Medical Help for Officer Tim Putney
Donation protected
Please watch the following stories from local local new outlets sharing Officer Putney’s Story:
Texomas HomePage - Channel 3
Story News Channel 6 One Story
from News Channel 6
Photos of Officer Putney before his on the job injury serving for the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Falls Police Department:
Officer Tim Putney is a 33 year old Wichita Falls Police Officer who has given 10 years of his life serving our community in Law Enforcement, through the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy and K9 Deputy and then transferred over to the Wichita Falls Police Department where he is still employed.
On July 11, 2017, his life was forever changed when an altercation caused severe nerve damage to his lower back and right leg. He now permanently walks with his right foot twisted to the side and with a heavy limp. He cannot feel his right foot and trips and falls daily. After being placed on light duty, he was taken off after being seen as a risk when he continued to fall down the stairs.
Here is his story that has been released to fellow Officers:
"On July 11th, 2017 I was dispatched to a disturbance where a juvenile was threatening harm to his grandmother. I arrived on scene and there were two adult males on top of the juvenile holding him down. Once the two adult males realized I was on scene they got off of the juvenile before I could place handcuffs on him. I tried to detain him but he fought and began kicking me on my right leg. After being kicked several times I lost my balance and fell backwards onto the curb. My lower back is what struck the curb with the juvenile on top of me still.
Due to the time of the call being at shift change and patrol being short handed, I responded to the call alone. Once backup arrived the juvenile continued to fight and attempted to take the backup officers tazer from him.
I immediately went to the hospital and was later admitted to the hospital. I was released on July 13th that afternoon. The hospital diagnosed me with a contusion of the lower back. I went that day to the industrial meds doctor at the clinics of north Texas. Dr. Wolinski recommended I go to a neurosurgeon because of me not having feeling in my foot and told me and my wife that the MRI was not read correctly. I was seen by Dr. Bruck at the Carrell clinic from July 19th through August 14th, Dr. Bruck requested several times for a new MRI and re read which all request were denied. I started Physical Therapy on August 17th through September 28th and completed 7 sessions but had to quit because it was making the pain worse and not helping at all. At this point Dr. Bruck was not thrilled with the way Edwards Risk Management was denying everything he requested and recommended I go to a Doctor who is familiar with the workers compensation circus.
On September 28th I was see for the first time by Dr. James in Southlake Texas. Dr. James used the same MRI that was taken at United Regional and said he could see where there were bulging disk and the nerve roots were damaged which is why I have no feeling in my foot. Dr. James requested a Mylogroam because he figured workers comp would want a more in depth picture of what is wrong. Dr. James has requested a MRI and Mylogram since my first visit. Edwards Claim has denied every one of them.
Dr. James recommended I start seeing a pain management doctor and get epidural steroid injects. After being denied multiple times they were finally approved and I had them on December 14th. The injections helped and gave me relief for 10 days which is a sign that I need surgery. December 14th is the last time I received any form of treatment at all and have been denied any procedures or surgeries since.
After my injections the city stopped paying for treatment and the doctors quit seeing me. Because of this my attorney request a designated doctor exam which is an unbiased doctor who evaluates me and works for the state. The doctor recommended surgery in his report and said I was injured and need treatment. On February 15th 2018 I had a "Benefits Review Hearing". At the hearing it was ruled by an arbitrator that I could be treated for the injury which was great news that something could get done. Since the hearing the City has denied every form of treatment which was ordered that I could receive.
The City then appealed the ruling and requested I have a Required Medical Exam which is a doctor of the city's choice. I was seen by Dr. Doores who is a plastic surgeon and has no history of treating anyone for the spine. I was informed by my attorney that the doctor would be favorable to the city and not be truthful. I was also told that if all possible record the visit because he is known to lie on his documents. Well the report came back on Wednesday the 25th of April and he recommended I be return to work with no restrictions and that I was FAKING the injury.
I recorded the visit and have video proof that he lied on the documents. Since July 19th I have had 22 doctor visits and over 5,300 miles traveled. By law the city is to reimburse me for travel anything over 75 miles. They have 45 days to issue me a reimbursement check for travel. I have taken the forms to be faxed to risk management and have asked James Little to fax them to Edwards claim for me and he has said that isn't my responsibility its yours and wouldn't do it. Edwards Risk management waits until the 45th day to say they haven't received my fax and I have to show proof I sent the fax with confirmation and then they will send me a check.
