Can work comp make you change P/T?
 

The doctor who first examined me for work comp (their pick) sent me to physical therapy. Great therapist but I saw him only once before work comp called & said I had to go somewhere else. Can they do that if it's someone their IME assigned? I have TOS & a cervical rib - first of all P/T isn't going to do much for that & 2nd it's rare - I seriously doubt the storefront outfit has even heard of it.

I live in Omaha, NE. If anyone knows of a good doc for TOS in the area, please let me know!

Many thanks,
Mary

I am not sure of your states laws but here in Delaware I have a right to choose whom I see. They can make me see their dr. but I can choose my own treating dr., pt., etc.

Find a good wc atty and find a dr of your own choosing- possibly the good wc atty will know of qualified drs for difficult claims.

You need very good drs on your side plus expert PT for best chances of recovering/healing. The cervie rib complicates things a bit.

Were you healthy active and able bodied before the injury?
And can prove that?

Was the injury an acute incident with witnesses -easier to prove
or an accumulation over time- more difficult to prove...

Check out your state website for detail's about wc laws & rules.. and check out the sticky threads above

Thank you for the replies! I live in NE & don't know the "rules". After reading all the posts on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome I'm thinking I need a lawyer?

NE is a no-fault state, which means all I have to prove is that my condition worsened on the job. I had no problems whatsoever until my job was computerized. 14 years ago :(

Thanks again,
Mary

I really think so, TOS is not something that shows on a image or testing, the cervie rib shows but they may claim that it is the cause of your injury and not the job.. complicated situation.

Don't accept any settlement until you have seen some expert TOS drs for evaluations.
Surgery to remove c rib may or may not fix things. That's why the expert docs are needed, for their knowledge & expertise.

Keep exploring our TOS forum as well as the sticky threads there.

I live in another state side by side with the state I was injured in. In finding out what a crumby lawyer I had, I got paperwork that said I have a Medicare Set Aside. Then I found out that I had to have an 8 level surgery C-2 to T-3. They denied it. So I am trying to find another lawyer. He said I was lucky that they denied it. If they had approved it I may have had to go to that other state to have it. A two day drive and I have had this surgeon for 3 prior operations. Yes, they can jerk you around.

:(

Most of the time an IME doc can not refer you for treatment, nor take you as a patient.

Yes they can.
 

They can make it as hard as they can to get treatment and leave them alone. Make you go to their doctors, change one that is doing good. It's in their best interest to make you go away. If you have a GOOD attorney, they can keep a handle on this.

m