[scarter]

Hi, I am new to this forum but have found reading old posts immensely helpful. I'm suffering from PCS but getting better slowly. I have my first IME scheduled in a few weeks and will have hopefully made a partial recovery by then. Many of you have been through this, and since I am pretty anxious about this, hearing other experiences/insights would be very helpful to me.


1) If the IME declares me fit to go back to work (which I likely will not be, but based on other people's accounts I expect that's what the IME will declare), what happens then? Do I need to go back to work the very next day? Can I call in sick, or take vacation days (I Have a lot of those saved up) while I continue to recover? Or will my employer point to the WC IME and say that I have been declared fit and must return? I have a challenging job (which I love), but being at partial recovery won't cut it.

2) What else should I expect from the IME? Should I ask my husband to accompany me, and him to videotape it? Any other recommendations? I've read some horror stories online.

3) The WC adjuster has been extremely unresponsive. She has ignored almost every one of my emails and calls, even my regular post-appointment updates (and also requests for travel and medical reimbursements for small $ amounts). I've done everything right with recovery and communication. I can't tell if she's terrible at her job, or if she's ignoring me hoping that I go away or give up. But I am steadfast. Any tips here?

4) I do not have an attorney but it sounds like it's a good thing to have, especially for after the IME assessment. Are there benefits to having one before the IME?


I would be so grateful for any insight and responses. Feel free to private message me instead of posting if you prefer. Thanks!

[Jomar]

If you have a complicated claim ( high dollar, hidden injury/pain, possible long term pain/symptoms/chronic, no witness to the injury happening. etc)
I would suggest searching out a good atty asap..

It is just easier as WC usually will deny/delay

[Skeezyks]

Hello scarter: I worked for several years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in my state's workers compensation system. So I know quite a bit about workers comp in my state. However, every state's workers comp system is different. (The more benefits are offered in any given state, the more complex the system is, in my experience.) So what I know may or may not be relevant to your situation.

I could write a lengthy response to each of the questions you've asked here. All of it, some of it, or none of it might end up being relevant to you. I must say, I worked with a lot of attorneys who represented injured workers & I'm not a fan. But, in order to get information regarding where you stand, consulting an attorney who represents injured workers in your state may be the best option for you. Beyond that, my suggestion is see what you get here in terms of replies to your post. And if you want to Personal Message me, here on NT, you're certainly welcome to do so. Good luck!

P.S. Welcome to NT!

[scarter]

Thank you very much for your responses, Jo*mar and Skeezyks!

Based on your responses, I should add a few important details:
1) My injury (concussion) has some components of hidden injury/pain, because as I start to recover I can do things in small, limited cases. So if people see me at the best hour of my day and assume I am like that all day, they not realize the extent of my injury (besides the hat, dark sunglasses, and ear plugs and headphones I need to block out things.) A ct scan or EEG doesn't show the symptoms. A DTI, fmri, or qEEAG would, but I doubt the WC would order an expensive test like that, and none of the treating doctors I've seen have talked about them (my mom read about them in an excellent book by Dr. Diane Stoler)
2) several people saw my accident
3) I don't expect any long-term costs beyond the few months of missed pay and handful of neurologist visits. Which is why I'm hesitant to get a lawyer involved. The reimbursements I am missing from WC is under 1k, not nothing, but probably not worth getting a lawyer for. Once I've recovered more, I feel confident enough bugging them myself for it.
4) So really, the main thing I am curious about is whether I should do anything before the IME to prepare for whatever may come after it.

Thanks again for your help. I've been wanting to ask these questions for several weeks - today was the first day where I felt well enough to post!

[Jomar]

New members aren't able to PM for a short time.

Perhaps share a bit more information, without any identifying details such as specific dates, names, locations, employers .. etc..

We also have a PCS/TBI forum that might be helpful for you in your recovery ...