fair treatment for personal injury patients w/litigation

[Mysteria]

I think that there needs to be a discussion about patients not recieving fair medical treatment because they are involved in litigation brought about by personal injury. Not all personal injury patients are involved in litigation because they are looking for some easy monetary gain. Some of us have suffered many losses,( JOBS, HOMES, CARS, GOOD CREDIT RATINGS, RELATIONSHIP OR FAMILY ISSUES, DEPRESSION, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM) due to injuries that has kept us from being able to return to work. I think it is completely unfair for some doctors to treat their patients as pariahs once they learn the paitient is involved in litigation. I have a pelvic injury which occurred less than six months after getting married. My entire life is changed, I am not taking narcotic pain meds, I don't lay around and wallow in self pity, I do everything I can to keep going. I have had two rounds of physical therapy, many steroid injections that only helped a little. I walk, do exercises,eat healthy, and take care of my family, though I have some physical limits....I can't, vaccum, mop, sweep, dance, jump, hike, run or climb stairs very well. Yet with definate diagnosis for pelvic neurpathy,and SI joint injury, and chronic sacroilitis, I am left to fix myself because my doctor doesn't want to get any further involved. Not only have I suffered from being injured, but now my integrity is called into question because I am trying to recover through litigation what I have lost financially.....lost wages, medical bills and consideration for my future earnings.I believe that many people out there are going through the same problems that I am, and hope that there will be a good, healthy discussion on this topic.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Mysteria,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us. I am sorry to hear about your issues. I could have written your post some years ago.  

I too had a serious MVA and went through litigation. I was hit head on by a loaded dump truck. It was not my fault. My PCP of 7 years did me much more harm than good when I told him I was going through litigation. I trusted him and he attempted to destroy me. I don't know if this makes sense to you right now but you should be happy that your physican told you up front about his concerns. This will give you an opportunity to look for another. My PCP was not honest with me and seriously bad mouthed me behind my back. The things he said were totally untrue. Fortunately I had other physicians (specialist) that beleived in me and backed me. Mine is a long story that I will not bore you with but I have some pointers for you if you are interested you can send me a PM.

I know you are hurt and angry. It amazed me that because I entered into litigation some saw me as a money seeking fake. It didn't matter what I had lost, would lose or would endure for the remainder of my life through no fault of my own. I had similar injuries as you and many more. A physicians that is not concerned with being named in your litigation will treat you well. My PCP was concerned. So keep looking. There are PCP and specialist out there that will treat you.

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing. I will be very interested in your updates. Take care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hi Mysteria:

I totally agree with Sandee. You need to move on and find a Doctor who will put your personal life aside and treat your medical issues.

Not all Doctors are like the one you're seeing. There are many Doctors out there with compassion and who will treat you accordingly. I feel that you have gotten some really bad care and I'm sorry for this. You are your own advocate and need to be assertive when it comes to your health. I wish I had more advise for you. I'm confident that others will post as the time goes by. Sometimes it takes a while for people to post in the pain forum as most of us are chronic pain sufferers and not always available. Please take care and keep posting. This is a good topic for the pain forum.

Mollyrae

[sandee1818]

I am sorry your going through all this. it is true that finding a doctor who will treat you effectively while your in litigation but do not give up there are some really great doctors out there and you just have to keep looking until you find one. I know that is frustrating but that's the way it is unfortuantly.