CA WC- trial back-to-work
 

Has anyone done a trial period back to work? I am wondering if by doing that- does it re-set the whole process? i.e. If I hurt myself further during the trial period, do I submit new forms? etc..
If the Doctor, or, in my case - QME, says you should try a trial period, do you have to? I'm just trying to mentally prepare myself for that.

I have only about one more month until the QME says I'm P&S and I really don't know what to expect at the end of this mess. Any stories you want to share about disability pay, going back to work, and/or life with RSI would be educational and welcomed by me!! :D
Thank you!!

That's what I did- "they" suggested it & I agreed to try it and ended up off work again and re injured. Supposedly some sort of "test"?? in my case. I kind of was left hanging on my own after that fiasco- I didn't really trust my doctor after that - she should have said "not with her chronic reinjury history"!!
but that doesn't answer all your questions though.

I really don't know how it would affect your case/claim/injury.

Do you have your own treating dr??
you should if not, your dr should be evaluating your condition and rxing modified work or no work.

Are you only seeing a Qme/Ime?

My employer had a MCO set up{managed care organization?} - they would send employees to those drs first for work injuries.
Basically they try to get you back to work asap. Whether that is the best for you or not.

I went 2 times for shoulder injuries {basically PT, slight restrictions then back to full work in a month:(} and for the next injury {RSI & another arm/neck/shoulder injury}I finally went to my personal dr that had tx'd me for the very first RSI. She moved away so i had to find a replacement dr to continue my treatment- unfortunately she wasn't as knowledgeable with RSI or comp claims.

Anyway - at some point you can get your own dr- in most states I'm sure. something else to check on your state site.

QME/IME are rarely there to treat/help the worker- they are supposed to be an impartial MD to assess your injury but often paid by for the comp ins company so the reports are often slanted to the favor of the company. And often they are not specialized in your probable diagnosis.