The mayor told Chelsea last night that we could either drop our attorney and get this thing moving along or sue the city, people do it everyday. The only reason I have an attorney is to help file the paperwork that is required and assist me with Edwards claim. I have no active lawsuit towards the city and i'm not after money and just want to be fixed and have my surgery."
As you can see by reading his version of the story and by the meticulous records he has kept, he has been denied proper treatment too many times. He is progressively getting worse, day by day and can no long play with his 4 year old son or pick him up. He is physically and emotionally drained trying to get the help he needs while being in constant pain.
The other great thing Officer Putney did was undercover recorded the “Doctor” the City of Wichita Falls required him to see. This “Doctor” is a 1 Star rated Plastic Surgeon out of DFW who obviously is not an expert on Back and Nerve Damage. Tim will be able to release this video soon! We continue to wonder why Tim was required to see a Plastic Surgeon instead of a Nerve and Back Expert. Why are we not providing the best for our First Responders?
Please make sure you are following all of Officer Putney’s story on Facebook, News Channel 6, Texoma’s HomePage Channel 3, and the Times Record News.
We have been actively and aggressively fighting for the City of Wichita Falls to do the right thing and assist Officer Putney with his medical bills, prescription costs, reimbursed trips to DFW and getting him payed accurately and on time. We have also been reaching out to our State Government including: Rep James Frank, Senator Craig Estes and possible incoming State Senator Pat Fallon, Lt, Governor Dan Patrick and Governor Greg Abbott and would like to encourage anyone and everyone to do the same! Our First Responders deserve proper medical attention for the sacrifice and service they give our communities every day.
We are starting this gofundme account to help Tim with his $200 a week Lawyer expenses from having to hire a Lawyer who specializes in Workers Comp Claims, his pay decrease due to be placed on Medical Leave and his inability to work side jobs that helped to supplement his income like the majority of Law Enforcement Officers have to do.
Please help Officer Putney, his wife Chelsea, his 14 year old daughter Abby and his 4 year old son Myles in any way you are able to - getting the word out, sharing with State or City Reps, donating anything you can and especially praying for the right outcome for Officer Putney and that he quickly receives the surgery that he so desperately needs.
If he does not receive his surgery, that he should have had months ago, he is at risk of permanent nerve damage or a paralyzed leg.
What’s RIGHT IS RIGHT, and the way Officer Putney has been treated, is WRONG!
We appreciate your help and support!
Texomas HomePage - Channel 3
Story News Channel 6 One Story
from News Channel 6
Photos of Officer Putney before his on the job injury serving for the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Falls Police Department:
Officer Tim Putney is a 33 year old Wichita Falls Police Officer who has given 10 years of his life serving our community in Law Enforcement, through the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy and K9 Deputy and then transferred over to the Wichita Falls Police Department where he is still employed.
On July 11, 2017, his life was forever changed when an altercation caused severe nerve damage to his lower back and right leg. He now permanently walks with his right foot twisted to the side and with a heavy limp. He cannot feel his right foot and trips and falls daily. After being placed on light duty, he was taken off after being seen as a risk when he continued to fall down the stairs.
Here is his story that has been released to fellow Officers:
"On July 11th, 2017 I was dispatched to a disturbance where a juvenile was threatening harm to his grandmother. I arrived on scene and there were two adult males on top of the juvenile holding him down. Once the two adult males realized I was on scene they got off of the juvenile before I could place handcuffs on him. I tried to detain him but he fought and began kicking me on my right leg. After being kicked several times I lost my balance and fell backwards onto the curb. My lower back is what struck the curb with the juvenile on top of me still.
Due to the time of the call being at shift change and patrol being short handed, I responded to the call alone. Once backup arrived the juvenile continued to fight and attempted to take the backup officers tazer from him.
I immediately went to the hospital and was later admitted to the hospital. I was released on July 13th that afternoon. The hospital diagnosed me with a contusion of the lower back. I went that day to the industrial meds doctor at the clinics of north Texas. Dr. Wolinski recommended I go to a neurosurgeon because of me not having feeling in my foot and told me and my wife that the MRI was not read correctly. I was seen by Dr. Bruck at the Carrell clinic from July 19th through August 14th, Dr. Bruck requested several times for a new MRI and re read which all request were denied. I started Physical Therapy on August 17th through September 28th and completed 7 sessions but had to quit because it was making the pain worse and not helping at all. At this point Dr. Bruck was not thrilled with the way Edwards Risk Management was denying everything he requested and recommended I go to a Doctor who is familiar with the workers compensation circus.
