In need of some help

[tnicholson2]

I AM a 23 year old male in north Carolina. In may 23rd 2012, I was injured on the job. I was on top of a ladder helping a coworker,I turned to put up a box and banged my eye extremely hard on the ladder. I reported the injury to my managers immediately!! I was sent to a clinic and from there I was sent to an ophthalmologist! The opt told me that I had a RETINA DETACHMENT! I received surgery for the incident the very next morning! (the surgery was almost 24000 dollars which was paid by workers comp). I was told that I will never gain peripheral vision every again and I still can't see out of my left eye and it is now August 2, 2012!! I have had yep injection in my eye to reduce the red blood count. I have a lawyer but have not been kept updated!! So what I want to know is, will I be receiving a settlement, if so, how much? And what should I do about my lawyer? Any help will be appreciated

[hurt back]

First off welcome to the forum...

As far as your lawyer call him.. Ask him for any update he/she may have.. Keep in mind that an attorney has alot of different clients and always in and out of court. But whenever I have a question i call mine and either he or his paralegal call me within 24 hrs. we also email each other if one has missed the other..

As far as the claim settlement amount I could not even try to guess. As I'm sure that they may have you go elsewhere for another opinion.

Well I do hope that all goes well.. And i'm sure others will chime in soon to give you some advice as well.. Good Luck..

[tnicholson2]

Hurt back, thank you very much for the advice. And sorry about your injury! I will give him a call early in the morning.

[1171]

(08-02-2012 07:34 PM)tnicholson2 Wrote:  I AM a 23 year old male in north Carolina. In may 23rd 2012, I was injured on the job. I was on top of a ladder helping a coworker,I turned to put up a box and banged my eye extremely hard on the ladder. I reported the injury to my managers immediately!! I was sent to a clinic and from there I was sent to an ophthalmologist! The opt told me that I had a RETINA DETACHMENT! I received surgery for the incident the very next morning! (the surgery was almost 24000 dollars which was paid by workers comp). I was told that I will never gain peripheral vision every again and I still can't see out of my left eye and it is now August 2, 2012!! I have had yep injection in my eye to reduce the red blood count. I have a lawyer but have not been kept updated!! So what I want to know is, will I be receiving a settlement, if so, how much? And what should I do about my lawyer? Any help will be appreciated

There will be some additional disability payments depending on the extent of your impairment and how much it might affect your future earnings.
The amount won't be known until you've reached maximum recovery.

[tnicholson2]

I believe that I have reached maximum recovery.... On my doc report, it says my disability is 80%. Exactly what does that mean?

[hurt back]

I would also ask my attorney if he is getting copies of your medical treatment. If not I would make sure you get a copy for both him and yourself.. ( you never know when you may need it again ).

As far as MMI, that means Maximum Medical Improvement. Its normally some type of exam and the Dr should inform you of it. The term "MMI" is used to describe a patient whose medical condition is stable, yet will remain unchanged for at least a year. It's used to describe a condition that is very likely a permanent disability, one that will never heal, injury with long term effects.

I hope that helps you some...

[1171]

(08-02-2012 08:50 PM)tnicholson2 Wrote:  I believe that I have reached maximum recovery.... On my doc report, it says my disability is 80%. Exactly what does that mean?

Have no idea. It could be for that eye, or your vision, or your body as a whole.

Worker's comp requires impairment ratings conform to specific guidelines that describe the extent of the impairment, with precise measurement of visual accuity and any other factors limiting vision.
Talk to your doctor about how the rating was done and what guideline was used.
They should explain the measurements and factors.
If it does not conform to your states comp requirements, you'll have to have another performed by a physician familiar with comp ratings system.

Oftentimes wage loss issues are a better measure of your disability.

---

(08-02-2012 10:27 PM)1171 Wrote:  

(08-02-2012 08:50 PM)tnicholson2 Wrote:  I believe that I have reached maximum recovery.... On my doc report, it says my disability is 80%. Exactly what does that mean?

Have no idea. It could be for that eye, or your vision, or your body as a whole.

Worker's comp requires impairment ratings conform to specific guidelines that describe the extent of the impairment, with precise measurement of visual accuity and any other factors limiting vision.
Talk to your doctor about how the rating was done and what guideline was used.
They should explain the measurements and factors.
If it does not conform to your states comp requirements, you'll have to have another performed by a physician familiar with comp ratings system.

Oftentimes wage loss issues are a better measure of your disability.

see the rating guide for more information
http://www.ic.nc.gov/ncic/pages/ratinggd.htm

[tnicholson2]

Man! That is some useful information. I do appreciatey'all. So, through all of this pain and suffering, please tell me that I will be receiving a good settlement!!

[1171]

probably not. there is no $$ for pain and suffering in the world of comp-that's reserved for the world of civil law and negligence.
most workers expect work comp settlements to be like those they hear and see in the civil negligence world.
comp world is much different. and they are very disappointed.
most of your $$ have already been spent for doctors, treatment and your wage replacement checks.
comp is no fault and there is no negligence to prove- both you and the employer have to share the costs.
therefore the benefits are much lower.
just some additional disability payments to offset any loss of earnings one might have immediately after an injury-especially if there needs to be a job change.

sorry no big settlement on the horizon.

[AQA]

Unfortunately 1171 is correct.