1. I need to understand my injury better – my diagnosis and what’s really wrong with me – and my medical treatment, the medications I’m on, the tests I need.
2. I am concerned about my pain or other symptoms – wondering whether it is safe to move and whether I am seriously hurt.
3. I need to know more about what I can do to get better & take care of myself.
4. I need a better understanding of the workers’ compensation system - and my rights.
5. I need to know more about the medical care process, finding good doctors, getting appointments, how I can get my questions answered, and so on.
6. I need answers about money questions – when am I going to get a payment, how much will I receive in benefits, etc.?

7. I have concerns about the way the people at my workplace are reacting – my employer, my boss, and co-workers.
8. I am worried about my physical safety when I go back to work – re-injuring myself or getting hurt all over again.
9. I am uncertain about my ability to return to work, keep my job, and my future.
10. I am concerned about the disruption of my home and family life, or other kinds of personal worries.
11. I need to figure out who all these people are that have been calling me up and sending me papers about this and what role they play.
12. I have a question or concern that’s not on this list.

1.  I need to understand my injury better – my diagnosis and what’s really wrong with me – and my medical treatment, the medications I’m on, the tests I need.

(1) Call your doctor’s office and ask to speak with a medical professional about your condition.  (It is unlikely you will be able to speak with the doctor, but one of the nurses may be able to talk to you.)  If you can’t speak with someone immediately, leave a message that describes your concerns/questions – so they know what you’re calling about – and ask for a call back or an appointment.  Tell them you need more education about your medical condition.  The office may also have some brochures or written information for you to read.

(2) If your MCO has already assigned a case manager to you, call him or her directly and ask for help.

(3) Go to Reliable Medical and Health Information Sources here on the Early Injury Assistance website.  Go to several of the websites listed and search for your condition to find out information about the condition, typical treatments, impacts on your function, etc.  Look at more than one site as each has its own style, and they do not all cover exactly the same information.

(4) And if you are scared or worried that your condition is really serious or might be getting worse and your doctor’s office hasn’t responded, go to a local Urgent Care Center or Emergency Room and then let your MCO know.

2.  I am concerned about my pain or other symptoms – wondering whether it is safe to move and whether I am seriously hurt.

(1) Call your doctor’s office and ask to speak with a medical professional about your condition.  (It is unlikely you will be able to speak with the doctor, but one of the nurses may be able to talk to you.)  If you can’t speak with someone immediately, leave a message that describes your concerns/questions – so they know what you’re calling about – and ask for a call back or an appointment.

(2) At your next visit, ask your doctor to take a minute to teach you about your pain.  There are different kinds that mean different things.  What kind of pain do you have?

a)  Is it a sign that you are in danger so you really shouldn’t move that part of your body much at all?

b)  Or is it a temporary bother and you’re really in no danger?  You may simply need to take it a little easy and let your tissues heal.  If so, that probably means you can do most anything you can tolerate.

c)  Or is it something you’re going to have for a long while or even forever?  If so, that probably means you need to learn how to live with it, and figure out how to work around it so you can have a good life anyway.

(3) If you have been referred to a physical or occupational therapist, you can also ask them the same questions.

(4) And make sure to ask your doctor for information about your condition (and read about it on a reputable website like the ones here at Reliable Medical and Health Information Sources.  You need to know what to expect and what you should and should not be doing to help yourself get well.

3.  I need to know more about what I can do to get better and take care of myself.

(1) See Your Role in Your Medical Care and Recovery for a lot of good advice.

(2) Download the fact sheet called Tips for Injured Workers.  It has some good suggestions.

(3) Ask your doctor this question every time you have a follow-up visit.

4.  I need a better understanding of the workers’ compensation system - and my rights.

(1) Start by reading the Workers' Compensation sections on this Injury Assistance website.

(2) Then take the Guided Tour on the BWC main website.

(3) For information about your rights, see Your Rights and Responsibilities.

(4) Download and read the BWC’s Handbook for Injured Employees.  You’ll find a lot more information about what to expect, and much more detail on workers' compensation benefits than we included in this site.  Also, the Injured Workers section of the main BWC website has even more details.

(5) Go to the Injured Worker Questions & Answers (FAQs) section on the main BWC website.  You will probably find what you’re looking for there.  In fact, the BWC website contains lots of useful information - if you take the time to look around.

(6) If after you read these things, your question is still not answered, call your Claims Service Specialist at BWC. Another resource is the Ombuds office at 1-800-335-0996 or ombudsperson@bwc.state.oh.us and ask for help.

5.  I need to know more about the medical care process: finding good doctors, getting appointments, how I can get my questions answered, and so on.

(1) Start by reading the Medical Care Delivery Process page on this Injury Assistance website.

