I was refused treatment by my doctor today

[skygazer]

I cut my hand at work. I was using a box cutter to open a case and it slipped and cut a deep gash into the side of my left hand (I was really pushing down on it when it slipped). It's about 2 inches long and maybe 1/4 inch deep - bled like crazy.

I threw about 5 butterfly closures on it and went back to work - it really wasn't a huge big deal to me but after work, I thought I'd go get it stitched since it will be hard to keep it closed with the work I do.

So I tell the nurse at the reception desk that I cut it and she asked how. I said box cutter and she said, "Oh, at work?" And without thinking, I said, "yes."

Well, my doctor will not treat Workman's Comp cases and although this is not any major thing, and it's not going to cause me to miss work or cost my employer anything, and although I have no desire to file a claim, they will not touch it. They won't even give me a tetanus shot! I said, "So when I get lockjaw, will you treat me then?" and I never did get a satisfactory answer.

No wonder people bitch about workman's comp! There's no reason to have to go through all that bullshit and in addition, my bonus at work is adversely affected if I do file a claim. So it's in my best interests not to file one, even if I do get injured on the job.

I have a suture set and I figure I'll pop a couple of stitches in it myself just to hold it together but it's not easy to stitch one handed which is why I was hoping to get someone else to do it. But I'm not going to the ER to sit around for 12 hours and I'm not going to San Jose in the pouring rain to sit around the Workman's Comp doc's office for 2 or 3 either. I'm going to sit by my fire and drink an Irish Coffee and operate on myself. And if I do get lockjaw, I'll be pissed!

[Maddy McCall]

1. Why don't you go to the ER--tell them you got hurt at work.

They HAVE to treat you.

[skygazer]

6. Because I just worked an 8 hour day

And I'm not going to sit around the ER for at least 4 or 5 hours before I'd even get seen. I'd rather do it myself. I'll go to a clinic and get a tetanus shot next week.

[supernova]

2. So, he didn't bother to refer you

to a Doc who does do Workman's Comp? What an asshole. Sounds like you still need a good stitch job.

[Sannum]

3. Ouch!

It sounds painful! Good Luck.

[crispini]

4. Oh, MAN, go to the Worker's Comp doc.

You wanna get that shit on record NOW in case it gets worse.

Take it from someone who went through partial disability on Worker's Comp.... you want to get all your records straight, now, and have them straight, in case something bad happens in the future.

JMHO! :)

[ConservativeDemocrat]

5. Don't be stupid.

Go to the ER if you have to.
Tetnus has a very high mortality rate.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[skygazer]

12. Oh, I'll get a tetanus shot

I'm not worried about that. I can pop into a clinic and get one without having to go through the whole Workman's Comp issue. It's just the way the system works that bugs me - it's made so complicated and ridiculous that it's easier for doctors to not bother treating WC cases and it's easier for the patient to just blow off treatment.

And, for the record, I'm NOT stupid.

[DELUSIONAL]

7. time to find a new doc

[coloradodem2005]

8. That is pretty stupid.

You think that He could have been more helpful. So much for the Hippocratic Oath.

[Rose Siding]

9. I've never worked for anyone like that

When someone got hurt at work, the boss made sure they got a ride to the doc.

Workman's comp is a good program but there will always be greedy people. Some of them will be bosses. It's too bad you feel your bonus is involved- he should be forced to use the program.

[skygazer]

14. Like most programs, though, it's full of waste and red tape

There's no reason I should have to file a claim for this injury. It's not any kind of serious injury. It's as much a pain in the ass for me as it is for the company.

I agree that it's stupid the way the company involves the bonus (and it's the company - my boss is great but it's a mega corporation and they'll do anything to screw the workers out of any money they can). I just think the system is screwy.

[Rose Siding]

18. I don't understand the aversion to forms

Your doctor is the one who wouldn't treat you. The program will cover you.

[skygazer]

20. It's not the forms

It's the fact that I have to go to the particular doctor who is contracted with my employer who is located in San Jose and completely inconvenient to where I am. It's the fact that I don't want to file a claim because it eats into my bonus and this isn't any kind of injury that I feel warrants that. It's the fact that I HAVE to and don't have any choice in the matter.

I don't care if the program will cover me or not. I know they will. I have no interest in being covered by it for this. What's to understand?

[Mika]

10. I do my own stitches too.

Of course, I get a fair amount of practice.

I hope you're OK.

If it wasn't a rusty blade, and you washed the cut, most likely you'll be fine.

[sbj405]

11. Definitely get the tetnus shot.

You should be able to get one anywhere. I don't have a regular doc and just called some random one and was able to get one. No office visit, just the shot.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. That doctor is an asshole...giving you emergency treatment does NOT

automatically involve him in a work comp claim..if you get lockjaw, then sue the fucker!

In the meantime...get betadine srub from the pharmacy and soak your unbandaged hand in it for a half hour to clean the wound out well..the bandage it

[oldschoolguy]

15. A small emergency clinic can fix it for you. I actually have

done something very similar at work (not anywhere near my job description--just a damn long story). I went to a emergency clinic and told them I cut it with a box-cutter while putting stuff away in my attic. Fixed it and shot me up in no time.

I actually called around until I found an emergency clinic with a small wait.

Or, just stitch it up yourself and call yourself one tough son of a bitch.

[skygazer]

17. I will choose option 2

But I'm no SON of a bitch - I'm one tough bitch and don't you forget it! :hi:

[puerco-bellies]

16. Instead of stitches try crazy glue.

[Calanus]

19. DO NOT TRY CRAZY GLUE!!

I don't know if your post was intended to be funny, but Crazy-glue's formula is dependent on methyl-methacrylate, the same industrial chemical that is used in acrylic nails, and can lead to a whole dictionary of severe medical problems if introduced into the bloodstream.

Do not, under any circumstances, use crazy glue, super glue, etc... for topical treatments or be in close proximity to any environment wherein they maybe be susceptible to atomizing or becoming vaporous.

[skygazer]

21. I don't know if it was a joke either

But I wasn't planning on trying it anyway. I have a fair enough medical background - used to work for a vet and raised a number of different animals, farmed. I can suture, I can do IM, SQ and IV injections, I've castrated pigs and tailed dogs. I know my first aid and I know when an injury is serious and when it's not. The only reason I wanted the damn stitches is to hold it together while I work. I don't know why they have to make it so complicated. Oh, well - I was kind of wanting to try out the suture set anyway!