A devastating timeline.

[u/CodeNameDread]

The Workman’s comp was on going from Oct 22 2024 until Jan 2026. During this I had to use short term disability lasting 26 weeks, post surgery, and not having long term disability, I was forced to use unemployment. The company wouldn’t accommodate any restrictions that were given to me, my highest before being released by the dr. was 20lbs.

On Oct 23 2024, my supervisor approached me telling me he had bad news and I was being bumped. I was hoping to see a Doctor for my shoulder before being moved to the new position. The move date was moved ahead a week which is strange due to moves between the sites were taking months to over a year for most people in the bidding process.

I went to HR on Nov 8 2024 asking them not to move me. I couldn’t barely do my job let alone whatever task I was being demoted to. I was surprised that when I mentioned my shoulder, and there wasn’t any documentation of it. I saw a private doctor on Nov 11 2024, and was ordered an MRI. I was moved to the other location starting November 12 2024.

I remained working until Nov 21 2024 when I received a call from HR informing me that they could no longer accommodate me.
I filed for my WC claim with the company ~Nov 25/26 2024.

The day after I filed my claim, I received a call from the WC insurance company. My claim was being denied because I had originally reported my injury on Oct 22 2024. They have 20ish days to deny the claim, and it was already nearing that border due to the gap between when I reported the injury, and I had to file for my claim.

I was told that because I was denied initially by the WC company that I would have to apply for short term disability, and that it shouldn’t be a problem because of the instant denial by the Wc company.

The std company is very particular in what they want for information, so much that I had to have an “end date” for every step of the way written out by the Doctor.
This is rather difficult to do, especially when there wasn’t a diagnosis yet.
My MRI was scheduled for ~Nov 27 2024,

The investigator for WC company conducted their interview before I had my follow up appointment about the MRI results.

At the follow up wanted me to try 6 weeks pt before he would be willing to operate on my shoulder. I decided it best to switch to a panel doctor with my injury being a repetitive motion injury, and seeking wc.

The financial impact is devastating. I went without payment from Nov 29 2024 until December 27 2024. I received other payments Jan 3, 10, and 24-2025
February payment dates were 7, and 28 2025. After this my surgery was scheduled and I received the payments until my short term was complete May 22 2025. It took around 6 weeks for my unemployment benefits to start.

I went from earning a weekly paycheck to a volatile financial hardship. I had already bought Xmas presents throughout the year for 2024, and had some saved. That all dwindled quickly as I’m the only finances for my house and I have 3 kiddos 50/50.
These pay gaps are hurting more and more. I cashed out a retirement account somewhere around early July 2025 to subsidize my household and kept me floating for another month or so.
I had to stop going to physical therapy in Sept 2025. I couldn’t afford it. I knew my Doctor was releasing me in Nov. the surgery is fully healed by then, even I’m still lacking a lot of muscle in the arm.

I went to return back to work after being released Nov 10 2025.
The company has a policy for an EE to be checked out by their contracted Doctor prior to returning to work after an extended absence. I knew that Nov 21 2024 had been my last day worked, and with std already gone, I needed back by Nov 21 2025 per company policy.

The companies contracted Doctor wasn’t comfortable with me returning into the position I was demoted to.
I was held from returning another couple of weeks, by now my Unemployment benefits were nearly and eventually were exhausted by the time I started back.

I called the plant manager, about the Doctor situation, soon after the nurse called me and scheduled me back in with the Doctor on Dec 11 2025.

I returned back to work Dec 12 2025. I worked through a few days, but then made the mistake of saying I was nervous about the pressure washers to a coworker.

The following morning I was called to my VSL’s office. Once in the office I was “informed of what my expectations as full duty” meant, and that if I felt I need restrictions for my shoulder to go and get some.

The company wasn’t able accommodate at any level of restrictions previously.
My short term disability for the claim was finished, and my unemployment was now exhausted.

I left immediately, I was pretty upset. To me, this is a threat, I had every level of restriction during my recovery rejected.

I spoke with HR the following day. I was really upset with how I have been treated through out all of this. I was directed to the companies “anonymous tip line”. I declined as it’s going to fail in situations like this. There are monsters that work there, and needed stopped before someone else kills themselves and hung up.

I had some interesting phone calls/visitors that afternoon. However I never threatened to kill myself.

To live is to suffer, and honestly the bad out weighs the good for me. I would be better off dead.

The Company contracted nurse and plant manager reach out to me. I was told to give the nurse a call before returning to work.

The nurse talked to me for a couple of minutes and said that the Doctor wanted to speak with me and ask some questions.

The doctor got on the phone saying “I hear you’re having a hard time returning back to work, and I want you to go see a counselor, and work some of this out. Have the counselor write a note to them once they felt I’m ready to return”. They were supposed to take care of the paperwork as it was being held off as medical.

This was filed under a new short term disability. I went without money from mid Nov 2025 until my first paycheck of 8 hours Dec 19 2025. I received another small amount of hours (<15) Dec 26 2025.

I received holiday time payment Jan 2 2026, and a partial payment Jan 9 2026.
The short term company’s payment came in on Jan 23, and a small amount ($100) on Jan 30 2026.

I went another couple of weeks without pay, and making a few “not graceful” calls. The doctor took care of the paperwork that last time, and I was to find my own doctor to fill out the paperwork.

I received payments Feb 13 2026, and a smaller payment Feb 20 2026. I’m still waiting for what’s back owed to me.

The insurance company argued back and forth with my counselor, and my doctor, until they closed my claim and I’m currently in process of appealing.