Whats the Next step

[Jay2jay]

I live in Maryland I have a voc/ rehab meeting soon, scheduled by the insurance company and my lawyer, once this meeting is complete whats the next step?

The settlement process begins at what point? I am not MMI yet.

In order of importance does the Voc/Rehab serves as the next to last step?

Generally speaking with 2 non surgical compressed lumbar fractures and nerve damage to my right foot. with a fce stating no lifting twisting turning with a 10 pound limit. what sort of rating would you GUESS I may receive

[jayne]

have you signed up for SSDI yet? rehab will decide if you can be retrained.....you will have had to reach MMI and voc rehab before they start even talking then it could be 10 min or year/s,,,,depending on if you accept the settlement they offer....but if you need future medical you best be very careful a lawyer is your help but he looks at HIS bottom line not yours......quick settlements put money in his account cuz he is a volume dealer.......unless you get one that cares then he will do all he can for you.......I had an awesome lawyer but settlement talks went on for awhile

[Jay2jay]

jayne Wrote:have you signed up for SSDI yet? rehab will decide if you can be retrained.....you will have had to reach MMI and voc rehab before they start even talking then it could be 10 min or year/s,,,,depending on if you accept the settlement they offer....but if you need future medical you best be very careful a lawyer is your help but he looks at HIS bottom line not yours......quick settlements put money in his account cuz he is a volume dealer.......unless you get one that cares then he will do all he can for you.......I had an awesome lawyer but settlement talks went on for awhile

my intent is my health first, The truth of the matter I am not healthty enough to earn the money I have in the past. This is why the settlement process is so important to me. Under no reason will I allow any attorney to place me on his assembly line for his conquest. I read and with the help of good people as yourself i will be educated of this process. I explore all means good bad, right or wrong. My family depends on me, I depend on me and again thank you. I have a good attorney.

[Lilly]

Voc rehab will test you to find out what job skills you have, and what job is suitable for you with the restrictions you have. They will help you to write a resume and cover letter and give you the skills needed to search for work within your restrctions and 50 mile area. Mine was sad.....as I was only pushed to crap jobs by my councelor, like passing out pretzel samples in a mall...or store greeter etc. I was accustomed to working in a lab enviroment, with heavy responsibilities! It was needless to say, very humiliating. They will expect you to apply for work at a set amount of jobs daily, which you must log....they WILL check up on you too...so do not sluff (or the $$ will instantly stop) Do what you say you do, and give it your best shot.

Depending on your age and skills....re-training may be offered. But the education dollar amount is low.

Actually...you will have to be at MMI prior to voc rehab...as they will need to know your restriction limits first.
If you find gainful work, they must make up the pay % difference (compared to what you were making) weekly. . . .and there is a chance that no settlement is due, if you are able to find employment. If you have restrictions, been on WC...chances are no employer is going to touch you with a 10 ft pole....so then settlement. No one can predict or give you an amount of settlement due...as it's different state to state, injury to injury. Just make sure to cover your a$$ for future health care, meds, etc.

Good Luck, Lilly

[jayne]

getting on SSDI early in the process gives extra monthly money to keep you above water while settlement talks go on it also brings in medicare to help manage your health care $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and to keep the process a bit more fair to them...but it does slow down the settlement process.....then again some on here got SSDI in just a few weeks some have been fighting for years to get it so it helps to start early there its a catch 22 but understand this if not for SSDI many on here still fighting the IC and waiting on settlement would have lost everything......my husband included....

[Lilly]

read this prior to applying for SSD ! Great and informative site !!

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/

Lilly

[Jay2jay]

My FCE was Friday past My Voc/ rehap is next Friday, I am not aware of MMI. My FCE is very restrictive.