TN Nurse Fractured Sacral Spine In 2 Places

[Explorer555]

I need all the advice I can get. When I first got injured, I started receiving $120 wk temporary, which was not even close to what it should be. I talked to an attorney who said he was covered up with work and couldn't take my case. But, he did get the insurance company on the phone and got my check raised to approx. $575 wk temporary, which is what it should be. I then went on and found another attorney & hired him. I couldn't get my attorney to keep my checks coming in, so I battled the insurance company myself and got the $575 wk Permanent Partial Disability. The company doctor only gave me a MIR of 3.  Meanwhile, I found out my attorney had not even filed suit in court for my case and the 1 yr. deadline was about 5 days away. I thought he had filed the lawsuit a long time ago, but he had not. His explanation to me was.... it cost THEM more money when a lawsuit is filed. I fired him and starting looking for another attorney. I could not get anyone to take it on short notice and many said they would not because I fired the other one. In a nutshell, this is what happened: I filed it myself, with the help of an attorney who doesn't do personal injury cases, just to preserve my right to file. I continued to try to get an attorney and could not. Court date came and I appeared to ask the judge for more time to get an attorney. The judge denied it and granted the insurance company a dismissal. When I questioned the judge about it he said....You can get an attorney to have the dismissal set aside. Yet when I received a copy of the court order it said dismissal with prejudice. When I tried to get an attorney it was even harder because it had been dismissed. That was about 6 years ago. Now I still can't work and am sitting here thinking....surely, there is something that I can do. I was given a medical impairment rating of 3, was paid permanent partial disability for a while.  Can I not start drawing a check again, or do something??? Also, I already had been awarded a !0% disability from a previous car wreck several years back. Any insight given is appreciated.

Explorer555

[red1030]

Wow...there is so much more that we would need to know to help in a situation like this. I think that the best place for you to start would be to search your states workman's compensation site for some of your answers. Also, on most of these sites they have listed a few lawyers that are certified in workman's compensation. Best wishes.

[monster]

Hi Explorer,

There are many here who I am sure would like to help. I am not good with info like this or I would offer some up. I just came in to say please don't give up here. Many are up and here at unGodly hours due to pain, etc so hopefully someone will come along soon. Any further details you can provide would probably be helpful.

Good luck to you and I hope you find the answers you need.

monster

[punk]

Explorer,
Hi and welcome to our little corner of the world!! It's not a pretty one, but we've come to adapt and are trying to overcome what WC sends our way. I, too, am an injured nurse. My date of injury was 10-15-05 and I'm still not done fighting with the IC yet. In fact, we're only now getting close to beginning settlement talks! So, you see...when you stay on it there isn't even a quick fix there. I'd have to say....though, that you're likely to find yourself in a pickle when it comes to finding an attorney to take your case for you. Simply because they will fear that if things don't go the way you wanted it that you'll dump them. Unfortunately, sad but true.
Now, I would begin with trying to find another attorney, no matter where they are, to take your case. At this point, I don't believe you can be all that picky about who you would hire or not. If it were me, I'd get a list of ALL the WC attorney's in your state that deals with WC issues. Then I would mark off the ones you've spoken with, and then go from there. Start making calls to everyone, explaining your situation and asking for someone to represent you. Then, when/if you find someone willing to take your case...interview them to see if you can possibly work with them. You have to be able to get along with your attorney....simply because he has to know what you want out of this and you have to be able to communicate openly with him...about anything that he would ask of you.
Also, getting ALL copies of your medical records related to this injury is extremely important so you can forward a copy of them to your attorney, once you've found one.
It might not hurt to contact your state's bar association to report the lawyer that dropped the ball and was initially responsible for your case turning south and into the toilet.
Do you have all the copies from the lawyer that you have hired? It would be to your benefit to get all copies from them as well...for the new attorney.
Unfortunately, there isn't much else I can help you with at this point! Sorry! I feel that finding an attorney that can/will work with you is of the utmost importance at this point in the game. And, because of statue of limitations.....it might not even be able to be done. That's for an attorney to tell you, that's for sure!
Also, by updating your profile would be of much help!!! You need to at least tell us what state you live in. We don't need your full address, but the state would be most helpful. Also, you might take the time to tell us about your injuries so that we can help you in that direction once you've obtained legal representation! Talk with your state's WC board and see what you can do at this point. They may tell you that you can't do anything. That to much time has passed by. The people at the state level aren't usually biased as to who they're speaking with. They are there as a reference and possible help to everyone involved with WC. They may also have a list of ALL WC attorney's in your state, along with address and phone numbers...that might save you a little time so that you can begin making calls!!
Good luck and feel free to add anything that you think might help us out here...in our effort to help you!