705red
Browncafe Steward
I got hurt Early December last year. I tried to catch a crate they fell at me that weighed about 60 lbs. UPS clinic said I had a strain, of course they did. Right after xmas I put out on comp. I saw my Dr last week of december, he ordered an MRI which showed that I has a slight herniation of the l5-s1 disc.
He recommended a course of 3 epidural injections, which is the treatment for this before looking at surgery options. UPS/ Liberty Mutual didn't see it that way. I was put on hold while I awaited an appt with their IME Dr. The IME agreed with the treatment. Now during this time I went close to 2 months without a check for comp. At no time was my injury ever disputed by UPS or Liberty Mutual.
Finally in March 2 months after it was prescribed finally I get my 1st injection which helped with the numbness and tingling in to my toes. i do the therapy and in 3 weeks I saw the Dr again. Lets do the 2nd injection.
Some "NURSE" in utilization review denied the procedure, even with my Dr and the IME dr saying it was necessary. Finally in late May Liberty Overrides and approves this shot. The shot helped again, I started work hardening, where I had a few flare ups and set backs. But I finished the program and actually with the herniated disc passed a mock FCE.
Went back to the Dr and he said lets try going back to work with 8 hour restrictions for a few weeks. This was late July, and I did. The 1st week was not to bad and the checks were nice, especially since UPS was working me over my restrictions of 8 hours, more like 9, 9.5 and 10 hours.
The 2nd week I started having some more pain and stared calling in because of my sciatic pain. I could not even bend my left leg.
I went back to the Dr and asked if we could do the 3rd shot, because I was still having problems. He ordered it and again the "NURSE" denied the procedure. Liberty had me have the Dr appeal it. Again Denied by the "NURSE".
SO I call to schedule an appt with the back surgeon, since they wont take the easy route, and my Dr gives me 8 hour day restrictions but I must take Wednesdays off, this way I dont work more than 2 days straight.
Now that Im seeing a surgeon, all of a sudden the shot is approved and overridden by Liberty again, but I have to see another IME.
I saw the IME yesterday and did not see my Dr until today. So the IME is to evaluate me and give his recommendations, without even knowing what my Dr wants to do.
The IME recommends me for a Microdiscectomy surgery where they shave the disc off of the nerve, and says that I can return to full duty???? I need surgery, but I can work full duty!!!?????
My Dr wants another MRI and an EMG to see what has changed since early January before cutting me.
I get a call just now from my manager saying that risk management is putting me back to full duty starting tomorrow!!!!
So it appears that UPS is really trying to cripple me here so I cant come back to work. I just wanted to update my friends here as to why I have been away for a while. I have been biting my tongue, but IM BACK and man am I going to blast away!
This just shows you that UPS does not care about anyone of us, and to you people that like to bash the union! Look at what they do to people that try and do the right thing for you. Maybe show some support for your stewards.
He recommended a course of 3 epidural injections, which is the treatment for this before looking at surgery options. UPS/ Liberty Mutual didn't see it that way. I was put on hold while I awaited an appt with their IME Dr. The IME agreed with the treatment. Now during this time I went close to 2 months without a check for comp. At no time was my injury ever disputed by UPS or Liberty Mutual.
Finally in March 2 months after it was prescribed finally I get my 1st injection which helped with the numbness and tingling in to my toes. i do the therapy and in 3 weeks I saw the Dr again. Lets do the 2nd injection.
Some "NURSE" in utilization review denied the procedure, even with my Dr and the IME dr saying it was necessary. Finally in late May Liberty Overrides and approves this shot. The shot helped again, I started work hardening, where I had a few flare ups and set backs. But I finished the program and actually with the herniated disc passed a mock FCE.
Went back to the Dr and he said lets try going back to work with 8 hour restrictions for a few weeks. This was late July, and I did. The 1st week was not to bad and the checks were nice, especially since UPS was working me over my restrictions of 8 hours, more like 9, 9.5 and 10 hours.
The 2nd week I started having some more pain and stared calling in because of my sciatic pain. I could not even bend my left leg.
I went back to the Dr and asked if we could do the 3rd shot, because I was still having problems. He ordered it and again the "NURSE" denied the procedure. Liberty had me have the Dr appeal it. Again Denied by the "NURSE".
SO I call to schedule an appt with the back surgeon, since they wont take the easy route, and my Dr gives me 8 hour day restrictions but I must take Wednesdays off, this way I dont work more than 2 days straight.
Now that Im seeing a surgeon, all of a sudden the shot is approved and overridden by Liberty again, but I have to see another IME.
I saw the IME yesterday and did not see my Dr until today. So the IME is to evaluate me and give his recommendations, without even knowing what my Dr wants to do.
The IME recommends me for a Microdiscectomy surgery where they shave the disc off of the nerve, and says that I can return to full duty???? I need surgery, but I can work full duty!!!?????
My Dr wants another MRI and an EMG to see what has changed since early January before cutting me.
I get a call just now from my manager saying that risk management is putting me back to full duty starting tomorrow!!!!
So it appears that UPS is really trying to cripple me here so I cant come back to work. I just wanted to update my friends here as to why I have been away for a while. I have been biting my tongue, but IM BACK and man am I going to blast away!
This just shows you that UPS does not care about anyone of us, and to you people that like to bash the union! Look at what they do to people that try and do the right thing for you. Maybe show some support for your stewards.
