When I began this blog, it was because I have so much to say about the very shady world of work comp here in Florida and overall. But I did not realize how down I still was from the 20 year battle to survive within this "system" that protects only those who are NOT injured.
It is my understanding that Work Comp was originally developed so that injured employees would receive medical care and loss wage protection rather than by way of suing their employer. It was intended to be a good system. However, over the years, it became a business of its own with major profits to be had if money is NOT paid out to the injured. Thus began the lobbyists for the insurance companies, the legislation that took benefits AWAY from the injured and more. Per one doctor who attended the annual work comp conference in Orlando, the adjusters are told that all claims are fraudulent and that more money not spent on injured employees means more money to them in bonuses.
I had one of the finest doctors a person could want. He refused to be bullied by the threats from the work comp reps as they wanted him to change his opinion to match theirs. He was definitely not one of the many docs who will write whatever the insurance company wants for the appropriate fee. Despite his good health, he passed away while at an out of state medical meeting from a sudden heart attack. This was a terrible blow to many. This doctor was a man of ethics, of honesty and compassion. Not like some others from NW FL who would sell their souls to the devil and throw away their patient's healthcare if the price was right.
This road is full of potholes filled with corruption and roadblocks that keep innocent, injured employees from receiving proper healthcare, including doctor appointments, prescribed treatments and medications. There are so many hurdles put in the way of the injured employee, that the toll grows heavy not only on them and their original health problem, but often leads to depression and can effect the entire family. Relationships are strained and this, too, adds to the declining health of the injured employee.
It is like being sucked into a giant whirlpool that is stirred up by the insurance companies, some of the employers and biased legislation that is written by state lawmakers in favor of the insurance companies and the employers. Every session they tighten these laws so that it is almost impossible for an honest, injured employee to obtain legal counsel and to obtain what they need to treat, let alone repair, their injury.
When I first became injured and sought treatment through work comp, I was told by many that they (W/C) would chew me up and spit me out - that I should just give up because they would destroy my life. Well, they came darn close on several occasions with the unbelievable stunts they pulled. We will talk about things that can happen and that one should be prepared to handle in case it does come up. Fortunately, I did not have to sign any gag order, so I can speak freely.
There is no manual that I know of that was written exclusively to help injured employees to know what might come their way when dealing with work comp. My doctor was starting or about to start on a book that would help injured employees in dealing with work comp through knowledge, understanding why things happen and how it truly applies to them. He asked me if I would be interested in helping him with information from my experiences. Well, he is not here to write what I know would have been an extremely important book about work comp, not just for the injured, but on many levels. I hope the info that I can share in this blog will help those who are caught in that whirlpool to get free and make it back to the top.
We will be talking about so many areas: attorneys, doctors, physical therapists, adjusters, denials of medications or treatment and more.
My prayers are with all of you and your families. Back Soon!
