Hurt at work. Contacted by nurse ?

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

That's a slight overstatement...but only a very slight overstatement.

Giving or recommending proper treatment, including recommending proper rest, healing, therapy, accommodations, or permanent solutions (as opposed to temporary patches) will have UPS finding another doctor in short order. His job is to help save money for UPS/LM.

That doctor's paycheck depends on how happy UPS is with him. UPS wants small bills and the employee back to work or quitting.

I'll ask you a similar question: You think the name on the check that pays him is meaningless?

Are you implying that company doctors don't see other patients?

 

[wilberforce15]

Are you implying that company doctors don't see other patients?

Of course they do.

And my auto insurance company's recommended mechanic fixes cars for other people, too.

But do I trust his estimate or skills? Not in a million years. He doesn't work for me. He works for the company trying to save money by paying out as small of a claim as possible. He gets paid to hide damage, do a shoddy job, and save the insurance company money. And if he did the work correctly (and thus, likely more expensively), the insurance company would find another mechanic to recommend.

Do you trust your insurance company, and their mechanic, to accurately report and fix the damage to your car? If you do, heaven help you.

He who pays the piper calls the tune. The guy writing the check is in charge, and the guy receiving the check knows it.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

Yawn.

 

[wilberforce15]

I took this conversation as an opportunity to spell things out for other readers, not to make any kind of dent in your impenetrable noggin.

I knew you were both ignorant and perfidious when this conversation began.

 

[cosmo1]

I took this conversation as an opportunity to spell things out for other readers, not to make any kind of dent in your impenetrable noggin.

I knew you were both ignorant and perfidious when this conversation began.

'Perfidious.'

If you're referring to Dan, I like it.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

'Perfidious.'

If you're referring to Dan, I like it.

Is it $5 dollar word day?

 

[Johney]

Seeing your own doctor should not be seen as a second opinion. It is your first opinion.

Any doctor being paid by the employer is simply not a doctor. He's management with an MD. For him to treat you fairly, honestly, or with your genuine best interest at heart would be to do exactly the opposite of what he is paid for.

And how do you think Teamcare will feel about paying charges from said Dr. for a work related injury? They shouldn't be responsible for that now should they?

 

[Mugarolla]

You are entitled to a second opinion after you see the company doctor.

Incorrect. You can see any doctor you want. The only advantage to the company doctor is that you see very little paperwork. If you see your doctor, you need to make sure the paperwork is filed with workers comp and followed up on.

The company has the right to send you to their doctor if they do not agree with your doctor, or want a second opinion or for a return to work evaluation.

Your choice of care is up to you. They can just send you to their doctor for a second opinion. And if the doctors disagree, the third doctor procedure comes into play.

 

[25TOLIFE]

Get a lawyer, get your own doctor and be honest and cooperative. Been through the system. The company nurse as I understood is really just a record keeper and an appointment scheduler. As soon as you retain a lawyer you will never hear from her again. Your lawyer will be the go between. The independent medical examiner is what the company doctors are called. They are usually anything but independent. UPS pays them to reduce your claim and mitigate damages although the one assigned to me was pretty decent.

 

[HBGPreloader]

The UPS "company nurse" is, at best, a case manager. Maybe, if you're lucky, she might have a nursing/medical background or experience.
As long as you're telling the truth, there should be no reason not to talk to her.
Workers comp laws vary by state. But, you're generally required to report the injury asap and seek an initial evaluation and treatment from a list of medical providers provided by UPS. This is definitely in your best interest to do so. But, it is not required.
If you are dissatisfied with the company doctor's opinion, you are entitled to get a second. However, for workers comp to cover the cost of the second opinion, you again may be required to get a second opinion from an approved list of medical providers. If you choose to use a doctor not on the list you (or your health insurance) may be stuck with with the cost of that second opinion.
There are important rules and time limits on everything you, the medical provider, the insurer and UPS does. And, much of this info should be available online - either via the state's website or on attorney web pages.
If you're suffering from what you believe to be a serious injury and are not getting appropriate medical attention, you may want to contact an attorney. Many will consult with you at no charge. However, depending on how the insurer and UPS are treating you, it may not be necessary.
After dealing with a work related injury and being out of work for some time now, I started to make some calls because I felt the workers comp doctor wasn't being responsive to my injury. And, these free consultations got me headed in the right direction.
More importantly, though, I found 2 attorneys I would be comfortable working with - should I need them.

 

[Mugarolla]

The UPS "company nurse" is, at best, a case manager. Maybe, if you're lucky, she might have a nursing/medical background or experience.
As long as you're telling the truth, there should be no reason not to talk to her.
Workers comp laws vary by state. But, you're generally required to report the injury asap and seek an initial evaluation and treatment from a list of medical providers provided by UPS. This is definitely in your best interest to do so. But, it is not required.
If you are dissatisfied with the company doctor's opinion, you are entitled to get a second. However, for workers comp to cover the cost of the second opinion, you again may be required to get a second opinion from an approved list of medical providers. If you choose to use a doctor not on the list you (or your health insurance) may be stuck with with the cost of that second opinion.
There are important rules and time limits on everything you, the medical provider, the insurer and UPS does. And, much of this info should be available online - either via the state's website or on attorney web pages.
If you're suffering from what you believe to be a serious injury and are not getting appropriate medical attention, you may want to contact an attorney. Many will consult with you at no charge. However, depending on how the insurer and UPS are treating you, it may not be necessary.
After dealing with a work related injury and being out of work for some time now, I started to make some calls because I felt the workers comp doctor wasn't being responsive to my injury. And, these free consultations got me headed in the right direction.
More importantly, though, I found 2 attorneys I would be comfortable working with - should I need them.

