u/Life_Reserve6989

I just can't. I need to get this off my chest.

We spend our whole lives with death or dying as our shadows. Never paying much attention to the details of our own unavoidable demise. We just acknowledge that it lingers there.

I've played many potential scenarios out in my head throughout my life. But never ever did I imagine my life would end up reduced to rubble and my will to live so utterly diminished. Because of an injury that happened while on the clock at work. Not a permanent injury. I mean not that I'm aware of. But after 9 months of playing all the stupid effing games. I'm just fucking DONE!

Which would dictate my fate. My life, it's worth and meaning. All balanced on who would take on the financial responsibility for treatment. TREATMENT!

Sound familiar?

Okay, I'm not sure how to even explain all of this. All I know is nothing seemed right, and now I'm terminated. So I'll do my best. I'm really just looking for some insight to see if others have had similar experiences, and yes, I have a lawyer. Which I brought on 4 months into this yoyo b.s. we call workers comp.

I've been off work full time since January with a shoulder ( & neck issues they won't acknowledge) injury that made it impossible to do my sedentary job. Which requires sitting and vigorously typing (data processing) during 10 hour shifts.

I state all that for reference. Okay, so in June, I did try to return to work part on a reduced schedule and lasted 4 days before the pain in my shoulder, upper trap muscles, and side of neck. Were so inflamed and painful, it took 2 days of rest to feel okay enough to function. So off work again.

Then, out of the blue, my lawyer sent me a return to work full time with no restrictions agreement from my employer to review. Which was dated 3 days prior. If I didn't have objections, he would send me a verisign link to sign it to be sent back. This document was from my office manager. With the Vocational Counselor signing off in aggreance.

It basically stated what my job position is and described my job duties and their expectations to perform the job. Which was described in a way to appear. I would not have to use my left arm for the majority of my shift. Any typing requiring the use of my left arm was minimal and in short bursts. To my surprise, my occupational medicine provider had already signed off on this as well. This Meaning, everyone agrees to the terms outlined in the document that I can go back to work full time with no restrictions. Of course, I had serious objections. The job description was a lie. All I do is type! It's a highly stressful job that requires my upper extremities to be engaged nonstop. Imagine that it causes a lot of tension. It also stated that I needed to be signed into my regular shift on Monday 8/3 at 6:30 a.m. or my time loss payments would end.

I was pissed to say the least! I had no idea this was being discussed. Well, I had an appointment that afternoon with OC MED. I wanted answers! He explained that because of the way they described my job duties and because workers comp removed the rotator tear from my claim and only left bursitis that he couldn't object to my ability to perform this job in my condition. So basically, go back to work and do it the way they described that it can be done successfully. At least that's what I got out of what he was saying.

So I emailed my manager to inform her I received her return agreement. I did not agree with how my duties are described, and it would take time figuring out how to be successful processing my work with minimal to no use of my left arm. But that it appears I will be signing in to work on 8/3. She emailed me back and said she would be scheduling a Zoom meeting with me at 8 a.m. that Monday I returned. I'd like to note that I work from home as well.

It took my lawyer another 4 days to send me the link to sign the agreement. Which I did. 5 days later, the day came, and I signed in. Emailed my manager for feedback on what exactly I needed to do or do first. You can imagine that after so many months off, I had piles of emails and faxes and things to address aside from the actual work. She emailed back to just go through my emails until the Zoom meeting.

Well, the meeting came and low and behold my manager and a rep from our HR department was also attending. The meeting was to inform me they were terminating my position. That they no longer needed 2 people to complete the work. There were a few open positions in our clinic that I'm more than qualified for that they could have put me in. But stated our organization is downsizing, so they won't be currently filling them. They offered me 30 days' pay at my regular rate and a severance package. Which included an additional 3 weeks of pay at my regular rate and that they wouldn't contest should I seek unemployment.

WOW! Just wow! I sent it to my lawyer to review. I received my last time loss payment, and it was short almost $300 dollars. Apparently, they stopped paying on the date the agreement was signed by my OC MED provider. 7/22. Even though I wasn't made aware of any of it until 3 days after that and was told to return 8/3. Like most, I'm on the verge of homelessness. With everything being sent to collections.

This whole situation is a disgusting disgrace!

My life was pretty damn good. Until I got hurt at work. Now I'm 51 and jobless.

I've been off work with an arm injury for 6 months. I had to get a lawyer once WC stopped applying themselves and denied my rotator cuff injury was work related. (Once the MRI came back, I needed surgery)

Anyway, there were a few work related issues that occurred while I was off that I knew would put pressure on me returning at some point.

For whatever reason. My manager decided that since I could return with modifications , that's what she'd have me do. Work part-time processing prior auths using one hand and typing with one finger.

Day 3 and I'm losing my frigging mind!! Nothing makes sense. I've forgotten how to utilize our platforms but more importantly the sites and applications needed to process these prior auths have changed as well. So nothing looks familiar! It's taking me hours where it should take 10 minutes. No one is willing to help me because they are so short staffed and drowning. Which is I think the only reason they didn't let me go. That and everyone is ignoring me completely or very short and rude in their responses.

