AllBodySurgery.com
Federal Workers Compensation IME's?
I am on Federal WC for the past two years. I injured my back 12 years ago at work, had surgery, was out of work a total of 10 months prior to and after the surgery. I was out of work 5 months before WC finally approved the surgery, which was 100% pure pain going through physical therapy and all before they finally did an MRI at which time they discovered I needed surgery immediately. I went back to work, and was much better after the surgery, however, I still lost days of work here and there over the years due to severe, debilitating pain. On these days that I was out of work due to my back problem, I always used my own leave. I felt I could not be bothered with all the paper work so I bit the bullet and used up most of my leave. Fortunately, I had wonderful co-workers and bosses that let me work at home when I was unable to make the trek to work. Now fast forward 10 years after the surgery...I am unable to walk, sit or stand for very long at all - thus resulting in the past two years of being on WC. In a nutshell I have no life, and the life I have is 95% housebound and 100% pain (when awake) etc. I now use a cane, sometimes a walker depending on how bad I am. The diagnosis...a failed back discectomy syndrome. I have a difficult time admitting to this, but the life I once had (which was very active and wonderful) is now a thing of the past.....not to mention my second job that I also had as a bartender making fabulous money, nights and weekends before my surgery. Now I am back and forth with IME's. My primary orhtopaedic doctor has been with me through this whole thing (12 years) and is wonderful (he feels very bad about my situation), but there is nothing they can do for me at this time. Now my question is the IME's that WC makes us patients go to. I live in Massachusetts and I have my third IME (in two years) approaching and was notified by mail that I am not allowed to have anyone in the room at this exam with me. I would like to know if anyone knows if this is legal or not. It sounds awful suspicious to me. I have never received a letter of this sort before. Once I had a family member come into the exam room with me at the last IME because I was very sick and weak that day from the pain. Can anyone tell me if they know if this is legal in MA for a patient to be ordered to be alone in a room at an IME exam by a workers compensation doctor?
Public Comments
- I can't say for sure, but, I don't think they can dictate if you have someone with you or not. But it sounds to me like you should contact legal aide or a lawyer. If you feel that uncomfortable with this decision you can always reschedule your appointment for after you have gotten legal advise on this situation. I believe there are lawyers that deal specifically with this type thing. So I say again get legal advice before going to that appointment.
