Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the Forum, but very impressed at the amount of info every one shares. My mediation popped up suddenly! I had trial scheduled for next week.
I am in Oklahoma. Have a back injury that I have been dealing with since 2003. My back is so bad, all I can do now is pain management. Three disk's have collapsed injury was to L4,L5. This has went for so long I am no longer able to have surgery. I also have DDD, osteoporosis.and have developed Chronic Pain Syndrome,pain levels stay at 8 on a good day.
My question is what do I need to know about Mediation and what I should make sure I do.
Called my Attorney today, he said " Don't worry sweetie " I have everything in order. We will get this settled tomorrow.
Any thing or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Still in Limbo;
Thank you so much for your reply.We sat in mediation room for 4 hours and never even came close to addressing a settlement. Their offer was laughable! So now I prepare for trial. Any input on how this will go is appreciated. I hurt so bad I can't imagine an all day court battle.
What are some of the things I might face, or questions I need to prepare for.
Again Oklahoma seems to be so difficult, and even more so since I am up against a Hospital. Thanks in advance.
lj72650

Whatever you do lj, "Stick to your guns" and fight for what you really deserve....not what they want to give you.

Good Luck, Lilly

Thank you Lilly. Mediation went bad, so next is trial. I needed to hear your words of encouragement. My mom has passed but her name was Lilly also, maybe a good thing! I have been fighting for 6 years, and I will not back down. I may not get what I feel is fair, but hope it helps someone that is thinking about giving up, DON'T!
LJ

Hi again,

Can you fill us in on what happened? Maybe elaborate a bit as to what 'went bad' in the mediation? I'm so sorry it didn't go better for you.

Lilly

Dont ever give up...one of the things hanging up the works is you are grandfathered under the old system.... lucky you I was also.....and the IC hates it.... stay strong

Lilly Wrote:Hi again,

Can you fill us in on what happened? Maybe elaborate a bit as to what 'went bad' in the mediation? I'm so sorry it didn't go better for you.

Lilly

Hi Lilly,

I was injured working for a Hospital. I had my first injury 7/03 and they released me back to work, my back continued to hurt, but I worked because I had to. I was told probably my age didn't help! I was injured really bad 3/04.
This time the pain was so bad, that I wasn't going to take a muscle relaxer and take 3 days off. The EH nurse said this is not a WC injury! I told her she had no idea what IT was, because they had done an MRI or CT. Then I asked
to see a real Doctor and to have an MRI.
I have fought since then. It took 2years to get medication. My pain level is at 8-9 everyday. They waited all this time to treat my back, now surgery is not an option. I finally have pain management.I take alot of pain meds antidepression,RLS meds, muscle pain medsfor all over pain to sleep
After all this time,Trial was set a few weeks ago. They called for Mediation 2 days before my trial.
My Attorney told me I was due a 3 figure settlement and we were not going to settle for less.
At mediation they offered me $20,000 to settle with no future medical, no pain management. My medication runs $1,000 a mo. I say No! Second offer after waiting on them with mediator for 3 more hours. They come back with 35,000, again no medical- just please go away!!!
So we walked! Mediator told me,worse case senario at trial, will be $240 a wk-- until they can find me work that will accomidate my medication, and they pay $1,000 a mo for my meds. They also think that I can be weeaned
off my meds down the road!
Your are now on my little prayer list Lilly, thanks for asking.
lj72650

jayne Wrote:Dont ever give up...one of the things hanging up the works is you are grandfathered under the old system.... lucky you I was also.....and the IC hates it.... stay strong

Jayne,

Thanks for the push!
I am WOMEN and I am STRONG!
So Workman Comp bring it on.
Hey you made me a poet Jayne.
Later lj72650