Retrieve Physical Therapy · Rochester, NY · Direct-to-Employer MSK Triage
When an Employee Gets Hurt —
Know Exactly What to Do
You're an HR, safety, or operations leader — not a medical professional. But when someone on your team reports pain or gets injured, the decision lands on you. The wrong move costs thousands. This tool walks you through what to do, when to act, and how to keep a small complaint from becoming a six-figure workers' comp claim.
No referral needed · NY Direct Access
Pre-claim PT saves up to 60% on costs
24-hr response · Rochester & all of NYS
Quick Safety Check
Before anything else — check if any of these apply to the employee right now. No medical background needed. Just read each one and check if it fits.
✓
New bladder or bowel problemTrouble starting to pee, can't hold it, or had an accident — and this is NEW, not something they've always had
✓
Numbness "down there"Can't feel their groin, inner thighs, or buttocks — like the seat they're sitting on is numb. This is NEW.
✓
Both legs suddenly weak or giving outBoth legs feel heavy, keep buckling, or they're stumbling — started suddenly or getting worse fast
✓
Feeling sick — not just in painFever, chills, or night sweats alongside the pain — OR recently had surgery, a skin infection, dental procedure, or IV treatment
✓
Neck pain + dizziness, double vision, or trouble speakingNeck pain combined with: dizziness, seeing double, trouble swallowing, slurred speech, or sudden nausea
✓
There was a clear incident — fall, trip, twist, collision, or impactSomething specific happened — a slip, fall, hit, or awkward movement. Not just soreness that built up over time.
One more question — does ANY of this apply right now?
✓
Pain is 8 out of 10 or higher — and they can't use or bear weight on the injured area
✓
Open wound, active bleeding, or something looks visibly wrong (deformed, crooked, swelled up immediately)
✓
Head was hit, they blacked out, or their neck was involved in the impact
✅ Sounds manageable — PT triage is the right call
A twisted ankle, sprained knee, or soft tissue strain is exactly what PT triage is built for. Early guidance on movement, ice/heat, and expectations cuts recovery time and downstream costs significantly — even before a formal visit.
Not Appropriate for PT Triage Right Now
Based on what's been checked, this complaint needs in-person medical evaluation before PT-led triage is the right next step. Follow your company's injury reporting protocol and get the employee appropriate care.
Document the incident and time. Once the employee has been evaluated and cleared, Retrieve PT can coordinate PT follow-up and return-to-work support.
Call Dr. Fose after the acute phase: (585) 488-6688 · retrievept.com
Also worth mentioning on the triage call:
History of cancer with new unexplained pain · Unexplained weight loss of 10+ lbs · Deep aching pain at night that doesn't change with position — flag these and we'll address them on the call.
✅ None of the above — or it's a manageable incident
This is appropriate for PT-led triage. Continue to tell us more about the complaint.
About the Complaint
These answers help Dr. Fose triage quickly on the call. Be as specific as you can.
1 — How did this start?
2 — Where is the pain?
3 — How long has this been going on?
4 — What makes it better or worse?
5 — Has this happened before?
6 — Is the employee working right now?
7 — Anything else? (optional)
What This Costs You
Based on what you've described, here's the real cost difference between the two paths.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Total Case Cost
Typical Path
PT-First
OSHA / NSC avg per MSK injury · Retrieve PT internal data
Average Days Lost / Restricted
Typical Path
PT-First
Wang et al. WC timing study — 26,000 claims
Opioid Prescription Risk
Typical Path
PT-First
Wang et al. — PT delayed >30 days vs. <3 days
WC Claim Opened
Typical Path
PT-First
Childs et al. BMC 2015 — n=753,450
View Evidence Sources
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Book Your Triage Call
A virtual triage call with Dr. Stephen Fose, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT. Fee for service — payment required to confirm your slot. Response guaranteed within 24 hours.
🩺
Dr. Stephen Fose, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT
This information goes directly to Dr. Fose. You'll receive a response within 24 hours — guaranteed.
📋 What You Should Know First
NY STATE
No referral needed. Under New York State direct access law, a physical therapist can evaluate and treat employees for up to 30 days without a physician's order. You do not need to wait for a doctor's appointment to get care started.
30 DAYS
The pre-claim window is now. The same 30 days where early PT cuts costs by 60% is also the window where direct access applies. Acting now — before a WC claim is filed — is both legal and the best clinical decision.
IF WC FILED
Even if a claim is eventually filed, any early PT the employee received improves their outcome. Research consistently shows faster recovery, fewer complications, and lower total costs when PT starts early — regardless of what happens with the claim later.
Important — Please Read
Once a Workers' Compensation claim has been formally filed and accepted, Retrieve Physical Therapy cannot provide treatment for that specific reported injury under the WC system without formal WC authorization. This triage service is a pre-claim, fee-for-service engagement. If a WC claim is already open for this injury, please disclose that on the call.
✓
I have read and understand the above. No WC claim has been filed for this injury, or if one has, I will disclose that on the call.
Supervisor / HR Contact
Employee Information
Best Time for the Video Call
⚡ As soon as possible
📅 Specific time works better
What Happens on the Call
01
Dr. Fose reviews what you submitted — pain vs. injury classification, location, duration, work status.
02
A few follow-up questions — he may ask to speak briefly with the employee too.
03
Clear action plan — stay at work, modified duty, virtual PT, or in-person visit. Timeline and expected outcome included.
04
Fee-for-service model — transparent pricing, no surprise bills, no WC claim opened unless truly necessary.
This tool is for informational and triage-support purposes only. It does not constitute a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Always use clinical judgment and follow OSHA reporting requirements. Retrieve Physical Therapy · Dr. Stephen Fose, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT · (585) 488-6688 · retrievept.com
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