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Over a year ago, my 35 yr. old daughter was injured on the job and sent to an urgent care facility for a diagnosis of muscle strain and sent back to work on light duty. Her pain continued and increased throughout the day, so she was sent to another doctor. She took her x-rays to the designated doctor and was re-diagnosed as having three "bulging" disks and had a MRI performed. She was released back to work on "light duty" while waiting for an appointment from another referral doctor. The company put her in the automotive dept. and gave her the duty of stocking shelves again, where she was re-injured. The company apologized to her attorney, but continued to insist she return to work. Seeing the previous doctor again, she was put out of work by order of physician and began receiving weekly checks. Because she was unable to have her appointment with the third specialist prior to her first hearing, her benefits were cut off. One week later, she saw her third physician, who put her completely out of work again, prescribed medications and began therapy to increase her muscle mass. She has gone to therapy for the last five months and is continuing three times per week. Her physician still has her out of work orders updated every thirty days, has had a consultation with both attorneys, and told them she cannot work even in a sedentary position. Two days before her second hearing to re-instate her income, the opposing attorney canceled. She has had no income since March, waited until October for her hearing and was told by mail it was canceled. Now she has to wait again, with no income and unable to work. She now has another hearing in December, but the opposing attorney may cancel again. My daughter has consequently lost her rental home, her car, cell phone and other resources to maintain an adequate standard of living. She is technically homeless and living between family and friends waiting on the insurance provider to pay their claim. She is now being treated for depression and anxiety as a result of her injury and her declined standard of living to below poverty level. She has a sixteen year old daughter whom I do my best to care for with my limited income. The system is not working for her and for many others. My God! Is this America or a third world country where people are cast off and forgotten because they are an inconvenience or liability? We need some reform in the Workers Compensation arena, and we need it soon. People are homeless, hungry and on the very brink of despair because of the current laws that are obviously created to protect the insurance carriers and corporations who are supposed to protect the insured. When we work, we pay our WC premiums faithfully every week, but when a claim is made it is automatically assumed the worker should return to work and not receive entitlements. The question I have is this; When will this problem be brought to light in the media and when will our politicians make this an issue to be resolved? I would truly appreciate any feedback from anyone who has advise and I thank you all for the courtesy of allowing me to express my feelings and frustrations to you.

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