Anyone knowledgeable about workers comp?

[Digit]

Botched Knee replacement for unknown reasons less than a year ago...trying to see specialist in revisions. W/C wants me to see surgeon in same practice as the one who botched the surgery and who has very little experience.

My fear is that he will dare not say initial surgeon made mistake (thus will say it is fine), they all use same prosthesis so if THAT is the problem little hope they will make a change, plus the sheer lack of experience of the revision surgeon.

I have chosen wonderful experienced surgeon whom I would feel confident in doing the surgery, but so far they will not allow me to see him. (out of network).

How do I get switched to my surgeon of choice? I am so afraid of losing my ability to walk at all...I want someone who will give me the best chance possible of a successful outcome.

Any and all help is welcome!

[MichiganVote]

1. You'll have to see the surgeon they require. Not to do surgery.

This requires a special form of manipulation and you have to be confident you can be pretty persuasive. Basically you are being required to pay to stand the recommendations of your surgeon of choice next to the asshole surgeons recommendations or actual work performed.

But First...

Basically, you have to go into the WC surgeon's office with an attorney's biz card in hand talking about how much the attorney believes in you and wants you as a client in order to freak out WC Doc. Then...because they are all pretty much stupid as hell and want to avoid trouble...provide them with the name of your pick as a second opinion to forestall a lawsuit. I usually find it helpful to talk...quietly but persistently..about your resume' of other lawsuits.

So talk like a wingnut.

[Digit]

2. Where does it fit in

When the original surgeon (I had chosen eons ago) said another doctor needed to see what was going on upon which I provided the name of the top revision specialist in the area outside of their practice and was told to stay within the original practice...just a different dr?

Do I go to the ortho referred within the same original practice with an atty's card and pit the preferred drs credentials against the one they want me to see? (nobody within the original drs practice can hold a candle to the one I want to see...)

As I see it, I get one more chance at this...to be able to walk and hold a job or be on disability for the rest of my life. I don't need another incompetent or inexperienced dr...I want to have my life back.

Oh, and it is not something that is hard to prove there is a problem. It is quite obvious but I don't wish to get into specific details.

[SeattleGirl]

3. My job is working with injured workers, assessing their ability

to work. Been at it for 20 years.

What state do you live in? Each state's laws are different where worker's comp is concerned, but I might be able to help.