Bitter, Better, or Something Else

[chrischris]

First off, I would like to say that I really like Freebird's question about the reasons we want to settle our claims. I want to answer but am having difficulty right now putting it into words. Thanks Freebird.

I'm asking if those who come here to post can say whether they are bitter, better, or something else.

For me, I am bitter. It's not the WC system that I am bitter about. (maybe just a little bit ) It's my ex-employer! I have tried and tried to let it go. For goodness sakes, I keep telling myself to get over it already! LOL! The most hurtful event that created this new bitterness was when I was recently taken out to coffee and told that my supervisor was leaving, unwillingly. I was told that my career had been sacrificed because of her and everything had been slowly brought to light once I left by retiring when my position was eliminated for the 2nd time. It took them over 2 years to fully realize they made a mistake by not even so much as investigating my allegations. All they could see was she was doing a good job. What they didn't realize was that I was doing her job because she didn't know the difference between a debit and a credit. Which, btw, she admitted to before she left. Now WC has accepted my stress claim, but refuse to pay me back ttd, mileage, self-paid scripts; and I won't settle until they all play fair.

[freebird]

Early morning response due to withdrawal but here I go.....

I am not bitter; I am better than day one of my accident but disabled is a fact of life. I am a WC pain junkie. I need my meds..

I still get paid; My meds and PM visits are paid 100%. I am just tired of watching my back at every corner thinking someone is watching/filming me. I have tried to settle but after 8 years I am still here.........

[mz_ding]

I am bitter, better and something else. I am bitter because my employer (former) turned their heads to what was going on. Before my injury, I was being harrassed ( only female in a small PA township) by one of the road crew. For some reason he had it out for me. He use to help me keep the township building clean and then one day he disliked me. I went for months working in dirt, dust and people's germs. One day I said the hell with it, and got the industrial mop and bucket out and the rest is history. I could have been off the job that day, but instead chose to work, despite the pain, do PT, pain management, etc. for almost a year. I certainly didn't want to be the cause of their WC premium increasing. In the end the IC dropped the township because another worker had been on WC for almost 3 yrs. From the day I left to have surgery to date I have not heard from any of my former Supervisors, no phone call, no card, NO NOTHING. It certainly showed me that I wasn't appreciated for all that I did for that township to bring it into this century. The bitterness has calmed down, but, I don't think it will ever fully go away. (I did report the harassment to Supervisors but I watched as they protected this guy, who I might add is in his 60's) I am bitter because I am injured for the rest of my life.

I am better because I don't have to put up with this kind of treatment anymore. I am better because even though this happened, when they appointed a new Secretary/Treasurer I made myself available for any questions and help that was needed despite the treatment from my (former) bosses. I am better because I don't have to put up with it anymore.

I am something else because my whole lifestyle has changed. I once was able to go hiking; paddle a canoe; these things I can do but I pay for it in the end. I am something else because I have changed by no choice of my own. I didn't know that I would be injured by trying to clean the township building ( it's an old school house with no renovations at all) I do believe through all this I have become a better person. Throughout my whole life I had always given people the benefit of the doubt; I have been a Sec/Treas for 3 townships throughout my working career (20 yrs) and this small township was the worst experience and not necessarily from the injury. I have learned some very hard lessons. The daily pain from the injury is something I have to live with the rest of my life and is a constant reminder of how I was treated for 4 yrs. My next job, if I am lucky enough to find one, will be helping others, be it volunteer work or a paid position.

I just settled my case on Friday so I don't have WC to deal with anymore. I must say that the IC was very easy to work with. They never missed a payment be it a wage replacement check or medical bills. They wanted me off their books since they no longer carried the township on their WC policy. I got a decent settlement, much more than I had ever expected. But remember NO MONEY can replace or ease the pain. (mental and physical)

[jayne]

I was bitter very bitter I started the Salvation army thrift store her in my town with a friend....her family and my family found the building cleaned it painted it and stocked it with another stores throwaways.....I had nothing but atta girls in my records I was the go to girl when something needed doing......then I got hurt......then they wouldnt talk to me.....they accused me of faking when the MRIs came out showing I wasnt then I was a theif....when the accounts came out clean then I just knew how to hide it well...( I must be good for someone who only went to 8th grade and then got a GED)I have worked hard all my life I have never taken anything I didnt work for....
I am better because a small church in town came to my house and got me and my family....they believed in me and loved us they continue to love us to this day....I am still learning I am not perfect and I tend to blow my top first and think later...I am also a WC druggie
I am something else because I had a darn good lawyer that believed in me....I had a darn good WC judge that got really pissed when she saw what my employer was trying to do...which believe it or not was brought to her attention by their lawer.....they were fined alot above and beyond my settlement.....it was enough to pay off my farm buy a mini van and a used motor home.....we are living month to month but my farm is safe for my children...so I am better.....the Salvation army store here in town shut down when the girl who wanted my job so bad and lied to get it died of cancer and her replacement couldnt do the work......I am sad margaret died....no one deserves to die from cancer......but the store was already bankrupt before she quit......I am glad to know no one could do my job as well as I could......it was because my whole family worked as volunteers.....it wasnt a one person job

[1171]

jayne:
you had your share of good fortune along with the bad.
all the more baffling why you support the party and policies of big business.

