Posted On: April 7, 2006, 10:04 am CDT

Posted By: KNOWKNEES

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but these new laws are supposed to take the Applicants Attorney "out-of-play", by the employee dealing directly with the Insurance Company to resolve disputes. In my case the IC said "You have reached MMI and there is nothing more we can do for you." Case closed. I went directly to the Safety Director of the Company I worked for and explained, I believe there is something still seriously wrong with me that you're conservatively treating Dr.s have missed. His reply, "I'm sorry, its arthritis a pre-existing condition, so do what you have to do." I was FORCED to hire an Attorney to get the Medical attention I felt I still needed. Enter the Attorney and re-open the W/C case and sure enough after re-evaluation I needed Surgery after 3 months of Conservative treatment with no results. Now I had worked on a knee that needed reconstruction using my hamstring. Not only am I faced with Permanent Impairments I am also faced the paying for an Attorney for getting the Medical attention I should of been entitled to in the first place, without representation. Basically the way I see it is the W/C IC can now say thats that, end of story. If the employee is FORCED to hire representation to get the attention he needs, how many more of me are going to fall through the cracks? Not all employees are going to argue with authority figures (W/C IC Dr.s) I believe this 'new' legislation favors Big-Business and turns MO. Injured Workers into disposable. Am I wrong? Please show me the benefits this affords the worker. I worked 4 months on a destroyed leg with no restrictions off and on, throughout this ordeal. Now I will have to live with Permanent Impairment that could of been avoided. Respond and tell me why I'm wrong.