(2) Go to the section on the main BWC website called Injured Worker Questions & Answers (FAQs) . You will find a lot of good information there.

(3) You can call your MCO directly, or contact your Claims Service Specialist at BWC if you’re not sure who to call.

(4) The BWC website has a lot more useful information on it - if you take the time to look around.

6.  I need answers about money questions – when am I going to get a payment, how much will I receive in benefits, etc.?

(1) The Injured Workers section on the BWC website has features that let you see the financial details of your claim, including payments made and payments scheduled.  It also allows you to view documents filed in your claim and notes made by your Claims Service Specialist at BWC and case manager at the MCO. These claim documents and notes may give you more information about the benefits being evaluated or paid in your claim.  Be sure that you set yourself up to use those features of the BWC website.

(2) Call your Claims Service Specialist at BWC and ask for help.  One of his/her main responsibilities is to evaluate whether you qualify for benefits, and if so to make sure you get your payments timely – and for the right amount.  If you get voicemail, leave a message that describes your concerns/questions – so they know what you’re calling about – and ask for a call back.

(3) Note that BWC has no flexibility on payment amounts and in most cases no flexibility on payment schedules even if you have financial emergencies.   If you expect trouble meeting your financial obligations due to delayed payments in your claim or overall benefit payment levels, discuss this issue with your Claims Service Specialist at BWC.  While they may not have any flexibility in the amount or schedule of your benefit payments, it will help for them to be aware of your financial situation.  If BWC is unable to help in your situation, you may want to get in touch with a social worker, financial counselor, or a social services organization in your community.

(4) If you are really in a jam and don’t get a satisfactory response, follow the suggestions at If You Run Into Trouble ....

7.  I have concerns about the way the people at my workplace are reacting – my employer, my boss, and co-workers.

(1) First, make sure you are doing your part and holding up your end of the relationship.  Read the section entitled How to Play Your Part, and especially the parts about keeping in touch with your employer, what to do when you need something, how to make a specific request, and what to do if you run into trouble.

(2) Download and read the fact sheet called Tips for Injured Workers.  It has some good suggestions, too.

(3) Then we suggest you try to understand what's going on from the perspective of the people at work.  Have they had to scramble to make up for your absence?  Are production goals being missed now?   Has it been hard to schedule a temporary replacement or has this event resulted in an unplanned expense for your employer?  If one or more of these are true, some people at your workplace may be having a hard time understanding or accepting your absence.  Of course you have had the even greater inconvenience of an injury, but even so don’t immediately blame them for not understanding your situation.  This is an unplanned event for everyone involved and your employer may be frustrated that someone ignored a safety rule or created a dangerous work hazard.  If possible, talk to them and express regret or concern that they are having to make do without you, and assure them you are getting better and are eager to get back to work.

(4) For further insights into what your boss might be dealing with, download and read the fact sheet Tips for Supervisors.  Both you and your supervisor have an important role to play in your recovery.  Many times, supervisors are just as unfamiliar with this system and unsure what to do as you are.  And it’s also possible your supervisor got wrong information about what to do in the past.  So you may want to start a discussion with your supervisor by giving him or her a copy of the tip sheets for both supervisors and for injured workers – so you can get on the same page with each other.

(5) You can also call your Claims Service Specialist at BWC and ask for help.  If you get voicemail, leave a message that describes your concerns/questions – so they know what you’re calling about – and ask for a call back.

8.  I am worried about my physical safety when I go back to work – re-injuring myself or getting hurt all over again.

(1) In general, don’t allow yourself to be put in a dangerous position but do try to solve the problem in a way that (a) keeps you and your co-workers safe, (b) maintains harmony in the workplace, and (c) allows you to stay productive at work and continue to get a full paycheck while you recover.

(2) Maybe the thing you see as a workplace safety risk has simply been overlooked.  Your supervisor at work may not realize that the problem that originally caused your injury has not been corrected yet.  Someone needs to point it out to your supervisor and make a suggestion for how to fix it – in order to protect you and your co-workers and avoid another injury.  Who can do it?  If for some reason you cannot talk to your supervisor yourself, try to find someone else who will listen and can do something about the situation.  If your company has a safety or human resources person, that’s a good place to start.  Tell them why you are concerned – what you are afraid might happen.  And suggest a solution if you can think of one.

