Beth S.
5/5
It's hard to put in words how incredibly grateful and thankful I am for Matt Fendon. I sustained a very serious neck injury at work and really, really didn't want to "lawyer up". I spent 4 month misdiagnosed w/a shoulder injury, the insurance company (IC) refused my request for a 2nd opinion. Eventually, I was allowed to see a Pain Management doctor (PMD)...after the shoulder specialist admitted that he didn't know what was wrong; as I was supposed to be "fully healed" in 3 months, but still in excruciating pain after that timeframe.
At my first PMD visit she said "I'm 95% sure it's your neck. 100% it isn't your shoulder". She was right. I was crushed. Once that was confirmed, IC approve dang near every non-surgical procedures in an attempt to avoid the huge cost of surgery on THREE vertebrae! After months of being poked, prodded and plied with medication IC finally allowed a consultation with a neck surgeon. He advocated to move forward with surgery, being the only true solution to fix the damage Before the the IC would approve it I had to be examined by an IME; which apparently is a normal part of the process, but weird considering all the doctors I'd been examined by were their doctors. When I read the IME's reviews it was abundantly clear that his job was to deny high cost procedures. I tried working with IC regarding the IME, but my reasonable requests were denied. This was my breaking point.
Thankfully, about a month prior, I had researched lawyers in preparation for this worst case scenerio. In my (ridiculously thorough) research on AZ WC lawyers I came across Matt Fendon Law Group and when I spoke with Matt I instantly knew he was who I'd want to represent me if necessary. He was so patient in listening to the details of my situation; which was so appreciated as he knew I was at a point where I was trying to avoid getting a lawyer unless I had to. In turn, he explained how representation works (I've never hired a lawyer before): fee structure, services his practice provides, petition options for various aspects of the system, etc. And he finished with something along the lines of, "I know you need time to decide if this is the route you want to take. I'm not a used car salesman, I won't harass you with calls, but I will place you in the system as a client I would like to represent, so if you do call we will be ready to help you". This statement was so honorable to me....and he was true to his word! About a month later was when I determined in order to get the surgery I NEEDED I had to hire a professional to guide me through this totally complicated/corrupt system. I'd handled it on my own for far too long. Incredibly, Matt successfully fought to have surgery approved and was under the knife about a month after him taking on my case.
The decision to obtain legal representation was the best decision I've made in this mess. Since the surgery, so many things have come up that would have totally overwhelmed me without his guidance. He has expressed a genuine concern for my mental wellbeing and given me hope that it could be an area covered by WC. These mental health struggles have been documented by at least 2 of their doctors and completely ignored.
Currently, IC is pushing to close my case, even though I continue to have nerve pain from a nerve that was smashed in my neck for the 8 months IC tried to avoid paying for surgery. This damage still causes significant pain in my right shoulder and at times makes my right arm and hand go numb...7 month post surgery. MFLG is now fighting to get me get continued care and treatment for the damaged nerve; which I hope and pray can even be fixed. I can't even fathom living with nerve pain for the rest of my life. While there are no promises that it is even fixable, I will at least have the peace of mind that we tried everything possible to fix it.
Most importantly, Matt has helped me to get my "fight" back. I was so beat down after trying to work alone with the IC for 6/7 months, now I feel like I can stand up for myself again because I have someone who has my back.
