Impairment rating

[nursedina]

Good morning all.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect.

I am in PA, hurt my back 2 years ago - coming upon 104 weeks at the end of this month.

I have had three surgeries - one L4-L5 fusion, one L-4-L-5 revision and L-5 - S1 360 degree fusion, I have a spinal cord stimulator implanted about 4 months ago. I also have been left with a left drop foot and permanent nerve damage to that left foot. I take pain meds daily and see a pain mgmt doctor once a month at least.

I have told my attorney I ready to settle and he is contacting insurance company to see if they are interested in settling.

My question is : I know I will have to go for an impairment rating - What can I expect at this appointment? I have never had an IME, IRE or anything else. The only time I have seen a WC doctor is immediately after the initial injury (the next day). My pain mgmt doctor is a WC doctor for the company I work for but he is good and was recommended by my attorney as someone who will fight for me if need be if he believes in you and your injury.

I have no idea what to expect at an IME or IRE - Thanks for any advice or experiences you can share with me.

Thanks

-Nursedina

[1171]

if you are back to work with no loss in wages then you may be entitled to specific loss of use payments.
otherwise you are paid wage loss.

[AQA]

Mine was done by a DD.. Anyway, It was a briefe medical exam followed by being measured for ROM and then a modified FCE. Total time was less than 2 hours.

[inpainokla]

i was never even rated the adjuster gave us a number..more than what we were gonna ask for we excepted..2 weeks later check was here and it was all over

[nursedina]

Thanks everyone, Im just not sure what to expect at these appointments as I never had one. Not sure what they are going to ask, what they will make me do, etc...how long it takes...etc.etc...thanks

[wootk1967]

Does 104 weeks mean something in PA? just curious because I am also hurt in PA. wish you the best.

[nursedina]

wootk1967 Wrote:Does 104 weeks mean something in PA? just curious because I am also hurt in PA. wish you the best.

WootK- I am not sure about the 104 weeks but from what I understand, 104 weeks is when the IC can request an IR if you are at MMI. As I said, I am not positive and perhaps someone will pop in and clarify it.

My attorney told me that the ins company would not talk settlement unless i was at 104 weeks - dont know if that is all ins co..or just this particular one.

I am looking to settle to get off the merry go round. I have been studying and talking in depth wiht my attorney and doctors about future med costs etc...right now I am at serious serious risk of losing my house and my vehicle. It is the right option for me afte rI examined all the options. I am still waiting to hear back from ins co to see if they are interested in settling. they might not be, but I hope there is an agreement that we can come up with that would satisfy all interested parties.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

The impairment rating means almost nothing in PA unless it is equal to or greater than 50%. There is no applicable formula in PA based on an impairment rating, and if you want to get true value for your case, you should consider hiring a lawyer to handle the settlement negotiations. Or if you have an Attorney talk with them, on value.

In PA, the carrier will look at their potential future liability when settling a case. If you are working without a loss of earnings, the carrier's projection of potential future liability may be a figure substantially less than what you would be willing to take to walk away from a job.

[nursedina]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:The impairment rating means almost nothing in PA unless it is equal to or greater than 50%. There is no applicable formula in PA based on an impairment rating, and if you want to get true value for your case, you should consider hiring a lawyer to handle the settlement negotiations. Or if you have an Attorney talk with them, on value.

In PA, the carrier will look at their potential future liability when settling a case. If you are working without a loss of earnings, the carrier's projection of potential future liability may be a figure substantially less than what you would be willing to take to walk away from a job.

Bad boy - Yeah I know that. I have an attorney and he said the insurance company wants me to go for one. I just didnt know what to expect, thats all. And nope..not working. Totally off work. Been out for two years. I went back briefly a few months ago, but after a couple of weeks, I was in so much pain, they took me back off..

thanks for input!!