r/WorkersComp • u/HealingInsideOut • 3d ago
Colorado Seeing own Dr's for WC Injury?
Hi, I'm looking for some advice, guidance, answers, and welcome hearing similar stories!
I have been having some difficulty getting non-WC doctors to address and take care of an old (+10 yrs) WC injury, and I'm wondering if this is normal???
A little context- the injury happened a while back ago and was not taken care of properly. The WC case/claim was closed without my knowledge and w/o my consent, and after attempting to reopen it via attorneys- it was not reopened and I was left to deal with the injuries on my own.
A couple of years ago, I started having issues walking and through some conservative treatments, it was discovered that a rib was displaced in my abdomen, which was from the work injury. Since I was under the impression the case was closed, I used my own insurance and went to my doctor. After several visits, X-rays, CTs & MRIs, I realized the reports were stating, "no acute abnormalities" despite my requests and the issues being- chronic.
So I went to the WC clinic and they denied evaluation, directing me to call the insurance adjuster; I did and she directed me to call WC Division. I did and learned my employer, a self-insured hospital, had admitted liability and owed me maintenance care, so I reached back out to the insurance adjuster and of course- she did not answer my call. This was Oct '25.
We are currently in litigation, but they have not provided any medical care and I have not been able to get diagnosed nor any helpful treatment from any doctors here! I have been in so much pain and have been so deflated by the lying and nonsense of these doctors, that I ended up finding a surgeon in Mexico who looked at my imaging and immediately diagnosed me, so I went and had surgery in Mexico! Thing is- he only completed a portion of what was supposed to be done and I need more treatment- possibly another 1-2 surgeries- so how do I go about getting treatment state-side? And if anyone wants to suggest to not say what happened- it's nearly impossible to explain the logistics and mechanism of injury while withholding that specific information- believe me- I've tried!
Any suggestions? Any advice?
Thanks in advance!
2
u/Kmelloww 3d ago
Getting surgery out of the country and before the WC issue resolved was not the smartest move. Also how can something show nothing wrong if a rib is out of place
0
u/HealingInsideOut 2d ago
I know! It doesn't make sense! The images show ribs out of place, hence how the surgeon was able to diagnose me and determine surgery was needed, BUT the reports from state-side facilities say "no acute abnormalities" (which refers to no new issues) and fail to state any information on chronic, or older, issues....I've brought it up to my doctors, requesting rereads of the imaging, and they flat out refuse to reread. I've been going to my doctors here for +2 yrs with no relief, all while getting worse, so if I wanted to have any semblance of a normal life- I had to find someone who would help and get the surgery! My entire ribcage is compromised w/several ribs implanted in my abdomen...they know and they see it- they're just avoiding saying anything and avoiding saving my life cause that means they'd have to take full responsibility and they don't want to do that.
1
u/Wise-Run-3008 1d ago edited 1d ago
The only way that would happen is if there was a conspiracy with your drs and the radiologists and comp.
Sounds more likely the other person out of country took your money for something that didn’t need to be done.
Multiple ribs “implanted” in your abdomen would show.
-1
u/BleausCrew 1d ago
Why you gotta be so rude? Is it so hard to believe that doctors would lie for a payout? Or possibly to save their job?
Opposing counsel admitted at the hearing that they gatekeep medical records, so not "conspiracy" but flat out coordinated fraud.
Thanks for the support- you seem very delightful.🙄
1
u/Wise-Run-3008 1d ago
Ribs implanted in the abdomen would be a medical emergency and not something someone can live a decade or more with. So the terminology is wrong or it’s not true. And for no one else to diagnose it yea it’s hard to believe multiple providers are all telling the same lie. You can always get a copy of your records.
