How to get the ball rolling towards settlement?

[injuredinidaho]

I was injured in Oregon and have been off work for about 7 months with an SI Joint sprain, upgraded from strain. I have had physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, 2 steroid injections and am still in severe pain. I cannot sit or stand for long periods of time and have a hard time putting weight on the right side of my body. I can sometimes barely walk. This injury has changed my life significantly...for the worse.

I had an appointment and my Ortho Surgeon said he has no idea what to do next other than a fusion and that has a higher percentage chance of not working than working...I am 38 and this idea seems horrible. I had an IME and that proved to actually be in my favor and that doc made recommendations that has helped my medical care. I reviewed his entire report and it was a positive for my case.

I don't think I am at MMI yet but am already tired of this work comp mess. How do I approach my insurance company to ask about my "options"...settlement or retraining without having a negative impact on my future medical needs and I surely don't want my checks to stop coming in. Any ideas on how to feel them out?

[1171]

they are not going to settle with rehab open.
if your doctor agrees that you will likely never return to your former occupation put in a written request for rehabilitation.
I'm not sure they can settle a claim without knowing your permanent impairment.
when you are at maximum medical improvement the doctor will give you a disability rating that can be used to calculate your entitlement to additional benefits.
without knowing your disability your case is hard to price.
Have you discussed your plans with the ombudsman?
http://wcd.oregon.gov/cserv.html

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I don't have a good clue on how you can get this over with, and then not have your checks stop. It won't work that way. If you tell them, and the doctor, you no longer want any medical care, it should get you put at MMI, and then the doctor rates you. You then try for a settlement, and expect it to be a low one.

I wish you luck.

[injuredinidaho]

I will just have to keep on truckin with all of this...I like to read everyone else's experiences and then I see that I don't have it all that bad. I want to make good decisions and that is why I post for advice. Thanks much.

[webehealed]

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