I was injured at work and despite conservative care, my radicular leg and back pain left me unable to sleep and barely able to function. Over time I grew frustrated, short tempered and frightened about my future. Despite being a young lawyer, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do my job given my inability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; a prerequisite to being a trial lawyer. I was taking narcotic medications that left me fuzzy at best and only took the edge off my pain. I want to share with you what I've have learned over the past few decades since my injury and lumbar spine surgery.
Over the years I have handled or represented over a thousand cases involving spinal cord injuries. I'm unique in being the only Minnesota work comp attorney who has sustained a spinal cord work related injury. In fact, I have undergone three spinal surgeries since 1992. Lucky me right? Twentyfive years later spine surgeries have dramatically changed and in most cases improved. During this time I have seen aggressive use of lumbar and cervical fusions, the introduction of artificial discs, and development of spinal cord stimulators.
Most lawyers are hesitant to offer advice on surgery because they haven't had the same. Though I'm a workers compensation attorney, I feel obligated to be a "counselor" as well. I encourage my clients to explore conservative treatment and only enter into the decision of spinal surgery after the same. I also make sure that they understand that though surgery can relieve their symptoms, in rare situations their conditions could worsen. I offer the names of physicians and clinics that have a proven track record of having, "good hands, good heads and good hearts". I consider myself lucky that my surgeries have turned out extraordinarily well. I am 100% pain free.
I often blog that not all workers compensation attorneys are equal and that experience matters. This applies to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons as well. Like some lawyers I know, a surgeon may come across as confident and a smooth talker. This doesn't mean they are either good in the courtroom or in the operating room. Surgeons can be overconfident of their talents and fail to communicate or even know the long term outcome of their surgical patients. Very few have patient follow up beyond 3-6 months post surgery. If the patients having ongoing or worsening pain and are non surgical there is usually nothing a surgeon can offer you and they wash their hands with you. In fact, in many cases the last time you see your surgeon is just before the surgery or while recovering at the surgical center or hospital. Often follow up care is performed by nurse practitioners or physicians assistants. Remember; "good hands, good heads and good hearts". It's rare to find a surgeon with both.
If you sustained a work injury and want to discuss the surgery, I'm happy to sit down with you for free and listen and discuss with you your options. A decision to undergo surgery is a personal decision and I will never tell you to do the same. I will simply share with you what I have experienced personally and in the thousands of workers compensation cases I have been involved with over the last 25 years. With this information you can hopefully make a more informed decision of what is best for you and your family. Contact us today at 651-333-3636 for a free consultations. Every single one of our attorneys has been honored as a Superlawyer and is a workers compensation expert. Visit us at www.mndisability.com for more information. Also visit our video center for answers to many of your questions. Our phones are answer 24/7 and in many cases you can talk to a lawyer anytime of the day or night.