I suspect you see the successes as more from hard work & self-reliance then luck or fortune.
that puritan hard work/rugged individualism ethic doesn't respect the value of government aid or welfare.
and many of the biggest heroes of business worked long hard hours and were independent as hell.

just trying to understand what appears contrary to me......

[jayne]

1171 what I work for is mine....I earned it....what you work for is yours....you dont owe me yours....I dont owe you mine....I dont mind helping anyone out.....but they have to do their part....one of the things I learned while working for the Sal Army is the world is full of scammers....3rd and 4th generation welfare families.....they are what is bringing our country to its knees...one family cant work and support 10 families.....Men going from female to female having babies and not supporting them ....women not caring enough for their own bodies to protect them.....having baby after baby and expecting the state to pay the medical bills....wic and foodstamps to take care of them....what kind of life is that for a child.....what kind of Mother PLANS that for a child......sometimes life happens and you need these programs to help for awhile....but to plan to use these programs to have and raise your children?
Children that dont know who their Father is? 6 kids one Mother and 6 different fathers.....I just dont understand.....My Daddy was a Democrat but he would scratch dodo with the chickens before he would take a penny in welfare......it took all he had to take beans and rice from his union during the strikes...but it was what he paid union dues for...he taught us to work hard,help others and never take something for nothing......you dont lie you dont steal....if I am half as good a person as my Daddy was I will be lucky.....
you are right 1171 I have had alot of good fortune I had a good Daddy who taught me well....I have a good church...I have a wonderful husband and kids and boy howdy I have some great friends here.....all Heaven sent.......I have a great God who has brought it all to me...even you...who I fuss with I have a lot of respect for.....you dont have to stick around but you do.....gotta respect you for that....
where you and I differ is I dont envy anyone their good fortune or their bank account.....If they worked for it it is theirs and they should decide how and where to spend it....not me and not the goverment......just because I didnt go to collage and get a high paying job doesnt give me a pass on taxes.......and just because they did and worked their butt off for it doesnt mean someone should come in and take a huge hunk out of it just because they have more money than I did....there is nothing fair in that....a flat tax is more fair......Bill and I have raised 5 amazing children without welfare sometimes Bill worked 2 jobs and I worked 1 sometimes I worked 2 and Bill did one what ever we could do.....now we have 3 more and I know they will be amazing also....they are throwaway babies their Momma was on drugs and alcohol the whole time she was pregnant.......everyone said they will be retarded or slow or or or or kaka they are all 3 A students because its what we expect of them....kids always do what you expect them to.....if you expect them to be good they will be.....you expect them to be smart they will be....you expect them to be bad well they will be......
But answer me this.....Do you think so many women would continue to have baby after baby if the state didnt pick up the tab for the medical,wic,foodstamp and housing?
If Mom had to name the Dad and their Federal and state taxes were held until the money for medical were paid back......or even anyone can make a mistake you get a pass on the first baby but not on the 2nd.....after that if you wont name the Dad and he wont get of his butt and help support it then it goes up for adoption to a family that can afford it...I know it sounds heartless but something has to be done or we are gonna sink as a nation....its time for everyone to get up off their butts and do their part...

[Tethys2010]

Since coming up here it has eased some of my stressors from having to deal with worker's comp. I learned a lot from the member of this group, I agreed to settle my case last week. I am getting a lot more than I thought even though NO AMOUNT OF MONEY can replace the pain I will feel the rest of my life but IT IS SURE NICE NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BEING WATCHED!!
I am bitter that I see people whom I use to work with and they want to act all concerned; when they see how I walk. But when this first happened - everyone kept their distance. They didn't even send me a get-well card. I donated to EVERY party given, bought and cooked food for them as well. Ran errands when they couldn't get away - and no this was not my job!!
In closing, I don't know how long it will take me to get a check here in VA. but when I do. I AM GOING TO LIVE for just a little while as if I don't have any pain. This should last about an hour. ha ha

[Shadow]

Extremely bitter here.

Terminated while attempting to return to work. Denied PT, Denied prescriptions, Not paid TD correctly, Not paid PD correctly. IC has tried to screw me at every opportunity. Just a bunch of BS. That I didn't ask for.

Thats ok...... I will never sign any paperwork or accept any decision from the courts. What a one sided system . It's truly corrupt. Even my own attorney is a sell out .He is crying now because I say go to trial . Where were you when I was getting screwed. I won't fire him either. One false move and state bar for him.

