Workers comp...advice from those who've dealt with it.

[Graves]

I wound up with a couple herniated discs at work last year due to an accident and I've been out on comp. After countless tests, procedures, PT, and the chiropractor nothing has turned up (that the insurance is willing to pay for) to get me back to full recovery and now I'm more than likely going to have to leave the field I've spent almost half my life in as the company doctor informed me that I'll be getting an MMI rating (permanent restrictions) next month. Initially I had a few people tell me to lawyer up ASAP, but I figured I didn't want to complicate things and I was young enough to go just go get patched up and sent back to work. Needless to say, it turned out to be not so simple. I doubt I'll be able to walk into an entirely different field and earn what I did before, so there's that, I'll likely go back to school and figure it out. I just want to know from those of you with personal experience in this matter, would getting an attorney at this point be at all beneficial? Is it too late for that? Any career change in your 30's suggestions? Without HEAVY lifting lol. Any advice appreciated.

[TheGrey]

Get an attorney. A real junkyard dog type.

Seriously.

Find one that will provide an hour's consultation for free, and bring every scrap of paper and every bit of documentation (emails, names of people you're dealing with, calendars with your Dr.'s appointments, everything) in case they have questions. But for the love of little green apples, get an attorney. I don't know if it's too late. There are possibilities the lawyer may have, but you did yourself no favors by delaying.

The good news is that many, many people delay getting an attorney. There may be work-arounds.

Don't go with a "family friend" lawyer, either. Go with one that specializes in worker's comp. If you haven't started keeping notes, do so now. And listen to your doctor, your employer's doctor, and whoever else may be listing restrictions.

[thebolt]

Get an attorney (ASAP) before they close your case by providing you with an impairment rating. It is not too late at this point and you need someone to fight for you on your end.

Workman comp is not your friend.

[copfish]

As others have said, get a good W/C attorney. I spent 18 months screwing with the Company's W/C doc. Good guy, but works for the company/insurance company. Their job is to minimize the financial impact to the company.

[Bailey Guns]

The best advice I can give you has already been given.

I just went thru this a couple of years ago with a shoulder injured at work. Everything was denied...everything...for the first 6 months. They finally took care of the problem but it took an attorney getting involved and the threat of much larger lawsuit.

I also hurt my back in the early 90s on a drill weekend with the Air Guard. I, too, thought it would just pass with time and get better. It didn't and it causes me constant pain now, 20-something years later. I'm trying to work up the nerve to see a VA benefits advisor.

[Wulf202]

Get an attorney and a second opinion from a private doc.

Been there. Have the rating.

[newracer]

My wife works for a work comp defense law firm. The whole process is very regulated. Getting an attorney is very good advise and no its not too late. Just remember they will take a large portion of the claim, I think it is capped at 30%.

[Great-Kazoo]

Get an attorney (ASAP) before they close your case by providing you with an impairment rating. It is not too late at this point and you need someone to fight for you on your end.

Workman comp is not your friend.

Until you sign any final settlement check. The case is still open.

[beast556]

Get an attorney asap. Was in an accident workmans comp was all games and finger pointing till i got an attorney.

[Wulf202]

Also don't waste any settlement you get. Find a way to make it work for you.