recurring injury

valentine

We have an ee who injured their finger back in January. Went to doctor on Friday. Returned to work on Monday. Went back to see doctor for follow-up. Report says there was no adema or sprain, break, etc. ee states "finger feels much better can bend, etc." end of case.

The other day ee comes and says finger still bothers her. Finger has always bothered her since January but didn't want to miss any work time, etc. I asked if there was an incident that caused finger to become injured again "No". Was any incident report ever filed stating finger was continuing to give problem "No". Said Was told "verbally" by doctor it would take a few months for finger to improve so they never did anything about it. As stated above. Not in doctor's report.

ED does not want to pay for ee to go back to our doctor. Says because nothing was ever reported or put in writing since original incident, it is now ee responsibility. How would you handle this situation? I understand ED thinking and partly agree -- how long should we be on hook, especially since she may have injured it again outside of work and might be just trying to get wc?

mwild31

What is "ED"?

Balloonman

You will lose this arguement in front of the administrative law judge every time. If the employee had been symptom and pain free, then I would say tell her to go medical insurance route. Is this a good worker who does not like to complain? Very well like most of us kept thinking it will get better, but eventually you have to say something.
Send her back to the treating physician.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman

valentine

Yes - ED is Executive Director. I wish this employee didn't complain. Unfortunately, she thinks everthing is "owed" to her which is why I'm surprised her finger acted up all of a sudden without anything being mentioned since January.

Thank you for your input, it was my gut feeling to send her back to our WC physician so I went back to the ED and she changed her mind and agreed to let her go back to the WC physician rather than her own doctor.

sonny

I am assuming ED is Executive Director. I know we operate under a 2 year statute of limitation. I agree with Balloman. Let her go back to the Dr.