Broke Ankle at work have questions

[2008xb]

Hi all, I have been reading thru this site very helpful thanks for all the info.

I slipped on ice at work on 1/29/08 broke my ankle/lower leg. My foot was twisted 90 degrees. I was driven stright to the hospital by a co-worker this all happened at 8:30 am by 10:00 am I had been given morphin and was told I will need surgary. That took place at 4:00 pm and was released at 11:00 am the next moring.

I dislocated my ankle and broke my fibula at the base of my ankle and broke my tibula in over six places. I now have a scar 6-7 inches long on my right leg and have a plate and six pin in my leg. I was told I can put no weight on my right foot for 2-3 months and then will get a walking cast. I go in tomorrow for a check up almost 5 weeks now into it. So far w/c has flipped the bill.

I have been worried about being able to walk normal again and also worried about the plate and pins causing me pain in the future. I know that they give no $$$ for pain and suffering but will I get something for my loss of normal use of my right leg and also concerned about future problems. I am in Idaho and just a little concerned to say the least. My foot is still numb and I still need to take pain pills to kill the pain so I can sleep at night I just deal with it during he day.

Should I get an ATTY or is that really needed due to w/c paying the bills so far and should I expect to get a cash settlement? I know from reading here that I need to keep the medical open and doing so how long is that good for. Sorry for being long winded but sitting and living on a couch for 5 weeks is a killer and I have 3-7 more to go.

[Still in Limbo]

Hi 2008 and Welcome to the Boards!! I'm not too Familiar with Idaho's w/c Rules and Regulations, but I wanted to jump on and Say Hi! Your Injury is relatively New, and You are early on in this w/c System, so in My Opinion, as long as they are Treating You Well, and Paying Your Medical and Monetary Payments on Time, I don't really See a reason for getting an Attorney at this Point. At the Top of the Main Forum Page, there is a Section Entitled "Info by State", and You May be able to get some of Your Questions Answered there, and I'm Sure some other Folks on Here from Idaho will be on to Help You along also. Just be Sure to Document any and All Correspondence with w/c, Date and Time of Phone Conversations, who You Spoke with, and keep any and All Records You Receive. And Please Beware of the Dreaded Nurse Case Manager should You be Assigned One! They will act as if they really want to Help, and there are a few Good Ones out there, but Remember they Work for the i/c, and their Job is to get You back to Work A.S.A.P, and Sometimes they don't always have Your Best Interests in Mind! Again Welcome, and I Hope You get All of the Answers You Need Here!!

[2008xb]

I read thru the Idaho state link just confused me more. I am sure I want to get back up and walking more than w/c or the I/C. I love to fish and golf and not being able to get out and do those really puts me down. When the doc says I can start putting weight on my leg I will do all I can to start walking. I am worried I will always have some sort of pain in my leg and very worried that the plate and screws will cause me grief later on in life I am only 41 still young and full of $hit. I am in sales at a local toyota dealer ship and walking and getting around the lot is how I make a living. I need to have full use of my leg to do my job at my old level. I do not want to be retrained I have been in sales now for alittle over 3 years and really like it befor that I was a ford tech for 15 years so automotive is all I really know.

[AQA]

If retraining is needed maybe mechanical engineering is an option. Just a thought. Right now all you can do is what you are doing. Be carefull when the dr. gives you the green light to start walking. You may do more damage by pushing to hard. I have a friend that has screws in his ankle. He says he can feel them every now and then but it does not stop him from working. Hopefully someone will be along shortly that can help you with your questions about your state.

Take Care

[sparkey]

You are still in the early stages of the wonderful wc system. You may like others said, be given a ncm ( nurse case manager) who will appear to be your best friend and even go to doctors appts. with you. She/he will try to get you back to work ASAP. Even with the case maybe. Hopefully you are being paid for your time out, and i would think that after the cast is taken off that you would be needing therapy. This could take many weeks to get your leg/foot back to normal if ever. Are they permanently leaving the pins in and metal? I had broke my ankle a long time ago in 4 places and had 4 pins. A year later they removed them. On damp rainy weather days i still feel the pain in my ankle where the screws were. So i am sure that weather may take an effect on it later in life.