On September 28th I was see for the first time by Dr. James in Southlake Texas. Dr. James used the same MRI that was taken at United Regional and said he could see where there were bulging disk and the nerve roots were damaged which is why I have no feeling in my foot. Dr. James requested a Mylogroam because he figured workers comp would want a more in depth picture of what is wrong. Dr. James has requested a MRI and Mylogram since my first visit. Edwards Claim has denied every one of them.
Dr. James recommended I start seeing a pain management doctor and get epidural steroid injects. After being denied multiple times they were finally approved and I had them on December 14th. The injections helped and gave me relief for 10 days which is a sign that I need surgery. December 14th is the last time I received any form of treatment at all and have been denied any procedures or surgeries since.
After my injections the city stopped paying for treatment and the doctors quit seeing me. Because of this my attorney request a designated doctor exam which is an unbiased doctor who evaluates me and works for the state. The doctor recommended surgery in his report and said I was injured and need treatment. On February 15th 2018 I had a "Benefits Review Hearing". At the hearing it was ruled by an arbitrator that I could be treated for the injury which was great news that something could get done. Since the hearing the City has denied every form of treatment which was ordered that I could receive.
The City then appealed the ruling and requested I have a Required Medical Exam which is a doctor of the city's choice. I was seen by Dr. Doores who is a plastic surgeon and has no history of treating anyone for the spine. I was informed by my attorney that the doctor would be favorable to the city and not be truthful. I was also told that if all possible record the visit because he is known to lie on his documents. Well the report came back on Wednesday the 25th of April and he recommended I be return to work with no restrictions and that I was FAKING the injury.
I recorded the visit and have video proof that he lied on the documents. Since July 19th I have had 22 doctor visits and over 5,300 miles traveled. By law the city is to reimburse me for travel anything over 75 miles. They have 45 days to issue me a reimbursement check for travel. I have taken the forms to be faxed to risk management and have asked James Little to fax them to Edwards claim for me and he has said that isn't my responsibility its yours and wouldn't do it. Edwards Risk management waits until the 45th day to say they haven't received my fax and I have to show proof I sent the fax with confirmation and then they will send me a check.
The mayor told Chelsea last night that we could either drop our attorney and get this thing moving along or sue the city, people do it everyday. The only reason I have an attorney is to help file the paperwork that is required and assist me with Edwards claim. I have no active lawsuit towards the city and i'm not after money and just want to be fixed and have my surgery."
As you can see by reading his version of the story and by the meticulous records he has kept, he has been denied proper treatment too many times. He is progressively getting worse, day by day and can no long play with his 4 year old son or pick him up. He is physically and emotionally drained trying to get the help he needs while being in constant pain.
The other great thing Officer Putney did was undercover recorded the “Doctor” the City of Wichita Falls required him to see. This “Doctor” is a 1 Star rated Plastic Surgeon out of DFW who obviously is not an expert on Back and Nerve Damage. Tim will be able to release this video soon! We continue to wonder why Tim was required to see a Plastic Surgeon instead of a Nerve and Back Expert. Why are we not providing the best for our First Responders?
Please make sure you are following all of Officer Putney’s story on Facebook, News Channel 6, Texoma’s HomePage Channel 3, and the Times Record News.
We have been actively and aggressively fighting for the City of Wichita Falls to do the right thing and assist Officer Putney with his medical bills, prescription costs, reimbursed trips to DFW and getting him payed accurately and on time. We have also been reaching out to our State Government including: Rep James Frank, Senator Craig Estes and possible incoming State Senator Pat Fallon, Lt, Governor Dan Patrick and Governor Greg Abbott and would like to encourage anyone and everyone to do the same! Our First Responders deserve proper medical attention for the sacrifice and service they give our communities every day.
We are starting this gofundme account to help Tim with his $200 a week Lawyer expenses from having to hire a Lawyer who specializes in Workers Comp Claims, his pay decrease due to be placed on Medical Leave and his inability to work side jobs that helped to supplement his income like the majority of Law Enforcement Officers have to do.
Please help Officer Putney, his wife Chelsea, his 14 year old daughter Abby and his 4 year old son Myles in any way you are able to - getting the word out, sharing with State or City Reps, donating anything you can and especially praying for the right outcome for Officer Putney and that he quickly receives the surgery that he so desperately needs.
If he does not receive his surgery, that he should have had months ago, he is at risk of permanent nerve damage or a paralyzed leg.
What’s RIGHT IS RIGHT, and the way Officer Putney has been treated, is WRONG!
We appreciate your help and support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Edwards
Organizer
Wichita Falls, TX
Chelsea Putney
Beneficiary
