The medical literature provides evidence that with appropriate treatment most claimants of motor vehicle accidents and work-related musculoskeletal injuries return to work to pre-accident job duties without unexpected delay (≤90 days). However, an important percentage of these claimants experience unusually prolonged recovery which is disproportionate to the objective clinical findings.  The medical literature provides evidence that <25% of all workers compensation claims accounts for >95% of the total cost. It has also been concluded that these high-cost claims start out as minor musculoskeletal injuries and end up in prolonged stay away from work without objective pathology.

 

The process of induced disability starts early when treating physicians focus on alleviation of symptoms rather than improvement of functional level and prescribe more time off from work.  The medical literature provides evidence that the probability of ever returning to work decrease to 50% if the claimant has been off work for 90 days. Unfortunately, for further assessments of these non-surgical claimants, workers compensation boards, disability management companies, and independent medical evaluation providers engage orthopedic surgeons who are not formally trained in delayed recovery and disability assessment and management. Operating in the traditional medical model, they further prolong recovery and create barriers to returning to work. These practices may finally strengthen the sick role leading to chronic disability.

 

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialists at IOMC are the ultimate experts in the prevention and management of delayed recovery and chronic disability among the claimants of musculoskeletal injuries in insurance and workers compensation claims. Using the evidence based model for delayed recovery and disability, they assess all three pillars of identity and facilitate quick recovery and early return to work.

 

Please contact IOMC for more information and to arrange any of the following services.

• Return to Work Program for Work-Related MSK Injuries Claims
• Disability Prevention and Management Program for Insurance Claims
• Disability Prevention and Management Program for Workers Compensation Claims
• Independent Medical Evaluation for Delayed Recovery Claims
• File Review for Delayed Recovery Claims