Comp Injury

rod

Retired 22 years
Me too. He was recommended by several of my co-workers. I haven't had any problems from either of them (yet). Checks have been on time. Just the occasional call from my center manager asking how I was doing. I know he is truly concerned about my well being. I do think Liberty is getting impatient as they seem to think my follow up appointments are too far apart. They are the ones who wanted to be conservative from the start, now not so much.


I call BS. No 32 year driver thinks their center manager is concerned about them.
 

rod

Retired 22 years
I was being sarcastic. 25 years ago I did have a center manager who would have been behind me 100%. I haven't seen one of them since.
I posted that because the one and only time I went out on comp for 2 and a half months for a herniated disk my center manager called me the 2nd week I was off and told me to "get my ass back to work because he knew I was faking it". At that time I hadn't called in sick once in 17 years. I ended up going to physical therapy 3 days a week for a couple months and having a belt put around my waist with 125 pounds of weight hanging on it stretching me back out. I still remember getting out of that place feeling worse than when I went in for the first few weeks..
 

slipbob

Member
I posted that because the one and only time I went out on comp for 2 and a half months for a herniated disk my center manager called me the 2nd week I was off and told me to "get my ass back to work because he knew I was faking it". At that time I hadn't called in sick once in 17 years. I ended up going to physical therapy 3 days a week for a couple months and having a belt put around my waist with 125 pounds of weight hanging on it stretching me back out. I still remember getting out of that place feeling worse than when I went in for the first few weeks..

No one has accused me of faking it. I have an MRI that clearly shows the injuries if they would. I was surprised when (Liberty Mutual's) doctor concurred with the radiologist and my doctor. I was expecting him to say that I was fine and could return to work. I go to therapy 2 days a week and early on they were putting me on a traction table to stretch me out. Currently my PT is focusing on strengthening my core. I'm thinking I could have abs of steel and still be in pain. Some days I do leave PT feeling worse than when I went in. You did well if you were only out for 2 1/2 months. It was 2 months before they even did an MRI and at 2 months in it was still showing moderate to severe nerve compression.
 

Brownslave688

You want a toe? I can get you a toe.
No one has accused me of faking it. I have an MRI that clearly shows the injuries if they would. I was surprised when (Liberty Mutual's) doctor concurred with the radiologist and my doctor. I was expecting him to say that I was fine and could return to work. I go to therapy 2 days a week and early on they were putting me on a traction table to stretch me out. Currently my PT is focusing on strengthening my core. I'm thinking I could have abs of steel and still be in pain. Some days I do leave PT feeling worse than when I went in. You did well if you were only out for 2 1/2 months. It was 2 months before they even did an MRI and at 2 months in it was still showing moderate to severe nerve compression.
There is no current evidence supporting weak core to back problems
 

Db2400

Well-Known Member
Not sure where you are getting your figure of 11 more years...

My point, and figures were about the age at which you can retire and keep insurance. Here, 52.

As a 32 year UPSer, he may or may not already have 25 years in, depending on how many years, he worked part time.
My fault I thought he was 32 years of age.
 

Staydryitsraining

Well-Known Member
Story doesn't sound right with them making you wait 2 months. If true that's negligence and could possibly be a law suit. None the less. Most likely work comp will be denied, they deny everyone. If you have a lawyer and take them to court you will probably win. I had a bulge at l5 s1. Did the shots for years, they just delay the inevitable, surgery. I wasnt too old though and got a TDR which shockingly was approved, most insurance deny it and say get a fusion which is horrible for you. However since you seem to be older they will probably say get a fusion. Surgery will put you out 3-6 months if you want and if your doctor is on your side.
 

Staydryitsraining

Well-Known Member
I posted that because the one and only time I went out on comp for 2 and a half months for a herniated disk my center manager called me the 2nd week I was off and told me to "get my ass back to work because he knew I was faking it". At that time I hadn't called in sick once in 17 years. I ended up going to physical therapy 3 days a week for a couple months and having a belt put around my waist with 125 pounds of weight hanging on it stretching me back out. I still remember getting out of that place feeling worse than when I went in for the first few weeks..
Did you get surgery?
 

Harley Rider

34 yrs & done!
Sorry for your pain man. This is a tough job on anyone. Liberty Mutual will do anything to get away from doing the right thing or being out any money. Stall... stall...stall ...and stall some more hoping you will run out of money and either quit or go back to work.

I have had 5 surgeries between both knees and an ankle since 2015. Workmans comp has paid for it all but not without going to war with them. They will even change up your w/c rep without letting you know a thing. Had this done more times than I can count. Will not respond to phone calls or emails hoping you will just give up.