You are nowhere near settlement time. Your accident actually happened the same exact day as mine. It is now a year later and i am still not healed. I have carpal tunnel /tendonitis/neuropathy. I went for my PIR ( permanent impairment rating ) on Dec. 7th and got a 19 % whole body which was pretty good. So good, that the ic has me now set up for a IME with their doctor the lawyer chose to fight it.

I have not had any need for a lawyer at this point. I am doing this all on my own and read, read ,read all you can about the laws, what your entitled to etc. I go for my IME on April 3rd. and the ic is trying to say it is a old injury that was way back when i had my carpal surgery in 1998. So they will fight you tooth n nail for what they want.

Most people say it has to be a year before you are able to go for a PIR rating. But that was not the case for me as i was put at MMI in Oct. and had my PIR in Dec. It took 2 months for me to get that appt. Just focus on getting well, and hopefully you are able to return to your career. I lost mine due to not being able to hold a needle anymore with my dominant hand. I am making more money now than the career i had for 15yrs. but just not as happy with it as i was with my career. Sometimes we have to give up what we love in order to heal ourselves. I wish you the best, and do not rush anything as you still have a ways to go yet.

[jayne]

please spend some time on the "OFF TOPICS" there is where we have fun and let our hair down and make Admin get new gray hairs........I also spend alot of time on POGO.com it is a free gaming site that helps pass time if you can afford it you can pay 40 dollars a year and get alot more games Members only games and every week we work for badges and you win tokens worthless but fun.......welcome home it is the greatest site barr none for injured workers

[Still in Limbo]

2008, I Understand Your Concerns, I was Injured at 42 Years Old, in 2004. I did as You, Hunted Fished, (Not too Well), rode Motorcycle, and the List goes on. Before I Started a Career in Tractor Trailer Driving, I Sold Ford, Dodge, and Subaru, and Owned My Own Used Car Lot for 5 Years. I have a Total of 21 Years in the Auto Business. Most of the Time as a Sales Manager. I'm sure others feel as I do, I wish I could look into the Future, and Answer Your Questions Concerning the long term effects of Your Leg, unfortunately only Time will tell on that Issue. All I can Tell You is I've been fighting this System in Pa. for going on 3 1/2 Years, and Patience, Knowledge, and Documentation is the Key. The Folks on Here are Very Knowledgeable, and No One here will Lead You down the Wrong Path. This System they call w/c is Very Confusing, Stressful, and Hard to keep Track of. The Main Key for You at the Point You are at in the System, My Opinion Only, is Patience, and Learning as much as You can. I know this probably doesn't seem like a lot of Assistance now, but as You get further into the System, it will all start to Make Sense. I Wish the Very Best for You, and Have a Great Day!!

[1171]

the state of idaho has some limited information about it's permanent disability benefit
http://www.iic.idaho.gov/employees/ffiw.htm
Information or assistance regarding your claim: AskABenefitsConsultant@iic.idaho.gov

[fairycatz]

Hello! I have a feeling that you're Doug! If I am right, thanks for sending me to this site, it's great!! I briefly tried car sales, was good at it, but too cut throat for me. (Was a restaurant manager for years, before this was and will be again in fall going to school to get some type of admin/accounting job with more traditional hours.)Would you be interested in an F&I job, would your dealership have one? I worked at a Honda Dealer, and the F&I guys made fabulous money, and pretty much sat at a desk all day, they didn't seem to have any more stress and pressure than the sales people! I don't think you ever said which ankle you broke, is it your right? If yes, like mine, from what I have heard, driving is going to be a bitch for awhile once you can finally do it!! Take Care! Maura in CT

[Still in Limbo]

Sorry fairycatz, My Name is not Doug, but Welcome to the Boards! You will find some Very Valuable Info. on Here!!