I also came back to an accusation that could potentially get me fired with cause. Which is 100% false. But non the less being stated.

I'm having serious panick attacks and high anxiety over all of this as I'm already struggling with my mental health over this workers comp hell I've been in.

I've never had problems at work. So this is all terribly hurtful.

Has anyone else ever dealt with a similar scenario?

What's the difference between the 2

Just trying to get some feedback from others who have had to do the vocational counseling requirement.

My lawyer informed me I have a phone appointment to speak to one next week.

My last OC MED appt cleared me to return to work with restrictions. I'm guessing since I haven't heard back from my employer (2 weeks now) that they possibly cant find something for me to do with my restrictions. I don't know what's going on, and I'm not familiar with what or why the vocational thing is happening. Does it imply I'm not going back to my old job? What happens after speaking with the vocational people?

Any feedback is appreciated

I'm almost 6 months into this. A little background. Injured left shoulder/neck. Claim was accepted and approved within days even though the OC MED provider drug his ass on everything. I've had an EMG and an MRI that shows bicep tear and a torn rotator cuff. I've done 13 rounds is PT. Had my IME 7 weeks ago. The report states that they do feel there is a valid injury though they couldn't state for sure it isn't from a preexisting condition as I had a shoulder injury in 2018 which I've had no problems with since. They recommended some more testing and referral to see a rheumatologist (possible autoimmune disease complicating things)

My lawyer did have me switch to a better non affiliated Occupational Medicine provider who stopped my second round of PT, to switch to massage therapy and also to rheumatology (but we can't seem to find one that takes LNI.) OC MED does feel surgery is inevitable. My APF states I can return to work with restrictions (no use of left arm, basically). I type 9 hours a shift. I sent my manager the copy, and when I didn't hear back after 2 days, I messaged her and asked what the plan was. She told me she needed to have a "quick meeting to get some feedback on the next step"

That was 2 weeks ago.

Anyway, my lawyer sent me an email today that I have a vocational assessment on the 19th. But he didn't explain what that meant going forward. I asked if this indicates my employer will not have a position for me, and if I'm losing my job. I haven't heard back from him yet.

Just wanted to get some feedback from anyone on what this will mean or could mean.

I effing hate not knowing what's going to happen next.

As the title states. If you pay SS your whole working life. But pass away at any time prior to retirement age. What happens to all of the money you've paid into the pool?

Sorry if this is a very common and repeatedly asked question.

*** edited to state. Thank you to all who answered this in an informative and respectful manner. I understand now that it's basically an insurance policy.***

Chances are what you're going to share has already been states. But thank you for taking the time.

Speaking on TTD payments. I'm not sure if the guidelines or rules differ on when those stop from state to state. I'm in Washington state.

But what generally puts an end to those? I ask because I've read comments on here where others experienced payments stopping with little to no warning.

As anyone could imagine. That could be a life or death reality for some folks. In my case, as a solo parent with children. Who already has had their normal income cut in half over the past 5 months.

I'm left waiting on bated breath every 2 weeks to buy groceries and put fuel in my car for appointments. (Not to mention rent!)

What scenarios would prompt WC to stop payments immediately?

For context. I did have an IME, and it stated I needed to complete PT. They just approved 12 more visits, and I needed to see a rheumatologist. Which the assigned provider agreed with and submitted a referral for. That referral was over 2 weeks ago and still has not been approved by WC. Interestingly enough, my additional PT was requested by my PT office last week and was approved in 2 days.

My steroid injection for my shoulder hasn't been approved, and that was a month ago. I did just switch my attending provider as well. So now I'm worried this will poke the hornets nest and things will get even worse for me and my family

After reading a comment on another post. I can't help but wonder/worry now...

If you end up having to get an attorney because of all the WC b.s. and crud you end up being subjected to. Would it prompt an employer to let you go? In one way or another?

I've only spoken to my office manager like twice in the past 4 months. Aside from emails in the beginning.

I did end up hiring an attorney after my IME and my office manager suddenly suspended my work credentials so I could no longer access work email, workday etc.

OC MED also has recently billed me directly for an office visit to go over the IME report. Which never happened. I contacted the billing department and provided them with my claim #. They said they would take care of it. Well, today, I received another notification for a past due larger bill. It appears to be a duplicate charge of the first! I have no idea what the hell is going on with that.

So yeah, as my potential final follow-up with OC MED approaches (April 29th), I lawyered up.

First place of business was finding and scheduling me with a new OC MED provider (not affiliated with the self insured healthcare conglomerate that I work for)

I was told to call and cancel the original follow-up appointment. To inform them that I'm transferring care. Which I did through their office voice mail.

Now I'm wondering..

Will all of this put a nail in my coffin at work?

Will my time loss payments end?

WORST part of the WC experience.. at least for me.

THE NOT KNOWING of what kind of SHIT you're about to go through.

The most abusive relationship, I was helpless to escape.