Questions about NY state Workers Comp? Please help!

[kitty]

Hey all. I'm new to this site, and live in NY. Thanks for welcoming me. I have some questions that I have been asking on Yahoo answers but I have not been able to get them properly answered so I will give it a shot here. Sorry this is so long. I decided to put all my questions into one post.

I have been out of work for almost 2 years on workers comp. I had both of my arms operated on last year for tendonitis (tennis elbow) from a repetitive injury at work. My doctor has placed me on a permanent partial. At my next doctor's visit, he is going to assess the percentage of loss for my arms.

My workers comp attorney told me that they will determine an "award" based on this percentage of loss and then...AFTER they deduct everything I have already recieved (my bi weekly paychecks), and the attorney takes his cut, then I get whatever is left over. Is this true? If that is the case, then I will be left with nothing since I have already been out of work for almost 2 years.

I will not be able to make the same amount of money I used to at my job and this disturbs me. I want my future taken care of as well as any medical bills that I incur in the future due to my injury. What are my options? Some people are telling me to settle, some are telling me not to settle. I don't know what any of that even means... and if I don't "settle" what are my other options? (NYS disability already cancelled my claim back in November because I didn't find a job within my restrictions fast enough.) I'm so confused.

All I know is that it's all bull and I want compensation for my future. Can anyone on here tell me what my options are? Settling or not settling? Also, once the doctor assesses the percentage of loss, how long does it usually take for the decision, and will they stop my checks before making the decision?

I'm also wondering if I can find a part time job right now within my restrictions, and if I do will Workers Comp cancel my claim or stop my checks? I was told by my doctor that since I am on permanent partial that they will make up to 70% of my old pay if I find a job making less, is this correct?

Thanks guys, any info will be appreciated.