Probably so, but he said this happened when he was working for Circuit City. Since they folded, there's no one left to sue...and he also mentioned that he got a sizeable settlement, so his rights to sue are most likely already signed away.
NORMALLY, work comp is supposed to help the injured worker return as close to his pre-injury status as possible...or compensate him for the loss of earning potential.
My docs have told me that surgery won't "fix" me, and to learn to live on pain meds...<shrug> There's no "returning to pre-injury condition" for me either, so eventually, I should get a sizeable settlement for this injury.
I'm very surprised that his doctors said they couldn't/wouldn't do the disk decompression surgery under his work comp...unless it was determined that the cause was something other than the work injury. He SHOULD HAVE gotten a lawyer immediately after the injury. (first, go to the doctor, second, find a GOOD work comp lawyer to help protect your rights.)