I would like to suggest a better way to apply for Disability Benefits. 4 years ago I had an accident that I should have been back to work after 6 weeks from surgery but thanks to what was going on during Covid things were being suppressed within the emergency rooms. The hospital called for the Surgeon on call who came the next afternoon to perform my surgery. We were not able to speak or meet with him before the surgery took place so once the surgery was completed he went to meet with my husband to tell him what took place he told my husband he had some difficulties but we thought it would okay. 2 weeks later I went to the Dr’s office for a two week check and an X-ray . I was told that the radial head had already fallen out of place and needed to go back into surgery . On the 2 nd surgery he placed the radial head back into placement and I had a plate repairing the ulna bone that I had broken and the Dr added another plate across the ulna to the radial bone now locking both bones. The next morning my hand was 2 and half times it normal size so we called the doctors office and my husband told him of my concern that all the anesthesia had worn off now but I had no feeling in my pinky, and ring finger and my hand feels numb. The Dr was off so I had to see the PA who was concerned that I just wanted more drugs but I explained I hadn’t taken any of the pain meds, and that was not what I was asking for I was worried about the numbness in my hand and fingers. He said if I was going to continue complaining I may need to see pain management which I refuted so I made an appt to see my Dr the next week. When he saw my hand he said he was concerned about all the swelling and suggested that I go to see a specialist therapist in regards to the swelling. It took over 30 appointments to get all the swelling out of my hand. On my return back to see the surgeon I asked him about when was I going to be able to feel my fingers and hand again he said we would look into that after a bout 6 months of healing. 2 weeks later at my appt to see the Dr for my elbow and arm, hand to be checked he told my husband and I he had some bad news that unfortunately I was going to be disable. We were both shocked I just sat there crying asking why what happened we could tell he was uncomfortable with the whole conversation he said he was going to speak with his partner and get back with us. He never called after a week so we called the office and we were told he was no longer working there. My husband and I called my brother who was an er nurse in La and said to go see Dr Eric George in La he’s the best with hands. I went to get a second opinion and he also had a nerve test to see what the nerves were up to. He called and said I would need surgery immediately my nerves were not registering and he needed to remove all the hardware that was put in my arm. Well now it’s been 4 years and 9 surgeries I still cannot feel my hand and fingers and can not turn my arm I have very limited use of it. I ended up with a total elbow replacement because the first Dr had over-reamed the bone that the radial head was to be screwed into which caused me to have the largest radial head which was too big and prevented me from turning my arm the radial head was so large it was breaking the remaining bones surrounding it. Before the accident I had just gone through all the training and school and had already taken my exam and passed my State Fire Marshal Test I was working for the Division of Financial Serv’s in Florida as a State Fire Marshal I loved my job, but my Dr said I was not going to be able to use my arm any longer or I would need to have it amputated at some point. I was damaging the bones trying to use it. I have had over a million dollars in surgeries and over 300 physical/occupational therapy appt.’s, I was told to resign from my position. I filed for disability 2 years ago still have not been approved even though my elbow surgeon from Tulane has said I’m 100 % disable. I keep calling Social Security but with no answers why I haven’t been approved I have had to use all my 401 K money to pay for my Cobra Ins. that’s all gone now and I’m still waiting I was told at the local social security office that they were informed to deny all applications for disability since the Biden/Harris administration. All I am saying is that I’m in my 60’s I have been working full time since I was 14 years old and it makes me sick and angry when I hear about all the money and benefits being giving to illegal immigrants. I believe that we the people who have contributed all our life to the government at least deserve an answer. I was calling every couple of weeks to check but they we’re getting annoyed so I have stopped calling and was trying to be patient but I think this Department needs to be Fixed I am stressed with all the money the surgeries have cost and I still have a lot to pay on these surgeries and at some point I may need it amputated. Please Help At Least Get This Department working Properly.
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The Dr that did the initial surgery has had several mal practice cases but because he works through the hospital his mal practice ins is paid through the hospital. If the Dr accepts responsibility for the failed surgery he can go to mediation/ arbitration and the hospital eventually settles the mal practice case but nothing goes against the Dr this is crazy I know for a fact my Dr had several mal practice cases and really it needs to be reported and kept in records we can’t continue to let Bad Drs keep operating on people and continue to disable people I don’t deserve it and I carry a very deep pain that he out there operating on people and does not know what he is doing. He told my husband and I he had no idea how to fix my arm. I assume when you go to the ER that they call the best Surgeon for the fractures you have broken to come in to operate on you. I will never assume again! Please I would love to help fix some of these issues!
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