Need help... back pain and workmans comp

Do not take no for an answer from an insurance company or employer. I went through a neck injury about 9 years back and had 2 cervial fusions since. I got the run around by my employer and their insurance company. I finally had to take an attorney that specialized in workmans comp cases. They will fight and deny everything every step of the way. I sat on dissability without pay for a year with three surgeons agreeing that I needed the surgery to prevent further injury to my spinal cord. I wasted several years, had to sell my house, boat, cars and it ruined my marriage. I got my day of reckoning, but at a steep price. It cost my employer probably three times what it could have, but they thought they were smarter. They tried to bankrupt me and settle cheaply and that bit them in the ##### big times. I was able to hang on and wait it out, but the outcome still sucked.
I could go on and on about it, but I learned why some people loose their mind and shoot people. I wanted to do that many of times.
Make sure you get into an excercise routine and do some stretching to help with tight muscles. It helps me a lot. Lots of back pain comes from tight muscles and weak cores. I get lectured all the time and try my best to change it.

Good luck to you.

 

If you think you will recover and be able to work by replacing the seat, that seems like a lot easier solution than dealing with the work comp and disability. A good seat is $800 - $1200. you spend 40 hours + a week in it or say 2000 + hrs a year. If it lasts a couple years that's only 25 cents an hour. Small price to pay for your health.

 

Agreed, he needs to check with his state laws, but I think the time would be less than 6 months. In Michigan, it's 10 days, and if the company's doctor/treatment isn't working then they can seek treatment elsewhere on the company's dime. If they contest, the two doctors have to agree to a 3rd doctor for opinion.

I had to laugh the one time my employer wanted me to get a second opinion....because they didn't agree with their own doctor.

 

Good point. If it will solve his pain that's one thing, and you're right. Since it's a deduction that isn't reimbursed by the company, he can get the write off for it also.... my concern is that he now has injury that if he doesn't follow up on, he's screwed later....and it sounds like the employer/insurance company is drawing a line in the sand about his health, denying that the equipment had anything to do with it, thereby absolving them of all liability.

Since it's a write off, they could also buy it and deduct it, rather than making him take it out of his pocket. That's why I suggested the "amicable" option.