I have been on STD since 9/07. My employer fired me after 12 weeks due to the fact that I did not return to work with a signed doctor's release. I still do not have a doctor's release. In 9/07, a psychiatrist put me on some strong medication and signed me out of work. Due to insurance issues, he did not follow up with me. I ended up in the hospital for 10 days in December. The doctor I met with each day in the hospital has not signed a release for me to return to work nor has he provided information to the STD company so that my STD extension can be approved. Where can I go for help? I cannot file for unemployment because I am on STD, I cannot get the STD extension approved without the doctor's help, I cannot afford to see another doctor because I have not been paid.

Talk to the doctor and or hospital about the paperwork. Someone should be able to complete the forms to state that you are ill and need to be off work. They may be reluctant to complete the forms if they have not seen you in a month as conditions can and do change greatly. Who is treating you currently? If no one, that is going to be problematic. The STD carrier is not going to take your word for it that you still can not work.

In any event, it was legal to let you go after 12 weeks.

Part of my problem is that I cannot get the doctor to respond to me. The hospital is also waiting for the doctor to approve release of my medical records to me. Who can I go to for help? I hate to start over with another doctor; but, I need help. It just does not seem right that two psychiatrists have been so unconcerned about my health. I am not an expert. I trust them to help me and both have simply asked if I wanted pills (one gave me medication, the other took me off the pills); but, neither has given me a plan of action to get better. I don't know whether I need pills or not, I just know I have to get better so that I can get back to work and on with my life. I have had suicidal thoughts for over three months and with one attempt and a 10-day hospital stay you would think someone would be willing to help me. Should I go to another hospital? Is there not an obligation on the doctor's behalf to help a patient?

Whether the doctor should treat you or not is a question outside employment law. Logic dictates that if that practicioner won't see you and has barely treated you, you need to find someone else.