1st Timer-New to this, not sure what to say

[In Pain All the Time]

I have a WC injury from 2006 in the state of GA. I have had 3 surgries and is still in pain. I have had 2 surgries on the right shoulder and 1 on the left shoulders. My MD said I can returned back to work on light duty and I have an impairment rate of 6%. I'm not sure what that means. All I know is that I'm in pain all the time on the right arm. I have lost my job and not sure what to do next. How do you find a job on light duty.
Can someone give me some insite on what happens next. Do I need to seek legal help?

[jayne]

well if you are still in pain something is not right.......first visit to WC lawyer is normally free find one and see if he can get you a second opinion

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

You can also ask you Insurance adjuster about a Work rehab program to help you find work.

[In Pain All the Time]

jayne Wrote:well if you are still in pain something is not right.......first visit to WC lawyer is normally free find one and see if he can get you a second opinion

I did seek a 2nd opinion on my own medical ins. and the 2nd MD wanted to do more surgeries. I have already had 2 on that shoulders and still needed surgery on the other arm. It is now 7 months post-op on the Lt arm. And on my last visit to the wc MD that is when he stated that the Lt arm is healing fine and that he could not do anymore for the Rt arm and the then gave me the impairment %.

[In Pain All the Time]

In Pain All the Time Wrote:

jayne Wrote:well if you are still in pain something is not right.......first visit to WC lawyer is normally free find one and see if he can get you a second opinion

I did seek a 2nd opinion on my own medical ins. and the 2nd MD wanted to do more surgeries. I have already had 2 on that shoulders and still needed surgery on the other arm. It is now 7 months post-op on the Lt arm. And on my last visit to the wc MD that is when he stated that the Lt arm is healing fine and that he could not do anymore for the Rt arm and the then gave me the impairment %.

Also I did seek free 1st lawyer visit and they stated that since the WC ins is paying for my medical treatment for the past 3 years and that it was not much else more an lawyer would do for me because in there eyes the state of GA will not pay any more than what is stated by the laws of GA. Not sure what that means. But he stated that if anyone who take my case is doing it for the money.(??????) And it may take away from my settletment. So I have been unsure of what to do next.

[AQA]

Settlement guidelines are set in stone. Yes an attorney would get a percentage of any settlement. At this point I would not be concerned with any monitary gain from a settlement. Instead, I would be focused on my medical needs and do what ever it takes to see to it that I get what I need.

Take Care.

PS. In Ga., attorney fee is 25%

[jayne]

any lawyer only takes it for money,but some take it to help you get what you need...if you need more surgeries and it takes a lawyer to get them....than he has earned his pay.....My lawyer earned every penny he charged me....

[janebowling]

Hi, contact your local community agencies for free help. I'm not familier with GA but your city or state should have local areas for appyling for social security and such. Don't forget any attorney you talk with has a goal of settleing not in your favor. Keep that in mind and talk with real people to help you do research on the law. Dont' belive anything a attorney tells you alwasy ask other people and confirm what they are saying. From my experience all attorneys lie.

[jayne]

jane my lawyer never lied to me......he was upfront and honest with me he was my rock without him I would have been left without the proper Doctors and medical care...so not ALL lawyers lie.....IC offered to settle for 3000 and no more medical care......they paid a hellva lot more than that in just my lawyers share before all was said and done.....So you must talk to several lawyers and pick the one that you feel comfortable with........

[Still in Limbo]

I'm in Total Agreement with You on this One Jayne!! The Most Important thing You and Your Attorney have to have to Succeed is Trust in EACH Other!! Without that, it's going to be a Very long and Unproductive Process!! My Attorney always Plays Devils Advocate with me, and give Me the Good that can Happen when We make a Move on My Case, and also the Worst Case Scenario that could Happen! Then He let's ME Make an Educated Decision on My Next Move, and We have Always been able to Come to Agreement with Each Other!! Without Trust, that would Never be Possible, Sure there are Some Bad Attorney's Out there, just as there is Bad in any Profession, that's why It's the Injured Workers Job to search for an Attorney they Trust!! So the Blanket Statement that "All Attorney's Lie" I do not take as Fact, but I have seen Many Cases where the Injured Worker has chosen the Wrong Attorney for Them!!