Need to Vent!!!! Sorry it's long.

On November 1st I tripped at work and injured my shoulder and aggrevated my back, foot, and knee. I filled out an accident report that same day. I told the book keeper/nurse that I was going to see a doctor.

I saw my back doctor and he referred me to an orthro specialist who he said does Workman's comp for my county and school.

After I see the OS I find out I've torn my rotator cup and I need PT to strengthen it again.

Okay, so he wrote the perscription and sent me back to my present PT/back doctor.  I was to see him tomorrow to start back PT.

I talk to the PT nurse yesterday and they asked do you have a claim number?

Claim Number????? What's a claim number?

Well, we can't see you without a claim number.

I've never needed a claim number when I fell 10 yrs ago at work.

Okay, I rush around to contact the Insurance person with my job to ask for my claim number. She said, "This is the first I've ever heard of your accident". I want to say something ugly at the time, but I bit my tongue. I ask her what do I need to do. She asked me who did I see and what did he say. Then she found the form I sent in and said, "this is the wrong form". (more ugly thoughts!)

So today I filled in the correct form.   Found out my witness didn't actually see me fall, just saw me on the ground. She didn't tell me that day. Find new a witness.

The insurance lady calls me and tells me that I will probably have to go to a different OS, because the OS I went to wasn't on the approved list.

I now have to wait until the claim is processed to see a new doctor for my shoulder. Which by the way is getting better, but still weak and painful at times.

I can't even see my back doctor for my back issues because I hurt my back again when I fell and it's now tied to the fall! They said until I get my claim number, no PT with them. UGH!!!!!

To make matters worse I fell again today! This time it was totally my kultzy fault! I was sitting on the edge of a chair with wheels, lifting books out of a child's desk, and it suddenly flipped over on top of me! I landed on my left (arthritic) knee and left hand. The chair hit me in the back and back of my foot. So I'm in more pain!

I told myself I wasn't going to file that because it was my fault totally. I'm so kultzy!

Oh Joy,

You are having one seriously bad time. If you have an HR department in your job, please contact them regarding WC claims. I don't know much about them, but I understand they can be a real pain to deal with. Please know, however, that you can claim the mileage and get reimbursement for just about every mile driven. I have a friend who uses WC and she claims every pharmacy trip and doctor trip. The extra little check isn't too bad either.

I hope you feel better soon and that you can find someone to help you with this WC stuff. It's such a shame that there is so much paperwork just to get to see a Dr!

All my best!

Couchtater the laws on WC claims are different in every state. be sure to check with the insurance company on whether or not they will pay mileage. Back in my working days I worked for atty all of my working years and we handled comp & PI claims. In my state the only way they pay mileage is if you have to travel out of county to see a dr. A quick phone call to them will answer your question on that.

Take care and I hope your claim goes smoothly.

Okay, I'll ask the WC lady. She gave me her phone number to call if I have any questions.

Joy, just now thought of something I forgot to mention to you. If you plan to go to the same people for PT on the work related claim-be sure they make as separate chart on you for the work related injuries. Otherwise it could get a little messy.