tired of waiting

[mom2emy]

I am so tired of the work comp crap of making clients wait forever on court dates or setting them . I was supposed to have this all settled by Christmas 2006 and I'm still waiting I was hurt the first time in 1999 and again in 2003 I was told by my attorney this was going to be done quickley but as you see I'm still waiting. I am sorry just needing to vent.  I was in education but a student took me out of the working field and now i'm just waiting. I was rated 85% but I was told that it will be in todays dollars whatever that means?  Has anyone ever been told that? Anyways just needing a little vent time. Thanks mom2emy

[red1030]

Hi mom2emy. I know how you feel. My husband was hurt in Dec. 2005 and has not recieved anything yet. He has not even recieved healthcare treatment. Our lawyer says it will be over quickly and then we do not hear from him for months at a time. I keep telling myself that this will be over soon and we can go about our lives not worrying about all this mess. Mostly I want my husband to recieve some healthcare and treatment so he is not so miserable. Its hard to feel cheery with all this happening, but I have decided that each day is a day from our higher power and that I will be thankful. My husband is such a great trooper when it comes to pain. He rarely says anything and I forget unless I watch his face and then I remember he is in awlful pain and there is nothing I can do but pray and let him know I love him. We have become so much closer since all this has happened. I guress I have a lot to be thankful for. Thanks mom2emy for letting me vent too.

[Pooh]

Mom2emy

you really don't say what state you live in, so it's really hard to say why it's taking so long. I mean is the case denied? Are you still getting treatment? have you reached MMI yet? There are alot of things that are involved when it comes to settlement process. Also it depends on the body parts that are injured, and what the IC is trying to settle on. If they are trying to do a C&R and closing out the Medical - then the courts may not approve the settlement if they think the settlement is to low. Also if you are on SSDI then you have medicaid set aside that has to be dealt with and this can take months to work out with the lawyers. So lots of variables.

Have you been presented with any offers to accept or reject at this point?

[Still in Limbo]

Hi mom2emy, I hope you are well this morning. I'm sorry to hear of your lost time, but I can answer your question about "Today's Money" or also known as "Real Time Money". Please don't take these as your numbers, I'm just using them because their easy to use as a guide. Let's say your case is valued at $100,000.00 and the ins. co. feels they will have to pay that over 500 weeks. that would be $200.00 per week. Real time money is when they take in account the inflation rate over the 500 weeks vs. what the money is worth if it was paid in a lump sum today. (Money today is worth more than money 10 yrs. from now.) If they decide the difference is let's say 40%, then they are going to offer you $60000.00 in lump sum payment. But don't worry, your attorney can't accept a thing without your signature and you will go before a w/c Judge and be able to ask any questions you need. The judge has to make sure you understand your settlement before you receive you it, and when the Judge signs off on it, the i/c usually has 30 days to pay without penalties. Here in Pa. they don't have to offer a lump sum, and I don't have to accept it. I would speak to my attorney and find out if they've even made an offer yet, if they can get away with it they will wait as long as they can to pay!!

[capricorn]

Good morning mom.....took my husband 3 1/2 years to see a dime. Our private health insurance paid for his care and then got paid back after the case was settled. WC is a big waiting game. We almost gave up so many times but in reality how can any of us. We are truly injured and can't work so have no alternative but to wait it out. Vent whenever you need to. We all understand and have been there and most are still waiting for answers that never seem to come.


CAP

[mom2emy]

Thanks everyone who responded, I live in CA so as you know our governor has work comp messed up big time. I see my dr. monthly and I am permanant and stationary. My attorney has requested a certain amount the insurance co. has not responded they had a final deposition and now we are waiting for a trial date. I am on ssdi so that helps. The last depo was pretty much the same as the first no changes still 85% disabled. My attorney is requesting a C&R giving up medical for a hopefully quick settlement as in a snail on crutches approach. My medicare set aside is done as far as amount needed so now we must be patient and wait I hope it is over soon as my patience is thin and my temperment is bad. Thanks again everyone sorry for complaining.
Mom2emy

you really don't say what state you live in, so it's really hard to say why it's taking so long.  I mean is the case denied?  Are you still getting treatment? have you reached MMI yet?  There are alot of things that are involved when it comes to settlement process.  Also it depends on the body parts that are injured, and what the IC is trying to settle on.  If they are trying to do a C&R and closing out the Medical - then the courts may not approve the settlement if they think the settlement is to low.  Also if you are on SSDI then you have medicaid set aside that has to be dealt with and this can take months to work out with the lawyers.  So lots of variables.  

Have you been presented with any offers to accept or reject at this point?
[/quote]

[Bummer Knees]

Mom2emy,

I worked as a teacher at an Early Childhood Center, a job I held for 10 yrs., loved working with the students.

I was injuried in 2005 lifting a student, had surgery on both knees, waitting for wc ok for total knee replacement. Found out last month
that the back problems I have been havining may be wc related, will need back surgery. My attorney is seeking approval on my back.

I see lots of teachers in physical therapy with work related injuries.

[1171]

"today's dollars" is like limbo said. when they cash out what you would get in the future they discount it for the loss of interest. Medical is lifetime so if you take it in cash up front it's only worth 30% or 40% of what it would be if it was banked and gaining interest.

[Babebahn]

mom2emy Wrote:I am so tired of the work comp crap of making clients wait forever on court dates or setting them . I was supposed to have this all settled by Christmas 2006 and I'm still waiting I was hurt the first time in 1999 and again in 2003 I was told by my attorney this was going to be done quickley but as you see I'm still waiting. I am sorry just needing to vent.  I was in education but a student took me out of the working field and now i'm just waiting. I was rated 85% but I was told that it will be in todays dollars whatever that means?  Has anyone ever been told that? Anyways just needing a little vent time. Thanks mom2emy

Hey Mom2emy:
I understand your frustration, I too got injured in 1999 and settled in 2006! I thought this roller coaster would never end,,,but I am glad everyone on this board helped me with keeping me focused and everyone was there for me when I vented....
We are always here...you are in the company of friends!

[**star**]

Reading what you are going through helps me foresee the future a little. I wanted to ask you what the AME visit was like?