Next step?

[ksgirl]

I go back to the surgeon next Tuesday. I had an L4-L5 discectomy two weeks ago. My back is feeling pretty good, but I am still having a lot of pain and discomfort in my leg.
What happens next? Will anyone try to decide if I have any loss of use? Who does that? If there is loss of use, what happens next?
I haven't contacted a lawyer because I haven't had too much of a problem with the IC(I was injured 2-26-07 in Ks.). The only problem is, is that I don't know what all of the steps are in workers comp. The state website doesn't really give any kind of step by step directions.
Thanks in advance. I really do appreciate all of the knowledge here!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Ksgirl, since you have no Attorney, and are only seeking procedure steps, I would say then use your State Ombudsman, which as close to an advocate as you can get. They do help people with all kinds of issues.

http://www.dol.ks.gov/WC/html/wcombuds_ALL.html

[rabidcoyote666]

get a lawyer...get a lawyer......get a lawyer........the best advice i could give ya' is GET A LAWYER!!!!!! would have never gotten anywhere here in Missouri without one. good luck!!

[jayne]

here either..........

[ksgirl]

I had called the obudsman before and they told me that they couldn't tell me anything at all. I was hesitant to call them again, but I tried it after reading Bad Boys post. They actually talked to me this time! I guess it depends on who you talk to.
It would be nice if the state web sites would actually give information in a way that anyone can understand. Injured workers might want to know what order things happen in.
Anyway, the man at the obudsman's office said that I would go back to the Dr. and he will decide if I have any permanent disability and if I do w.c. will figure out the amount and offer settlement. He also said that I can call back to ask questions and that they can tell me what the offer should amount to.
Thanks again!

[Bummer Knees]

Ksgirl,

I'm from the Wichita area.

The Kansas state web site gives little information and is very unclear.

I was shocked when I read the state web site, they tell injuried workers not to hire an attorney, read it a while back.

[ksgirl]

Bummer Knees
I live about an hour and a half from KC.
I couldn't believe how bad the web site is for Kansas. I've looked at a couple of other states and theirs is a lot better. I also agree that they
shouldn't tell IW not to get an attorney. I haven't gotten an attorney yet because so far I haven't really had a lot of problems. My adjuster is a little slow but other than that they are paying me and all of the bills. I guess I've been luckier than a lot of other people.

[Tuffy]

If there is one thing I have learned it is do not even THINK settlement untill you have gotten all the medical care that you can and are as good as you are going to get, If you are still having trouble please don't settle or talk settlement. WC just wanrs you off there back weather you are healed or not.

[ksgirl]

Thanks for the advice. No one has talked about settlement yet. I just didn't have a clue how all of this worked! I guess asking about the loss of use I sounded like that is what I was wanting. I should have made myself a little clearer. I know the next actual step is finding out if the Dr. will release me back to work with or without restrictions. I jumped ahead of myself.
To be honest I didn't even know until a little while ago that there could possibly be a settlement. I would be happy to just be completely healed and able to work full time again.
Thanks all!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Ksgirl, its ok, we all do and ask many things at first, not or never a problem here. Like I did say though, try the State Ombudsman, if you have not obtained an Attorney, it is free, and then, maybe you could teach us some new things about your State...

http://www.dol.ks.gov/WC/html/wcombuds_ALL.html

Did you know, on your State Web Site, as you move your Mouse over the site from place to place, certain things float up for you to see? Like waht is this, a hiden message or what. But it does do that. Give that a try too.