Have sat at home for months waiting for them to make a decision and to either send me to a specialist or finally authorize the surgery. They want you to go to p/t first even though my therapist and my specialist are telling them I need surgery. I worked about 2 weeks in Jan. last year. Had surgery on an ankle and knee in June. Yes... stalled 6 months to approve my surgery. Reinjured knee during p/t and had to have another surgery in Oct. I was off all of 2018 except the first couple of weeks.


Finally filed for retirement in December after 34 years of driving after seeing my legs were just done. I now have a comp lawyer and am in negotiations for a final settlement after they failed to pay for a final disability rating on my knee.

Hope that things work out better for you. Just be ready for a struggle.
 

slipbob

Member
My fault I thought he was 32 years of age.
Story doesn't sound right with them making you wait 2 months. If true that's negligence and could possibly be a law suit. None the less. Most likely work comp will be denied, they deny everyone. If you have a lawyer and take them to court you will probably win. I had a bulge at l5 s1. Did the shots for years, they just delay the inevitable, surgery. I wasnt too old though and got a TDR which shockingly was approved, most insurance deny it and say get a fusion which is horrible for you. However since you seem to be older they will probably say get a fusion. Surgery will put you out 3-6 months if you want and if your doctor is on your side.[/QUOTE

My injury occurred in late January and had my MRI in late March. I have been on workers comp which was approved from the beginning and have been receiving checks weekly. My doctor initially said that surgery shouldn't be needed. As of now he is still against having it. My attorney hasn't mentioned anything about negligence. At this point in my life I am against surgery unless things get unbearable. The shots seem to have had some minimal effect and I know they are only temporary. If surgery is my only option for a chance to return to work at UPS then I am done. If I was younger and earlier on in my career I might consider it but given my age and years with UPS it's not an option. I'm just taking it one day at a time and will see what happens. I just don't know what to expect from Liberty Mutual and UPS.
 

slipbob

Member
Sorry for your pain man. This is a tough job on anyone. Liberty Mutual will do anything to get away from doing the right thing or being out any money. Stall... stall...stall ...and stall some more hoping you will run out of money and either quit or go back to work.

I have had 5 surgeries between both knees and an ankle since 2015. Workmans comp has paid for it all but not without going to war with them. They will even change up your w/c rep without letting you know a thing. Had this done more times than I can count. Will not respond to phone calls or emails hoping you will just give up.

Have sat at home for months waiting for them to make a decision and to either send me to a specialist or finally authorize the surgery. They want you to go to p/t first even though my therapist and my specialist are telling them I need surgery. I worked about 2 weeks in Jan. last year. Had surgery on an ankle and knee in June. Yes... stalled 6 months to approve my surgery. Reinjured knee during p/t and had to have another surgery in Oct. I was off all of 2018 except the first couple of weeks.


Finally filed for retirement in December after 34 years of driving after seeing my legs were just done. I now have a comp lawyer and am in negotiations for a final settlement after they failed to pay for a final disability rating on my knee.

Hope that things work out better for you. Just be ready for a struggle.

I appreciate your information and am sorry you had such a rough road. I have no intentions of giving up and am trying to do everything that they ask. I know that things are going to get crappy and am doing my best to prepare for whatever they throw at me. My doctor hasn't suggested surgery yet which is fine with me. I would use surgery as a last resort if things get unbearable but not as a path to continue driving for UPS. I want to walk away and not be hobbling or wheeled out of there. I hope that you get a settlement which you consider to be fair and that you are able to enjoy it. That is a lot of surgeries to go through and I wish you the best. Thanks again.
 
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Staydryitsraining

Well-Known Member
The problem with the disk is it will continue to leak out. Unless you plan on dying soon, 5 years, I would say get the surgery. It's about 100% better than dealing with the nerve pain. What you should expect is eventually they will either force retirement or end work comp. I would think anyway.
 

Harley Rider

34 yrs & done!
Thanks man. I was lucky to be in a supplemental that has 25,30, and 35 and out for retirement. I was trying to get the extra year in and the bigger retirement for the 35 years.

Even better, after retiring I filed for SS disability and was approved on first try. All my surgeons records, xrays, and ct’s undoubtly helped with that decision. Even they knew my legs were toast.

As Rod can attest to I’m sure, it’s nice getting up of a morning and not having to put on a brown uniform. Just would be nice if my body would allow me to do a lot of the things you dream and plan about doing while working.

Wish you the best
 
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