I'm confused. Help me out.

First you say that you are required to see a doctor on a list provided by UPS and then you say you are not required.

 

[HBGPreloader]

I'm confused. Help me out.

First you say that you are required to see a doctor on a list provided by UPS and then you say you are not required.

Ya, I should have phrased that better.
In order to qualify for a workers' comp claim, you must see a company doctor for their evaluation and treatment.
You can seek treatment on your own. But, there's a chance you can be disqualified from receiving workers' compensation.
A while back, I was injured on the job, reported it to my supervisor and finished my shift. However, after I left work, I ran into issues and sought medical treatment from a local emergency clinic that was not on their list.
I caught a lot of heck for it because management claimed that I should have returned to work, sought out a supervisor who would have taken me to see a company doctor.
It wasn't the end of the world. The company doctor reviewed my x-rays and report, assigned me light duty and the medical bills were paid. However, if I was more seriously injured, things could have been much more complicated.
Right, wrong or otherwise, it's all a bureaucracy that's supposed to reduce workers' comp fraud - and UPS takes it to the extreme. And, these extreme efforts to reduce fraud can interfere with you receiving the treatment you need.
In the end, you have to do what is best for you. So, learn the laws and make sure you don't (censored) yourself and you're not getting the short end of the stick.
So, are you not working? If so, how long will you be out? The one thing I just learned is, if you will be out for some time, you might be able to suspend some or most of your dues payment until you return to full duty.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I was experiencing discomfort in both of my elbows with tingling in the tips of the fingers on both hands. I went to see my primary who referred me to a specialist. Turns out the ulnar nerves in both elbows were pinched and I would need surgery to correct the issue. It was determined that the condition was caused by repetitive motion and was work related. The initial visits had been covered by the union healthcare and it was a pain when we had to switch everything over to comp.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

Ya, I should have phrased that better.
In order to qualify for a workers' comp claim, you must see a company doctor for their evaluation and treatment.
You can seek treatment on your own. But, there's a chance you can be disqualified from receiving workers' compensation.
A while back, I was injured on the job, reported it to my supervisor and finished my shift. However, after I left work, I ran into issues and sought medical treatment from a local emergency clinic that was not on their list.
I caught a lot of heck for it because management claimed that I should have returned to work, sought out a supervisor who would have taken me to see a company doctor.
It wasn't the end of the world. The company doctor reviewed my x-rays and report, assigned me light duty and the medical bills were paid. However, if I was more seriously injured, things could have been much more complicated.
Right, wrong or otherwise, it's all a bureaucracy that's supposed to reduce workers' comp fraud - and UPS takes it to the extreme. And, these extreme efforts to reduce fraud can interfere with you receiving the treatment you need.
In the end, you have to do what is best for you. So, learn the laws and make sure you don't (censored) yourself and you're not getting the short end of the stick.
So, are you not working? If so, how long will you be out? The one thing I just learned is, if you will be out for some time, you might be able to suspend some or most of your dues payment until you return to full duty.

If you know that you are going to be out of work for at least a month or more you should request a withdrawal card from the union so that you do not pay dues for the time that you will be out. Just remember to call them when you come back to work or you may end up paying several months of back dues.

 

[Big Arrow Down...D]

Ya, I should have phrased that better.
In order to qualify for a workers' comp claim, you must see a company doctor for their evaluation and treatment.
You can seek treatment on your own. But, there's a chance you can be disqualified from receiving workers' compensation.
A while back, I was injured on the job, reported it to my supervisor and finished my shift. However, after I left work, I ran into issues and sought medical treatment from a local emergency clinic that was not on their list.
I caught a lot of heck for it because management claimed that I should have returned to work, sought out a supervisor who would have taken me to see a company doctor.
It wasn't the end of the world. The company doctor reviewed my x-rays and report, assigned me light duty and the medical bills were paid. However, if I was more seriously injured, things could have been much more complicated.
Right, wrong or otherwise, it's all a bureaucracy that's supposed to reduce workers' comp fraud - and UPS takes it to the extreme. And, these extreme efforts to reduce fraud can interfere with you receiving the treatment you need.
In the end, you have to do what is best for you. So, learn the laws and make sure you don't (censored) yourself and you're not getting the short end of the stick.
So, are you not working? If so, how long will you be out? The one thing I just learned is, if you will be out for some time, you might be able to suspend some or most of your dues payment until you return to full duty.

Did Liberty Mutual approve one of these?