I plan on going by the law and exactly the law. Which means I do not have to accept offers . I can go to trial and file appeals after any court decisions. Time is money. I plan on wasting alot of time .I lose wages when I have to go to the court house to deal with this.

Where the IC gets over is if the IW needs thier money. I work every day now with a different ER. And they ask if I want to settle ...........just hilarious.

[bodybuilder1958]

Bitter and better.
Better about trying more positive about my situation.
Bitter toward my former employer and those who I thought were my friends.
Bitter toward my first work comp doctor who basically ruined my left knee, let it get infected and ignored it.
Apprehensive about my future in working. I will be basically black-balled in working in the large city 16 miles east of where we live.
When I walked out of the hospital where I used to work last week I realized that I wouldn't be getting my TKR if I alone hadn't of fought so hard for it. Hard not to be bitter against just a few people who literally turned my life upside down. True some were only doing their jobs but they must be so calloused to not feel, realize what they do to people.

I put up with an older sister (luckily she doesn't live in this state) who basically tells me to get off my lazy skinny ass and get back to work. Reminds me over and over that she had a co-worker who went thru chemotherapy and never missed a day of work. Well bloody good for her. My sister, alot of my former friends have absolutely no idea of my pain that I deal with daily yes, just because of one bloody knee that has now turned into a hip problem and has now also caused problems with my other knee.

There are days that I want to just beat some people bloody. But then I pray, reflect that I'm not really that type of person.
Crap, guess I'm just bitter, angry, can't imagine why....
Would give away one of my kidneys to be rid of work comp. I have wonderful, wonderful medical insurance, just can't use it.

[weezle735]

Well. As of right this moment I am bitter. I am bitter towards my employer. I am bitter towards my doctors and I am bitter towards my attorney.
Bitter towards my employer due to the fact of (like most here) I worked my butt off for them. I supported every effort made by them. I defended the company towards parents and coworkers who bashed them. I loved my work. I miss my work. I excelled at my job and was moving up. I did everything asked of me and went above and beyond what was asked of me, always. My job performance observations by all supervisors that I ever had were excellent. Never was i an issue. Just recently I ran into my supervisor and she said that while she knows I really cant say anything to her about what happening. But she wanted to know if I was going to be re joining her team and that I was an asset to the company and lots of good for the company and was very envolved with every aspect, which in my job, many staff just come do their job description and go home everyday, nothing more. I however faught tooth and nail for my employer. I am bitter because after everything I gave, I am getting no support from them. Granted I am getting my checks ontime and medical bills paid. But after I became off work the second time due to aggrivation of injury, its like I dont exist to them anymore. They have turned their backs.
Now, having worked for them for 4 years, I know they dont make a single move without talking to their lawyers first. So I am not sure if this is their own doing or their lawyers doing.
Bitter towards my doctors because they have all agreed on a diagnosis. But thats it, got diagnosed and pills and sent on my way. WTF. Are they telling me thats all they can do for my specific injury? Pain management? Take some pills, see ya in 3 months?? Well I have decided to not take this as an answer. I am frantically searching for a specialist who has dealt with my specific injury. Which I guess is making me better......but I am having no luck. All I can find is spinal drs which they say its not their specialty, they cannot help me...... Continued bitterness.
My lawyer because I am now within the understanding that he is just in my case for a quick low ball settlement with $$50k and no medical. Because my case seems to be a unique circumstance that he is not familliar with. I believe, from our last convo that he is not willing to fight for me bacause he is not use to defending an injury such as mine. Which happens to be a contraversial injury to begin with I guess. He has given up. We have a hearing tomorrow and I have not heard one word from his office at all. He has given up on my fight. I however have not so I guess I may be better for that.

I am somehing else because it will be a year tomorrow that I have been injured and while I have a diagnosis, I have mediocer treatment options for my liking. I am something else because now that the weather is getting warmer and I still am not able to go out and play with my children, I find myself upset and crying more. I do what I can but at 31 I would love to play tag football, run with the dogs, roll around in the grass, play in the sand box....... But what do I get to do.... Watch from a reclining patio chair. I get to watch and laugh but that will never be a good replacement for interacting with my children like I used to. I was once a ver active person. The one at work that would come up with sper of the moment games to play with the children. Sper of the moment games to play with my children at home. Always outside, on the go...... Now I am something else because I cannot do these things. I am something else because I am expected to goto work with 15 children 3-5 yrs old. I am something else because my lawyer told me my case is worth null because I could go be a greeter at walmart. And since I can do that job, I/ my medical care/ continued pain/ mental health is worth nothing. I have never disagreed that I cannot work, I have just requested work within my restrictions. I do request that I be able to maintain the benefits provided to me by being a state employee. Not that its a degrating job and many love it as much as I do my job, but I do not believe I shld have to be(guess u can say) demoted, from a highly respected position to one many ppl make fun of. For that I am not sure what I am... Therefore I am something else.