I have been off work since 09/15 and have been diagnosed w/cervical spondolosis/degerative disc disease/carpal tunnel syndrome (& most recently discovered osteoporosis). Although some (all?) of these things 'may' have started long ago from aging (56) and/or prior job as programmer, I've never had problems with anything until started working in a repetitive-motion standing-on-my-feet-for-entire-sift manufacturing environment for last 2+ years. About 4-5 months ago I started having major problems (will not go into all problems in all problem areas here but this numbness thing was what kind of got my ball rolling) w/dominant right arm going numb on me. Went to regular dr. who sent me for xrays, EMG, specialist, MRI, specialist, xrays, physcial therapy, occupational therapy, etc. etc. Work told me to file their FMLA form which I did & they said this was the only form I needed to submit to apply for Short Term Disability... that & the Medical Certification. I've been thru 2 pays w/ $zero & w/ the typical medical bills just a' rolling in. Work is giving me a run around w/ forms that I have submitted (over & over again & they keep saying there is one problem or another), didn't even GIVE me a couple of forms until just last week (those are probably ones that SHOULD have been filed eons ago). I have done a little research & it appears that I should be filing a WC claim.
#1) Now work wants me to sign a document that says if I get any kind of settlement from anywhere else (because they did finally send me the worker's comp forms) that I would have to pay them back for any Short Term Disability $$ I may have received up to that time (which to date, as you recall, is zero dollars). Should I sign & submit that form? #2) Can a person get STD and WC? #3) I have written a letter that I was going to send, more or less stating that I have asked for assistance multiple times w/ all of this since the get go, have not really gotten straight answers or required forms, blah, blah, blah... just to have something documented that I am TRYING to do what's right here. Should I mail it? I have made it perfectly clear that I have never had to deal w/ anything like this before so I'm actually begging them for assistance WHICH I AM NOT GETTING (& now - you know what they say about hindsight - they know they are dealing w/ a novice on everything). #4) Where does FMLA come into play on all of this? #5) Does it charge against your 12 weeks of FMLA if you do get STD and/or WC? #6) If you are on a medical leave can a company let you go after so long a period of time where you are just left w/ no job? #7) Should I just come to a screeching halt on EVERYTHING & just go find an attorney? ---- Sinking fast here as we're moving into 8 weeks of being off work w/savings running out, fax logs, taped conversations, no income, no resolutions, & no end in sight. Thank you, thank you, thank you to ANYONE who may be able to help me... unfortunately all of the stress is putting my depression into a deeper place.
#1) Now work wants me to sign a document that says if I get any kind of settlement from anywhere else (because they did finally send me the worker's comp forms) that I would have to pay them back for any Short Term Disability $$ I may have received up to that time (which to date, as you recall, is zero dollars). Should I sign & submit that form? #2) Can a person get STD and WC? #3) I have written a letter that I was going to send, more or less stating that I have asked for assistance multiple times w/ all of this since the get go, have not really gotten straight answers or required forms, blah, blah, blah... just to have something documented that I am TRYING to do what's right here. Should I mail it? I have made it perfectly clear that I have never had to deal w/ anything like this before so I'm actually begging them for assistance WHICH I AM NOT GETTING (& now - you know what they say about hindsight - they know they are dealing w/ a novice on everything). #4) Where does FMLA come into play on all of this? #5) Does it charge against your 12 weeks of FMLA if you do get STD and/or WC? #6) If you are on a medical leave can a company let you go after so long a period of time where you are just left w/ no job? #7) Should I just come to a screeching halt on EVERYTHING & just go find an attorney? ---- Sinking fast here as we're moving into 8 weeks of being off work w/savings running out, fax logs, taped conversations, no income, no resolutions, & no end in sight. Thank you, thank you, thank you to ANYONE who may be able to help me... unfortunately all of the stress is putting my depression into a deeper place.
