Hello,
I was injuried at work over 2 months ago. I have been given the run around since then. WC accepted my claim but no time loss and are fighting part of my medical. I have to see a neurologist but have the right to see my own. I refuse to see the one they recommend as I have heard he sides with WC every time, and no one can go with me except a WC case manager. I do not agree with this at all. I have not worked for over 2 months now, with no income and no help. My spine Dr. report was incorrect also, Funny the WC case manager went to see the spine Dr. first and had a meeting with him prior to my visit. He was very cold and would not explain anything to me and was just quoting from the WC file he was provided.
I have had several MRI's been in the hospital for a week and still no actual help. The spine dr. did state I need a Neurologist for an IME. Stated I have an abutment up against my cord without signal changes. Also my Oswestry Disability Index score is high. No Dr. i have seen will talk to me the patient, even when I was in hospital. They just send there reports to WC. In his report he also stated I have Cervical Spondylosis C4-5 and worse at C5-6. Cervical foraminal stenosis primarily C5-6 as well as Central canal stenosis at C5-6. per my MRI have C4-5 and C5-6 disk bulge. was told in hospital have bulging disks in Lumbar as well. I can barley move my head. I have migraines and vision problems constantly along with shooting pain from my foot to head when I step. I shake alot and it gets worse as the day goes on.
So now I need a Neurologist so I can get help and get my life back. Any ideas??? I just want a caring Dr. that will explain things to me and get me the help that is needed.
PLEASE HELP!!!! I NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK OR GET TIME LOSS BEFORE WE LOSS EVERYTHING. I have a medical deposition on Monday.

Sounds like they play rough in Arizona. In most states you are allowed a witness to be with you during an exam, and that would not include an adversary from the state! I would also see if you could find an insurance ombudsman for Arizona, or an advocate for w/c in your state. It may be time for an attorney, I hate to say, as it does not sound like you have been dealt with very fairly.

I have been trying to access Arizona comp information on line with very little success. The laws of AZ are totally weird compared to the states for which I have handled claims. I see little about exams and claimant rights. The first thing I would do is find out if it is true that you can not have your own choice of witness accompany you to the exam of own second opinion! Originally this witness was to be sure that nothing resembling impropriety occurred during an exam. Furthermore, in every single state for which I have worked the patient has the right to more information than it seems you are getting.

This is what I did find:
Based on this I might file a motion for a protective order for observation by your own witness. And as for finding a neurologist, unfortunately you may have to rely on the yellow pages if your personal physician can not give you some names of good neurologists you would want to TREAT YOUR CONDITION. I always tried to choose a physician I would want to see for ongoing treatment if I had that injury, even when I was on the state/employer's payroll: I figured that a combination of karma and good practices should forbid anyone with a conscience from choosing one of the many IME docs known as "hired guns."

In addition, did your physician take you off work? If so, you should have received time loss benefits. If this is the case, you will likely need an attorney to secure those benefits, as apparently they are messing with you.

However, even with an allowed claim, not every condition which is causing you symptoms will necessarily be caused by your work injury, even if the symptoms are similar and they all occurred in the same time period. You could have many pre-existing conditions to the spine which would not be work related, with one that IS, making determinations difficult. Spine injuries are complex.

You do not say here how you injured yourself, and what exact injury is allowed. That might help. Also, I am confused if the "spine doctor" is yours or the state's. And finally, it sounds like you have had all sorts of diagnostic procedures performed, but no treatment or therapy . . . if this is true, you do have a beef with the AZ Industrial Insurance Commission. The basic reason for w/c laws was to insure that an injured worker actually received treatment at no expense for their injuries!

Unfortunately some states prefer to force all claimants to litigate for their basic benefits. It sounds like AZ might come close. . . .

Where in Arizona? Phoenix has many good docs at Barrows. There is also the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, not sure how the docs are there. Tucson has the U of A neurologists who are all good.

I am not from here but moved to AZ. Yes they play very rough and very unfair. I was hit in the face by a box while handing items to a co-worker while looking up. My head was back when it happened. I felt the pain all the way down my neck back and of course my face, and have eye problems that are getting worse and severe neck, back and leg pain (leg mainly when I step this started 2 weeks later and put me in the hospital for a week) my toes go numb and so do some of my fingers.