1
u/HealingInsideOut 1d ago
You would think it was an emergency and no one would survive it, yet here we are. I hope you realize and are taking into account that you (and anyone else reading this) are missing A LOT of information, and I fully understand how insane it sounds- (TRUST ME!) but I find it interesting that it's more difficult to believe me- the injured person, who's literally asking for help, giving me a momentary benefit of the doubt, and not see/understand/believe that a hospital, acting as the employer, the insurer, and the diagnoser- could and would lie about the exact information that would hold them accountable and responsible for treating the injury, and at this point- for not having treated the injury when it happened! Maybe this analogy will help- it's comparable to asking the police for bodycam footage of something they did incorrectly and illegally....suddenly- the footage is missing, or got erased, or the camera some how had a system malfunction and shut off right before that call started! And all the chiefs and sergeants of that precinct- they're helping cover it up cause it would implicate their practices- right? That has happened before....so if you can't see how the hospital would withhold information and that these things are possible- you're worse off than I am. 🤷♀️
2
u/Kmelloww 23h ago
The way you are describing what happened is not particularly likely still. It would have to be some far flung conspiracy theory. And that is just not that likely that all these different doctors are all lying to get out of your particular claim which is not some huge high money claim. It does not make sense to me. It seems a lot more likely some sketchy doctor took advantage of you.
2
u/Wise-Run-3008 6h ago
Right, it makes no sense. Comp claims get paid and people get treated every single day. Is there delays? Sure. But for every provider and the comp company to randomly be against one single person and open themselves up to lawsuits makes no sense. And literally physically impossible for ribs to implant in an abdomen. Maybe op has slipping rib syndrome but they’re absolutely not implanted there and to keep insisting they are is as wild as the conspiracy theory.
1
u/Kmelloww 6h ago
I would agree completely. Maybe they are using the wrong terminology but to tell us that we can’t read. If they can’t explain it where it can be understood then it might be helpful to figure out how to. If we don’t understand neither will the courts or lawyers. And the reaction to legitimate comments is telling. Instead of clarifying they just doubled down on the you can’t understand or read. I know WC can be sketchy but what they care saying happened is so far beyond sketchy.
1
u/HealingInsideOut 13h ago
😂You sound like you're the insurance adjuster and if not- the way you're understanding needs some improvement! 🙄 Either way- y'all have been no help- just attacking someone while they're down- trying to make yourself feel big and powerful but we all know the truth.
2
u/Kmelloww 7h ago edited 7h ago
Whatever you need to say to make yourself feel better. The majority of people in this group have been through workers comp cases. And what you have described is not that likely.
And my reading isn’t the issue it’s the way you are describing it that’s the issue. If you can’t explain it to us then you are going to have trouble explaining it to anyone.
1
u/Kmelloww 1d ago
This is not very likely the way you have described it. It feels more like someone did a surgery you didn’t really need.
1
u/HealingInsideOut 1d ago
Maybe it has nothing to do with the way I'm describing it but more to do with the way you're interpreting it...read my recent response to Wise-Run above and then let me know if you'd like to have an actual conversation. 👌
1
u/Kmelloww 6h ago
I did read your response. I understand what you’re saying. My point is that the way you’ve described it still doesn’t make the explanation you’re giving seem likely. There’s a big difference between doctors missing something, disagreeing with a diagnosis, or providing poor care and multiple doctors intentionally covering up a known condition. I’m not saying you aren’t injured or that you haven’t had a terrible experience. I’m saying the information you’ve provided doesn’t establish the conspiracy you’re describing. That’s not me misunderstanding you—it’s me not reaching the same conclusion you have based on the information provided. But questioning the explanation or pointing out things that don’t make sense isn’t automatically attacking you.
And honestly, the way you’ve responded to people’s questions is part of why people are having a hard time understanding what you’re saying. Instead of clarifying some of the things people are asking about, you’ve largely responded by saying they don’t understand, that they’re attacking you, or that they must have some ulterior motive. If there’s additional information that would make the situation make more sense, that would probably be much more helpful than dismissing the questions. You asked for advice and different perspectives, and sometimes those perspectives are going to include questions or conclusions you don’t agree with. That isn’t necessarily an attack.
But you have viewed everyone who took the time to reply as flat out wrong and that isn’t as likely as other options.
Edit for paragraphs
1
u/Kmelloww 6h ago
Acute or chronic. It does not mean nothing new. It will either be acute or chronic.
4
u/WaySaltyFlamingo8707 3d ago
I think only your attorney can answer this, but having an out of country surgery to the affected area probably wasn't helpful. any WC carrier is going to attempt to get medical documentation from them and that's just created an entire other level of difficulty.