Newbie Help, been out a little while already

[Chap]

Hi,
I am amazed at the wealth of information found here, I just hope it's not too late for me. I do not have a lawyer as I really haven't needed one as of yet, but I did get some advise from one.

I am a US Letter Carrier, I work and was injured in PA but I live in NJ.
The WC is the Federal GVT office of Workman's Compensation

I suffered a reoccurrence of a work injury to my back.

The initial injury and the injury that lead to the reoccurance both happened on the job and MRI's from the 2nd injury showed worse damage to my discs than the initial MRI 2.5 years previous.


I was approved and have been collecting benefits since the injury happened in August of 2006. Now I have always maintained my desire to return to my job, even if it is in a limited duty capacity. I have done everything that I was instructed to do by my treating physicians and anything that was suggested by them.

I was sent on an inital IME in October and of course he said I was fully recovered. However he did state that my return to work should be in a limited capacity due to my existing injury.

At the advice of the lawyer I called I gathered all my treating doctors info together and sent in in fighting the IME Dr's decision and I won.

Now they just sent me for another IME this past Tues(5/20). I have never felt so bad in my life. This guy barely examined me, grilled me with questions and basically mocked me in disbelief at some of my answers.
I answered his questions and told him of my recent procedures and the plans my pain management Dr has for me and my hope to return to ork in some capacity after this upcoming procedure(Disc Decompression)

Besides the way I was treated by this guy, the occasional surveillance makes me feel like a criminal and makes me paranoid and anxious and constantly sick to my stomach.

In following with my treatment I as hoping to return to work in some capacity after the decompression, if all goes well.

What is my next move?

Do I schedule my own IME with another Orthopedic Surgeon ?

Can I get a copy of the IME that they sent me to this week, and how do I go about that ?

Do I definitely need to get a lawyer ? The couple I called said I would need to pay about $3000 up front At least one helped me with the procedure to fight the first IME.

I see these things about "ratings" Should I get rated even though I am not going for SSDI ? And how do I do it if I have to ?

Also, what is MMI ? I see that abbreviation often and I was curious.

Thanks

[1171]

unfortunately the federal system is significantly different then the state systems.
this will make it a bit more difficult to get legal representation.
Litigation is handled thru the federal courts.
about all i can offer for information is what's online at the DOL website (which maybe more then you expected)
http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/o...cpcomp.htm

[lfoster21]

I don't have info. re. the gov. cases, but to answer a couple o your questions. MMI means maximum medical improvement. It is when your Dr. says that you have tried everything possible and you are as good as you are going to get. As for the ratings that you read about, once you get an MMI, the Dr. gives a % of how much he things you have lost by being injured. For example, you are 10% worse than your were prior to injury. The i/c often usese that % to come up with how much they will offer you at the end, if there is a permanent disability. At least, that is a basic description of what the terms mean. It is not something that you do, to get either the MMI or the rating. It is something your Dr. will do at the end.

Good luck.

[Still in Limbo]

Is Your Case being Handled under the Federal or State w/c System? That would Help Me a lot in knowing whether I have any Info. for You or not. If You are in the State System, I have some Info. that May Help, but I'm not Familiar with the Federal System. If You could Please let Me know which System You are in, I may be able to Help a Bit. Have a Great Day!!