday he put money in my account. I am grateful but ashamed at the same time. I don't like asking anyone for help and now I am mooching off my dad when he is going thru a rough time in his life, post Ike. Next I get to go beg for help from utmb.. I pray to God there are not still residents there but I am pretty sure there is, I don't want someone practicing on my spine but I guess beggers can't be choosers. ugh, this is horrible. Not sure if I have 'shared' this yet but I have started to lose sensation in parts of my body. You don't realize you can feel yourself urintate until you can't feel it anymore. It's coming and going.. Thankfully it has not progressed to the point where I don't know it's going to happen. How f-ing scary would that be! At 43 years old this should not be anything I should even know about!  Going to my GP in the morning for advice and fills on all my meds, another $250 day.. I am going to bed, this is more than I can even talk about anymore today. Thanks for posting.. wish me luck. Sheri
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Avatar universal
Hey sheri
All Employers MUST carry a Workmans Comp Insurance in order to have a business. You seriously need to look into calling the Workmans Comp in your area and find out who the carrier is for your employer, if you are unsuccessful in doing so, speak to an attorney.
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968560 tn?1307451498
YOU DOIN' O.K.?
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968560 tn?1307451498
I told you about my B-I-L's case. It drug on for almost a year. Now he's just like everybody else, mainly living paycheck to paycheck,but his case was "so cut and dried" that his attorney loaned him  money for bills and stuff and when he got his settlement he repaid him.By the way, his settlement was in the 6 figure range, he's tight lipped but he did tell me that much, and they paid all his medical bills. Can you say "THE TEXAS HANDLER" or "THE STRONG ARM". get a lawyer, get this taken care of and go chase the "perfect margarita" and they make some good ones down there where you live on the 3rd coast. post me anytime. M.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the messages and thanks for your support. Sometimes it's good to be reminded "I am strong and I am a person, a person that deserves to be treated with the respect and dignity" ... I took a pic of my girls today on my cell phone, set it as my wallpaper so if I feel defeated... I can just open my phone and see what life's all about and give me a push I might need.. Back to school shopping has always been something the girls and I look forward to, laughing, joking, trying on crazy clothes.. bonding.. This year...Horrible.... in a wheelchair, crying due to the shooting pain.. Not to mention the fact I have 14.00 left in the bank now. I never keep less than $400 tucked away in case of an emergency.. all funds are gone. I paid bills and balanced my checkbook and knew it wasn't going to be pretty but didn't expect it to be THIS bad. Everything... all the pain I have had to go thru since this (*WORK RELATED INCIDENT).... letting them down is the worst. My girls are going without.. that lights a fire under me..a big fire.  Mess with me all you want but don't mess with my kids.. I realized this has not only taken 'my life' but now it's taking away from their lives. They have been so much help.. cooking, cleaning, laundry.. all of it at 13 and 14 years old and I can't even repay them with what they want but what they have earned and deserve.. So thanks again for being here.. I may have given up.. it's crossed my mind a few times. I am ready to fight this ... fight for my life as well as their lives as well. They went to having a 'cool', spunky, keep up with them, surfing, playing on the beach, block party Mom to an indentation in the couch. I plan on doing everything in my power to getting back to "me" as well as "their mom".. tomorrow is the big day, scared? Yes... but more determined than ever.. Thanks again for your friendship and support.. I will come back here as soon as humanly possible and update .. I don't want to jinx myself but if there's an issue, I'll get one of the girls to post.. Thank you.. Sheri
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968560 tn?1307451498
It's me (again)lol. I just finsihed talking with my brother-in-law. He screwed-up his back in an accident working for the railroad. He said they treated him just like your employer is treating you (like an unwanted stepchild). Finally after going round and round with them for a few months,he got an attorney. He asked the lawyer why they were being such A-holes about all this since he had worked there for over 20 years. The lawyer told him that all companies are told to use these tactics,especially if the disability could be permanent because the settlements in these cases can be in the $100'000 range. Im sure that's what,s happening in your case. BTY he was found totally disabled and is now living in Fl. NICE BOAT TOO. Remember if you survived IKE you can whip these guys.
