Workers Compensation and use of PTO

I have been forced to use over 200 consecutive hours of accrued PTO time after filing a Workers Comp Claim. This is primarily due to delays of the WC process such as waiting for Authorization, scheduling DR appointments, etc.

Our Employee Handbook only has the following statements as taken from various sections of our handbook that appear to be related to the use of PTO and WC.

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off may be taken at any time during the year, subject to supervisory approval, and may only be taken up to –40 hours, not to exceed the annual maximum accrual.

Unpaid Time Off

With the exception of Military Leave, employees are required to use available PTO for absences and leaves. Once all available PTO has been exhausted (up to –40 hours), an employee may request unpaid time off.

Leaves of Absence

With the exception of Military Leave, or as otherwise required by law, employees must use available PTO prior to taking unpaid leave.

Workers Compensation

XXX reserves the right, when applicable, to designate workers compensation time off as FMLA leave.

All Paid Time Off must be taken prior to taking unpaid FMLA.

Please help me...this policy seems contradictory and unfairly applied.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated