Spinal Cord Stimulators. Are They Safe And Will Work Comp Pay For One?

Spinal cord stimulators have been around for decades.  In the nearly 25 years that I have been a workers compensation attorney, I have been involved in nearly a hundred cases involving spinal cord stimulators.  The first observation I have is that the actual devices have dramatically changed over time.  The first ones were large, clunky, plagued with software issues and not permanent.  They are none of those things now as you can see from the image to the right.

Years ago I represented a "retired" US Marine who sustained a significant back injury.  After a "failed" lumbar fusion his surgeon recommended a spinal cord stimulator.  "Bill" wanted to be able to get back into his farm fields to drive tractors and bale hay for his livestock.  After the stimulator was implanted Bill was a changed man.  His smile returned, he was extremely mobile and yes he was able to get back on his tractor.  I spoke with Bill a few days ago and he recently had a new model implanted that was voluntarily paid by the workers compensation insurer after losing the first fight nearly 10 years ago.

The process has changed somewhat since Bill had his stimulator implanted.  Bill's device was recently replaced because the battery power was failing.  New models are much smaller and  unlike Bill's first model, they can be charged subcutaneously or through your skin.  In addition the software which is just as important as the hardware has dramatically improved.

Over the past decade Atkinson Law has NEVER lost a spinal cord stimulator claim.  NEVER!  There are specific rules that must be followed by your treating physician to obtain approval and payment for your device.  At Atkinson Law we have a very successful model we follow to present a strong claim where appropriate, to assist you and your physician obtaining approval.  If you are considering a spinal cord stimulator I strongly urge you to contact one of our attorneys today.  Call 651-333-3636 and visit our website at  www.mndisability.com You consultation with our expert attorneys is always free and if we get your spinal cord stimulator approved, our fees will be paid directly by the workers compensation insurer.

Atkinson Law Office Wins Minnesota's First Work Related Medical Marijuana Case!

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog article about the expansion of medical marijuana as a tool for treating chronic pain and muscle spasm.  For those who are new to the changes in Minnesota law, in 2015 medical marijuana use was expanded through rules changes by our state legislators and Governor Mark Dayton.  By the summer of 2016 medial marijuana can now be prescribed for pain purposes alone.  Prior to this legislative change, medical marijuana was primarily allowed to only treat terminally ill patients.  No more!

For those of us who represent injured workers, we have noticed dramatic changes in the use of prescription narcotics and opioids in treating chronic and often intractable pain.  Gone are the days when Oxycodone or Percocet are prescribed for months or years to treat chronic pain.  Now a cost effective and far less addictive alternative is being allowed as an effective potential tool by medical practitioners to replace opioids and narcotics.  And Atkinson Law Office is proud to be leading the charge in this change.

In the fall of 2015 Atkinson Law Office was contacted by an injured Minnesota workers compensation claimant who suffers from chronic pain.  He fought long and hard to avoid using narcotic medications following his return to full time employment.  Despite multiple spine surgeries and hard work to retrain himself, he was still plagued by chronic muscle spasm and pain.  Working with the injured worker, Atkinson Law Office filed a claim petition seeking payment of medical marijuana for our client.  Though the insurance company initially fought our efforts, through skillful advocacy for our client the insurance company eventually was force to agree to pay for his medical marijuana.   At a fraction of the cost of narcotic medications, medical marijuana also has far less addictive properties than narcotics and is a reasonable alternative to control pain and muscle spasm.  Atkinson Law couldn't be prouder in being Minnesota's first successful medical marijuana victory in a workers compensation claim.  

If you or a loved one has sustained a work related injury, the lawyers of Atkinson Law are tenacious fighters in helping you recovery the benefits you deserve.  With over 50 years of combined legal expertise we specialize in workers compensation.  Every year we help injured workers recover millions of dollars in workers compensation benefits.  Contact us today for a FREE consultation.  There is never a fee to speak to our workers compensation experts.  Call 651-333-3636 today!  We have operators workers 24 hours/day 7 days/week ready to hep you speak with a real live attorney.

I Have A Minnesota Work Comp Injury And Now Have Pain That Won't Go Away. Is There Help?

Chronic pain and Minnesota workers compensation injuries; there is help!

Employers and insurance companies frequently disregard subjective complaints of pain and send people back to work without restriction. Unfortunately, this does not always tell the whole story.
Pain is a complicated issue in the context of a Minnesota Workers Compensation Injury. There is no magic test that can prove what a person is feeling. We see individuals who are told to go back to work even though they cannot tolerate the pain.

The best method to protect yourself with your work comp injury is to communicate openly with your doctor.  Our practice regularly sees new clients who needlessly suffer in pain because they do not know what options are available.  Frankly a lot of doctors simply pretend to be too busy to help injured workers suffering from chronic pain when the real reason is the subject of chronic pain is outside their expertise.

You are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care for your work injury. This includes hiring a pain specialist if necessary. This is especially true if you have been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) which is also referred to as complex regional pain syndrome.

If you cannot work, you may be entitled to temporary total disability wage loss benefits.  If you make less money than you did before your injury then you may be entitled to reimbursement for your wage loss through temporary partial disability.  The sooner you get appropriate medical care, the faster you can get back to work.

The attorneys at Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability work their clients in obtaining proper treatment with chronic pain doctors throughout Minnesota every week.  We are familiar with the Minnesota Workers Compensation protocol and procedures for chronic pain benefits and can help you obtain the help you need.  Contact our office today at 651-333-3636 or visit our website for more information www.mndisability.com  You are NEVER charged a fee unless we recover benefits for you.  Call today!