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968560 tn?1307451498
Yea, their just jerking you around. What they are hoping is that you will just go away! When you recieve medical attention ,send them the bill (keep Copies) document  everything and if push comes to shove, take everything to attorney.Although I think they will do just like they did with the MRI and pay the bills (they cant be so stupid as to think that they are gonna get away with this. Im sure what is happening is that their legal council has said to deny A-N-Y liability. Like I said, the first time they refused payment for treatment, I would be at an attorneys office ASAP. You are in bad enough shape without having to fight with them everytime you need medical attention. You are also entiteled to pay compensasion while your off. I know it's B/S having to jump thru hoops like this, but if you feel too bad to see a lawyer, some of them will come to your house for an initial consultation. Try to stay strong. yo bud M.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for the sites.. I will go to them as soon as I am finished with this post. Yes, they did opt-out of workers comp... it clearly states in the employee handbook that they HAVE insurance that covers employee injuries, they are now claiming they no longer have it. This is a home heatlh agency that has 2 departments.. the one I work for which is Pediatrics... 80% of the children have terminal illnesses. There is NO WAY the company can operate without insurance. The other dept is Geriatrics, these are people at the end of the life cycle... again, NO WAY this company is not going to cover their ***. If and when these patients do pass away, families react differently. Some families want to blame anyone or everyone.. the first one to point a finger at is the bedside nurse that is in their homes! This is why most or all nurses carry insurance on their own, I am covered myself. If I were to be caught in the middle of a law suit between a client and the company my insurance will step in and provide me with council. Too bad they won't help me with this,,, but that's not the way it works. It only steps in if I am sued. I've never had to use it but it's there. So if I have it.. NO WAY a company with hundreds of clients and dozens of nurses don't have a policy. I am sure they can't even run a business without insurance... again, it's in the handbook, the HR witch admitted to me on the 4th of August they are "covered to the max"... Anyway, thanks again for the info.. I have some reading to do! To answer your questions..  This hospital is set up with clinic within the hospital. It's UTMB. The majority of UTMB is still shut down and it's a huge mess. UTMB was flooded by Ike and they haven't opened it since. They opened the trama unit last week FINALLY. If we had a drowning in Galveston, they had to use life flight and get the person to Houston. Same with shootings, stabbings.. which you know happen in Galveston quite often. So, no.. I was not seen at the hospital that day. I did call my job within 10 minutes of the incident. I called them when I was laid out flat on the exam table in the room where the client was being seen. I was forced to finish the day since we were at the doctors office when it happened. I used his wheelchair to get myself to the car. I rode with mom and the client to the doctors office. So I rode back to their home where my car was after the appointment. I went in the house, got my stuff and left. I was at my doctor the next morning. He would NOT release me to work.. he put a note to my job on a script.. "Sheri can not return to work until she is seen by a specialist" That's when the **** hit the fan. When i went to the office to hand deliver the note from him I filled out the incident report.. Still, my employer refused to send me to a specialist.. all the ones I called refused to see me because it was "work related incident". at this point i would have paid for it myself.. so much pain! Thats when I called my job back and told them "you HAVE to help me" that's when the hour and a half meeting took place, (mind you I had been on my back for 2 days at home by now). I called my GP from the meeting and he agreed to write the script for the MRI..after I read the employee handbook to them and stood my ground.. they cut a check to the MRI company  The results were sent to my GP the next day, I went in and he told me I had to get an ortho doc to read it and look at the films. My job refused to send me to anyone that could read the damn thing. So that's when I started my quest for answers on the internet. I have STILL not seen a doctor to read the report and look at the films! I was ready to pay for it myself because as soon as the lady at the MRI place finished the MRI.. she looked me in the eye and said "I don't know how you walked in here".. There is not ONE ortho doc that would see me due to "work related injury"... I was blessed enough to get in touch with one of the best ortho docs in Houston. He is booked until Sept and it's $250.00 to walk in his office. His assistant is the one that let me read the MRI report to her.. she talked to him.. she called me back and said that I needed to get to the ER because I could end up in a wheelchair if I moved wrong. She said I needed emergency surgery.  I have the arrangements set up for tomorrow morning. My dad is on his way... He'll be here early in the morning to drive and drop me off at the ER in Houston, I will have the report and CD of my films with me. Once at the ER and hopefully admitted, (I pray things go the way the assistant told me they will) I am going to contact an attorney. Since I still have not had a qualified person even see the report and films I think it may be premature to contact one now, plus it's the weekend. No doubt I will have to wean off the narcotics.. it's a given. I am double the amount that is the highest dose recommended.  If I were not taking this many, I wouldn't be able to move. That's why I have been and will remain on my back. I don't want to hurt myself and not know it because it's masking some pain. It's unreal that it's not taking the pain away. it's taking the edge off but I still can't walk upright or without a limp. The pain starts mid back.. both butt cheeks, upper outer thighs, back of my knees, back of both calves and bottom of one foot. The only thing I hate about this entire situation is I won't have the option to get a second opinion... I have never had anything done without a second opinion.. it's not a wise thing to ever do... what choice do I have? If I am lucky, I will get the best of the best who does work at that hospital.. no residents are there so that's one good thing! Gotta get off here, my girls are screaming about soemthing.. hard to put out fires when you're flat on your back but I'm doing the best I can.. Thanks for the sites.. I will be headed there asap... sheri    
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968560 tn?1307451498
Morning Sheri, I found a couple of websites that you may want to look into. Texas Dept.of Insurance and Txcomp. both explain employer and employee rights and responsibilities under the law. There is also a section on companies opting out fo w/c, which, Im assuming that your employer did. But they are not off the hook. They must be self-insured with and post a large cash bond to cover employee accidents. Bottom line, if your company is working without a-n-y type of coverage, not only could you sue the pants off them,but, they could be held criminally liabel. Were you seen in the hospital at the time of the accident? Diid you finish the workday and did you report it to  a superior within 48 hrs?. If answers are y/n/y, call a lawyer they make things really simple and there's no fee if you dont get a settlement. Looks like we may get a little rain today. Hope your back is feeling better today. And as you know, be careful wuth the narcotics. the last thing you need when this is over is to have a drug habit to kick.
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