Thanks catra--Repetitive Trauma Injury. I was waiting for it to come to me...

WC is a PITA. But, that's kind of their goal. To scare off injured workers. RSD is a long term health concern. The OP would prefer to continue working, so let's assume resources (financial, medical insurance, subsidized jobs that allow for major work accommodations) from SS won't be an option to him anytime in the near future. He's already experiencing spread--which could continue. His medical deductibles could become outrageous. Finding new employment could get tricky...

If a doc or docs evaluate his case and determine it's not a work injury, then fine. But, if it is found to be a work injury, and it likely will, then he can always choose to settle out if he gets fed up with the system.

WC is inconvenient, but is dealing with any insurance company pleasant when you have a major illness? And if the main thing he's looking for from WC is to have his medical care taken care of and he continues working, it'll be less adversarial in all likelihood.

I'm not suggesting he be dishonest in any way. I'm just suggesting he needs to have a proper medical legal eval.

Just my two cents!