I did get an attorney how ever he never returns my calls or emails of questions. I scan and email all the medical bills and correspondence that is sent to me instead of him. I was told he did put in for a order of protection but the judge denied it. I do not know why. Now I am told I not only have to see there Neurologist but no one can go with me except a WC case manager.
I have a deposition next week before my appointment and was told my attorney will see me 30 minutes prior. If he does not want to be my attorney he can just man up and say so. that way I can getsomeone who cares about there cleints and patient. i am guessing since I am not getting any time loss my attorney does not get paid unless I get paid so he is not doing much of anything to help.
If I had money I would hire my own but we are already a month behind in bills because I am not working. I have seen 2 spine Dr. 1 from WC and 1 from attorney but the attorneys just quoted from the WC spine dr. report. Since I am not from here I do not have a dr. nor insurance to see one now. I was referred to a few Neuroloigists but they will not take work injury patients.
I will try to find out about Insurance Ombudsman in AZ though. I can nnot do any normal life things. I cannot even walk more then 100 yards with out sever pain and my legs almost giving out on me and shaking really bad. I am worse in the morning then get alittle better after advil then as the day goes on I get worse and worse and by evening I feel like I am not all there kind of almost confused.

Where did your injury occur and was it with an AZ employer? If not, I do not understand why AZ w/c is involved. If you injury falls under the laws of another state, what is that state?

Do you have any pre-existing diagnosed underlying neurological disorders? I ask because this forum is basically for neurological disorders, and while injury questions are welcome, this is not a w/c forum set up to assist with general w./c injuries.. . .but rather this section is more geared to those who have underlying condition when they get injured on the job. At least that is my understanding, but someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong.

A good attorney is important. Some WC attorney's are overloaded and really don't have time for the clients. Sad but true.

If the pain is that bad, I would go to the ER. The more docs, clinics, ER visits, etc. you have regarding this the better the documentation will be and the better chances you have on winning your case. Ask you WC Case Manager if they would like to attend all these visits as well. See if they will take you to the ER and explain that you are in too much pain to get yourself there.

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Get squeaking and loudly.

Good luck.

I was injuried on the job here in AZ. I have been told by both the Spine Dr's and the nextcare dr's that I need to see a Neurologist. The problem is WC has to approve who ever I see first. I have 5 herniated, bukging discs, with an abutment to the spinal cord, what ever that means and due to pain running from my foot to head and me not being able to walk for 4 weeks they feel this is neurological. I do not have any prior conditions that I am aware of. They said I have some arthritus in the spine that is normal for an active person my age. So if I am not suppose to be on this site then let me know and I will log off and never return. today is t he first time I came on here. I found it searching the web. just hoping for advise.

I have been to nextcare/urgent care 3 times and ER once which they admitted me for a week. The WC case manager has went to one nextcare appointment, and the hospital and provided transportation to the first spine dr. with safe ride as I was in a wheelchair and could not walk at the time.
I deal mostly with my attorneys assistant. I send her emails after leaving a message 24 hours prior. I realize I am not there only client but I do not contact them very often so I do not see how someone cannot spend 2 minutes or less replying to an email. most of the contacts were concerns about mail i received. appointments etc. easy stuff.
I just wish AZ was like the state I am from because I would of already been seen and either on the way to recovery, surgery or healed by now. I have been basically a prisoner in my home for over 2 months.

[Do you have any pre-existing diagnosed underlying neurological disorders? I ask because this forum is basically for neurological disorders, and while injury questions are welcome, this is not a w/c forum set up to assist with general w./c injuries.. . .but rather this section is more geared to those who have underlying condition when they get injured on the job. At least that is my understanding, but someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong.]


[So if I am not suppose to be on this site then let me know and I will log off and never return. today is t he first time I came on here. I found it searching the web. just hoping for advise.]

just to clear it up-
You are just fine- anyone can post and ask wc questions.

I had a bit better luck faxing things to my wc atty.

But I wish I would have looked around first and compared/interviewed .....

same with drs compare before choosing