when would I need a lawyer

[e3mrk]

Attorney fees vary from State to State but I can say that My Attorney has been worth every Penny.
Workers Comp. is like a combination of Alice in Wonderland and the Twilight Zone depending on how things go.
My case has been a fight every step of the way and other People seem to have no problems at all.
You would be smart to have one in mind just in case.

[zest4life]

snowbear Wrote:Hi and welcome to the board!!! Some questions for you... are they paying WC benefits to you while you're not working? What are they going to do to your back when you have surgery?

Also...beware!!! Your case worker from WC will start out being your friend...but VERY few are in your corner at the end of the work comp battle. Just be honest but don't let them twist your words around to use against you down the road.

Please answer the couple of questions above and also which state you're in...that way others who are more knowledgeable will better answer your questions.

Glad you're here and best of luck to you!!!

Hello ..Im still working at present but have missed a few days of work so far. I had an mri done june and the radio that read it said that it really didnt show anything except a lil scar tissue..Ive had 2 micro discectomy in the past not related to wc.. and was another place of employment. Since that mri Ive had 3wks of pt and 2 epidural. I had very little relief from either. I was able to get my primary gp Dr to refer me to a neurosurgon. When he looked at the mri along with 2 others they saw what apeared to be a large herniation but said that the mri was unclear..they all did agree an what they were looking at though. So the first step is to get wc to pay for another mri at thier hosp so they can see excatly what they are looking at. Im waiting on that decision now. In any event the Neuro said I was most definatly headed back to surgery and that they would have to open my back up. could not be a micro. I did not get into any other details at this point. Like I said Im still working at this point with some restrictions...the neuro really wanted to take me off work but I coulnt afford that esp since fmla is only 12 weeks and will need that for the surgery.
yes the wc nurse has been a real bioch but hasnt denied anything so far. I try my best to remain calm and friendly with her.
I am in Ms. Hope this gives a lil better understanding. Thanks
I was hurt at work due to another employees horse play.

[dsny1mom]

Zest:

I hired an attorney right off the bat for my big injury, because the case worker told me to only ask her or the nurse, they send with me to appts, any questions about my treatment or injury. When I told her I perfered to ask my Dr questions she went on and on about how Dr's talk in terms everyday people can't understand and I'd be better off just asking her and the nurse all of my questions becuase they talk to people in every day terms. Seeing as I don't think, look or act anything like Gomer Pyle (LOL ) I called and hired attorney the next day.

After my initial injury, the one I hired the attorney for, I broke a toe at work. I didn't want to bother my attorney with something as silly as a boken toe, so I reached MMI and went it alone. It was really easy. The IC called said they wanted to make me a settlement offer, I said sure. They sent me a letter stating that I had 20% permancy loss for the fracture and offered me my settlement. I was surprised a broken toe would be considered 20% and figured sure, I'll take it. I went to the commision and met with the attorney that represented the company. Just in casual conversation I asked him (he was really nice) if he thought the offer was a fair one. He said, while it cetainly isn't the most I could have gotten, it seemed fair to him. It was a toe, and I doubt it will give me much of a problem in the future so I signed the papers, and within a couple of days I had my check. But that was a really simple case with close to zero complications.

So I've been on the pro se side and am still on the represented side.

For my big injury I think an attorney is necessary here in Illinois. The way they determine the settlement is based on comparrison to other cases that are the same or similar that have been awarded in the past. For this injury I will have permenant restrictions that are life changing. I probably could have gone it alone, as all of my medical has been taken care of and my TTD has come as promised. But once I get to settlement time there is no way I could have gottten the case law and been able to get the max I am owed for what has happened to me.

I don't know if your past back problems could be a potential problem for WC/IC to try and pawn off the current problems on the past problems, or not. I just don't know that much about back injuries. But if that is a posibility I'd be looking at attorneys now.

So to answer your questions... When do I need a lawyer? Only you know for sure. Sorry I couldn't have been more help!

dsny1mom

[snowbear]

Hi Zest. I'm hoping that Bad Boy will come along and post here. He is extremely knowledgeable. I would take the advise of Timothy and at least get a free consultation from a few attorneys. Don't sign anything until you've visited with several attorneys...if you feel an attorney is looking out for YOUR best interest, willing to battle for you to get the medical treatment you need, etc... then I would sign...I'm afraid WC is going to play games with you since you have an old injury....that is why I believe you will need an attorney. Keep coming here...there are many informed injured workers here that will help you.