Georgia Workers Compensation blog

Jodi Ginsberg's Georgia Workers' Compensation Blog

Understanding the Law

On the Job Injury Damages Left Arm – Now Right Arm Hurts Due to Overuse. Does Workers Comp Cover the Right Arm?

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I wanted to know if there was anything that could be done to help me. I had surgery on my left shoulder and have reached MMI with a disability rating and significant work/lifting restrictions (I’m a nurse). Now, my right arm is starting to grind and bother me. I know it’s from overuse of it because I had no problems with it until I kept having surgeries on my left (3) and had to use it all the time. Is this a part of my workers comp. claim or do I have to be on my own with this?
Sonji

Jodi Ginsberg replies:  Sonji, he injury to your right arm is potentially compensible as part of your workers’ compensation claim.  If your authorized treating physician will agree that the problems you are having with your right arm are consistent with overuse that is reasonably and logically the result of having only one functioning arm then you have a strong argument for benefits.

[tags] arising out of the course of employment, georgia workers compensation, overuse syndrome [/tags]

Company Doctor Will Not Help Me – Is There Anything I Can Do?

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My question is that, I’ve been out hurt for a year and 3 months with a crushed heel. I’ve seen 2 workers comp doctors and just saw a independent doctor. The independent doctor said that he could heal me,and do surgery but the workers comp doctor disputes his opinion. Now the insurance company says that their not going to let me see him nor pay for the surgery. If the workers comp doctor would have x-rayed my foot he would’ve saw that its still broke but he hasn’t x-rayed it in 6months or hasn’t seen me in 3 months and refuses to give me anything for pain. Isn’t that refusing me treatment? Please give me some advise???
-John

Jodi Ginsberg responds: John, thanks for your question. I am going to assume that you are not yet represented. If you are, you should speak with your lawyer to discuss the reasons for the denial and what you can do about it.

There are a number of approaches I would consider in your case. First, I would evaluate whether you have a good argument to ask for a change in your authorized treating physician. If you are not getting better and the independent medical exam doctor states that surgery is indicated, I think that the State Board would consider a request for change in treating physician. The law provides for such a change if the current doctor demonstrates a “failure to effect a cure or give relief.”

I would also discuss with you whether you might consider a settlement of your claim. Sometimes, when there is uncertainty in a claim (differing opinions by the doctors), you have an opportunity to maximize your settlement dollars since the insurance company faces an unknown risk in future surgeries and wage benefits. Settlement would only be appropriate if you feel comfortable that you could pursue medical treatment on your own and are prepared to assume that risk.

New Job Injury Triggers Related Medical Problems – What is Compensable?

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North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer Dan Deuterman recently wrote about one of his cases, Clark vs. WalMart, that ended up in the North Carolina Supreme Court. Although the Clark case arose under North Carolina law, there are implications for Georgia workers’ compensation claimants.

Mrs. Clark, a 64 year old lady, worked as a greeter at WalMart. She injured herself while attempting to move a decorative sled while standing on a 10 foot ladder. Ms. Clark had previously been diagnosed with osteoporosis. After initially accepting the claim, WalMart cut Ms. Clark off, arguing that Ms. Clark was not entitled to presume that her on-going back pain was solely the result of her job injury given the pre-existing osteoporosis.

The North Carolina Supreme Court agreed with WalMart that Ms. Clark, as the injured employee, had the burden of proving that her on-going disability arose from her job injury and remanded the case back to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (which is roughly equivalent to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation). The Industrial Commission ruled that Ms. Clark was permanently disabled and that WalMart had to pay for her medical care, including spine care associated with osteoporosis.

This case highlights an issue that we often see here in Georgia. Often our client’s work injury is not the only medical problem afflicting him or her. Sometimes, our client has a pre-existing medical problem (one known to the employer) that makes recovery from the new on-the-job injury more time-consuming or complicated. Sometimes an unknown medical problem will arise due to the stress and shock of a sudden work injury.

Employers and their insurers will attempt to limit the medical treatment to the specific work injury and will refuse to pay for medical treatment that is not directly related. As you might imagine this stance creates issues as often the “other” medical problem limits healing or affects treatment. Certainly, in Mrs. Clark’s case, her job injury at WalMart did not cause her osteoporosis, but the osteoporosis most definitely affected her healing and the extent of her recovery.

As is the case in North Carolina, disputes between employers and their insurers about what constitutes compensable care ends up before workers’ compensation judges.

Employer Does Not Want Me to File My Injury Claim Under Workers' Comp. Is This a Good Idea?

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I would like some info. I was injured on the job last week. Actually I broke my foot while working in the woods. My employer said to present him a bill and he will pay instead of filing workers comp. Who is that benefiting he or I? I have since worked everyday just limping along. It hurts alot, but I have a family and cannot miss a paycheck. If he doesnt pay the bills what should I do, or should I do something now? Please advice.
–Edgar

Jodi Ginsberg responds: Edgar, the purpose of workers compensation is to allow an injured worker to get the proper care and income benefits when he cannot work at all or at his normal job. However, workers’ comp is not a choice that your employer gets to make – if you are injured on the job, you have the absolute right to file a claim. Your employer is trying to get you to avoid the system so he does not have to put a claim in to his wc carrier.

In my opinion, that approach is not good for you. You need proper medical care; weekly benefits and the time to heal from the injury. You should not play games with your health.

In addition, if you try to submit medical bills from an on-the-job injury to your health insurance company, they will probably reject the claim as workers’ compensation is considered the primary insurer in an on-the-job injury claim.

Finally, in a worst case scenario, if you do not file your claim and a year goes by, you may lose the right to file for workers’ comp. because of the statute of limitations. If your employer should then decide to stop paying for your medical care, you could be out of luck.

I realize that sometimes injured workers do not like to “rock the boat” and therefore may not to press the issue with their employers. Unfortunately, however, it has been my experience that employees who try to “help” their employer usually end up with the raw end of the deal. At the very least, therefore, please call me at 770-351-0801 so we can discuss what is in your best interest.

[tags] workers comp vs. health insurance, not filing on-the-job injury claim under workers compensation, workers compensation and statute of limitation [/tags]

My Employer Says That the Company Does Not Have Worker's Comp Coverage – What Should I Do?

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My mom got injured on the job severly and they say she cannot get workmans comp because the place didnt have it. She fell in a cooler and because they can’t prove it was wet she can’t do anything. Can you help her?
–Carissa

Jodi Ginsberg responds: First you should call the State Board of workers’ compensation at 404-656-3692. Tell the receptionist that you need to verify an employer’s coverage. Give them the name of employer and date of accident.

They will then tell you if there is workers comp insurance coverage. Do not believe the employer if they tell you there is no coverage. You need to confirm it with the Board. If there is coverage please call me at 770-351-0801 to discuss as we can then determine if there is a case to pursue.

[tags] employer not covered by workers comp insurance, Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation [/tags]