(3) Maybe your supervisor simply doesn’t understand why you need special protection and from what.  Or maybe your supervisor simply doesn’t know how to make adjustments to job tasks or select the right ones.  If you are concerned that your employer will not honor the restrictions and limitations set by your doctor, tell your doctor and ask him or her to call your supervisor directly.  (Remember to give the doctor your supervisor’s phone number.)  Getting a call from your doctor will usually resolve the situation very quickly -- once your doctor explains why you need protection, and your supervisor has an opportunity to confirm which tasks are and are not safe for you to do.  Even if the two of them don’t actually connect, a voice mail from your doctor’s office will often make a big difference.  If your supervisor still demands that you disobey your doctor’s orders and you feel you are being endangered, talk to the safety person at your work.  If that doesn’t help, call your MCO case manager, your Claims Service Specialist at BWC and your doctor to ask for advice.

9.  I am uncertain about my ability to return to work, keep my job, and my future.

(1) It’s normal to wonder about this.  Since you were only injured a short while ago, it is probably too soon to tell for sure what’s going to happen.  Things change rapidly over time.

(2) There are differences between people.  Some of us are younger or in better shape than others which allows us to bounce back more quickly.  Some of us are older or were in poor health due to other medical conditions before we were injured, which can slow down recovery.  Overall, however, the human body has a remarkable capability to heal.  And many people discover they can find a way to adapt to almost anything!  As the saying goes: “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

(3) It is good to talk to your doctor about your concerns.  Ask him or her how soon you are going to be fully recovered, and whether it’s likely it is that you’ll get completely back to where you started.  Also ask what you can safely do at work in the meanwhile – and what you should be doing now to make sure you achieve the best possible recovery.

(4) Many doctors have not had specific training in how to help people get back to work or how to estimate the length of time a recovery will take.  (That’s why BWC uses a set of medical treatment and duration guidelines based on medical research.  That’s also why BWC sometimes asks other doctors to get involved – to help evaluate these issues.)  They also know a lot less about your job and work environment than you do.  Here is where you need to play an active role in your recovery.  Learn about your medical condition and the effects it has on your abilities over time by researching the web site on our page of Reliable Medical and Health Information Sources.  Then you can contribute productively to the discussions with your doctor and employer on how you can best come back to work.

(5) Another resource is an MCO case manager.  If your MCO has already assigned one to you, you can call him or her directly and ask for help.  Your MCO’s website may have useful information about how they can help you with the question of returning to work.

(6) If not, you can always call your Claims Service Specialist at BWC and ask for help.  If you get voicemail, leave a message that describes your concerns/questions – so they know what you’re calling about – and ask for a call back.

(7) Many employers allow their employees to work at a temporarily modified version of their regular job so they can be safe while they are recovering.  Sometimes, people who have been out of work for a while need to come back slowly, a few hours a day to start, and gradually build back up to full time.  Some people can keep doing their old job, but with some kind of adjustments made to accommodate a change in their ability to do particular maneuvers.  An occupational or physical therapist, or a vocational rehabilitation professional may need to assist with that process.  Go to the main BWC website and look at the pages on Modified Duty and Transitional Work for additional information.

(8) If someone’s injury has changed their capabilities so much that they simply can’t ever go back to their usual job, a vocational rehabilitation professional will try to help find a new kind of work for them.  Go to the main BWC website and look at the pages on Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Programs for further information.

10.  I have concerns about the disruption of my home and family life, and have other kinds of personal worries.

(1) Remember to talk to the people who care about you - your friends and family.  Oftentimes, simply getting things off your chest or asking for help can make you feel a lot better.  Most people are eager to help others.  They will really appreciate being given a chance to provide moral support or practical help to you in time of need.

(2) Read the material about Your Role in Your Medical Care and Recovery

(3) You may find some good suggestions and resources for how to deal with the things you’re facing - and the stress and worry that go along with them - on these self-help websites: www.helpguide.org , www.get.gg , or www.llttf.org as well as the medical school websites listed at Reliable Medical and Health Information Sources.

(4) You can also share your concerns with your MCO case manager or with your BWC Claims Service Specialist.

(5) You may be eligible for a benefit called Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through your employer.  These programs have experts who are specially trained to help with family and personal stress due to things like your medical situation.  If your company has a human resources department, ask them if you have access to an EAP or other benefits that might be helpful in your situation.

(6) There are professionals available to provide emergency or short-term crisis services in many communities.  They help individuals and families during hard times, and usually offer their services to anyone who lives in the community.  They may work for local government or non-profit agencies or for places of worship.  You can reach them through your local hospital, police department, or 911.

11.  I need to figure out who all these people are that have been calling me up and sending me papers about this and what role they play …

(1) Download and read the BWC’s Handbook for Injured Employees.

(2) The BWC website contains lots of useful information if you know where to look.  One of the sheets the EIA caller will send you has information about how to get around on that website.

12.  I have a question or concern that’s not on this list.

(1) Call your Claims Service Specialist at BWC or your case manager at the MCO and get his or her advice how to handle it.