Career choice for I/W's. 1171, info please.

[Deb]

Great post Vickinat. I agree totally.

Deb

[vickinat]

Thank You Deb.

[1171]

right. I rarely scan this area of the board so thankx for the invite. I'll be glad to share some insights and opinions on the subject.

unfortunately vickie, i suspect that once you see the claims adjusting job from the inside you'll be changed way more then you'll change it.
sorta like when you convert from one religion to another you can become even more religious then those who were born to that faith.
A few times in the past I used the vocational rehabilitation benefit to train and place an injured worker in the comp system.

You really have to make a distinction between claims adjuster and social worker. If you want to help people in need and make a difference to those who have serious problems I'm sure your local government would welcome new hires who were dedicated to improving the living conditions of it's less fortunate residents.
Those with a social worker attitude would find it very frustrating dealing with the limits and regulations of work comp law. It's not charity; it's more like a safety net to soften the fall.
Work comp can't stop the fall or make it go away. workers comp can't replace all the things a job provides either with money or attention or benefits. All you can do is cushion the landing and then get ready for the next one.
If you don't -- if as an adjuster you hang on to the worker too long -- you will get overwhelmed and won't be able to help those that come after. There is an endless stream of those that need to be caught and saved from an even harder landing. If doing that is not enough, it might not be a good job fit for you.

I'm not sure I clarifed the issues for you. I think I got too "preachy" but if you don't see the big picture it's hard to understand the details.

That being said, a good adjuster can make a difference.
Not necessarily by making sweetheart settlements or playing loose with the disability payments but by treating the worker with respect.
They are hurt and distracted with pain and often angry and confused and most of all -- uninformed/misinformed.
If you can keep your cool and respond with reassurance-- be firm without being a little dictator. provide information but let them decide; you can accomplish something other then just getting a paycheck.

You're in pennsylvania. here's a link to some employment information.
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/vie...landiNav=|
there are a number of national and local adjuster organizations and training programs.
If you are interested in contacting them I can provide some more links.
any particular questions or was I too discouraging?

[capricorn]

1171>>>>thank you for your post. I have to agree with what you've said for various different reasons. My daughter is an insurance broker and I see on a daily basis how difficult and stressful the insurance business can be. I'm not giving any adjuster or IC right or wrong here just stating what I have seen. Although I don't like quotes I don't know how else to say what I want.

"the grass isn't always greener>>>>>>>>>>"

"the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know"

Vickie did that explain how I see it?? I also agree mainly that most of us would like to think like a social worker and not like and adjuster.

sorry if I've offended anyone.

CAP

[nurse83]

vickinat Wrote:nurse83,
Thanks for your respnse. I agree that if enough people did this that eventually some I/W's would be in a position to make a differance. I sometimes wish that the laws and statues were federal instead of by each state, this would simplify things so much. Most labor laws are national instead of state mandated, it makes more sense.
Take care
Vickie
PS: I can't remember if I welcomed you before to the forum, if I didn't forgive me and Welcome to our great group.

vickinat,

thank ya for the welcome; this sure is a friendly site!

good point about w/c being easier if it were a fed system

[vickinat]

1171,

Thank you for coming here and giving your opinion. I understand all that you are talking about. I wasn't concerned about making any kind of sweetheart settlements, but just being able to get people the needed medical treatments and the respect that they deserve. I can't stand the fact that someone who has never been in our (I/W's) situation, can sit behind a phone and tell you or the doctors that you don't need certain treatments or medicines. These adjusters are not medical doctors and don't have the M.D. behind their name.

I understand that a person couldn't wear thier heart on their sleeve so to speak. I don't actually know if this is a job that I personally would be able to do without getting too involved in the cases. I just figured that if some of us that have or are going thru this nightmare, could make a differance from the inside out. I don't think that I would make a good social worker, because the stories there would also break my heart.

I do appreciate your input, and thank you for the link that you provided. Thank you very much. I must also add that you are more than welcome to visit our off topic area more often, it helps to be able to relax, laugh, vent, play games and everthing else.

Take care
Vickie

[Still in Limbo]

Vickie, I understand where You are coming from, and Jayne, I Agree with You Totally. What 1171 Explained was Very Straight Forward, and I can Surely Understand His Point also! I can't get too Involved about My Adjuster, and if You have Noticed, I have Never Bashed My Adjuster in any of My Posts, because He was a Very Nice Man, and did All He could for Me until I had to get an Attorney Involved, at that Point I wasn't allowed any Contact with Him. I will Say this though, He made a Mistake, I can't really Elaborate on what it was because My Decision hasn't been handed down Yet, but when He was Deposed by My Attorney, He did NOT LIE, and Admitted His Mistake Under Oath. He was a Man with 27 Years Experience, Treated Me with Respect, and I hold no Ill Will Towards Him. I wish more of You could have had an Adjuster Like Mine, He never denied any Care for Me, Approved my Surgery right Away, and always Called me Back, and Answered my Questions. I was Very Fortunate to have him Handle My Case. I Guess there is Good and Bad in All Professions, and I was Fortunate Enough to Get a good One!

[vickinat]

Limbo,
I'm very pleased to hear that you had a decent adjuster. I wish that could be true for all of us. I wish you the best when you recieve your decision.
I have my next hearing date and even though it is next month, I'm already getting a case of the nerves. I didn't like the way the defense attorney spoke to me last time and he gets to finish it this time. I'll be glad when all is over with. Thank you for being here for me.
Take care
Vickie

[Still in Limbo]

Hi Vickie!! i had to Testify 5 or 6 Times, I would have to Check, and I made up My Mind not to let them Intimidate me! The Way I look at the Defense Counsel is they are trying Everything in their Bag of Tricks to try and Stop My Benefits, and Take Food out of my Family's Mouth, just because I got Injured at Work!! I adopted the Attitude not of Anger, but of Preserving as Much of the Life Style I had Before My Injury for My Family, although I know that I will Never get it All Back, I Surely wasn't going to Let Him Take it Away!! I stayed with the Truth, as You will also Vickie, and if Anyone in that Court Room should hold their Head Low, it should Be the Defense Attorney!! I Know they have a Job to do, but so do We, to Preserve what is Ours to the Best of Our Ability!! You can Never go Wrong with the Truth, and you have Nothing to Fear, that's Just a Person in a Suit, and the Whole thing Will be Over in a Short Period of Time!! Go In with Your Head High, You were Hurt trying to Provide for Your Self and Your Family, and Your not there Because You were in a Drunk Driving Accident You Caused, YOU Did Nothing Wrong!! Go Get 'EM, and I Wish You the Very Best!!!

[vickinat]

Limbo,

Thank you so very much for you words of encouragement. I stuck with only the truth and the facts at the last one, and plan to do it that way again. I know that I did nothing wrong and I'm not gonna let the defense attorney make me feel as if I did. I wish he had to endure the pain and try to make ends meet when they stopped my TPD. My work hasn't had me work hardly any hours, saying that they don't have anything within my restrictions, I sometimes feel that they are trying to add to my stress level. I'm determined to stay strong this year and get results. Thank you again.
Love
Vickie