[merk0331]

I am in the state of Tennessee. In April I was injured at work. I was instructed to stack wooden pallets approx. 8-10 feet high and had a hernia. I instructed my boss immediately. They gave me the next day off and filed their papers but made me work until my surgery.

There were complications and much nerve pain. The pain goes from the site of the surgery into my left testicle. The pain prevents me from having an erection.

For month's I've been struggling with my insurance to see a specialist due to nerve damage. At one point they cut off my workers comp check after they told me THEY would work with my surgeon to find a specialist to see and they did not. I complained to their higher ups and was given an apology.

I have been given an injection into the nerve by the specialist but it has done little for the pain and I am still unable to get an erection.

I do not know how long this will take... and I may be at the point now where the doctors say that there is nothing else to do.

Because of this I have been unable to pay child support. (My checks were only $118 p/wk) I am still not cleared to work by my doctor. My ex-wife is from a rich family and I have been in the process of taking her to court and attempting to get custody. I have no money for an attorney. I have been given a 30 day notice to pay back support or they will ask for me to be sent to jail. As her family is rich this is their intent. I now have 21 days to come up with money that I don't have. Maybe I can put it off a little longer... doubt it.

Now, my question: Should I approach the insurance company and ask for a settlement? I know that this is not wise and would get much less, however, I am in dire straits and need money for my back child support payments and for an attorney. Any suggestions on how to approach them and what to ask for?

ANY advice would be deeply appreciated.

[1171]

advise the county child support agency in writing that you are on workers compensation disability.
they can file a lien with the comp court which will allow them to wait until there is any settlement to be paid.
you can retain an atty for work comp purposes without making an upfront payment. they will be paid out of any proceeds from your claim.

[merk0331]

(10-10-2012, 03:49 PM)1171 Wrote: advise the county child support agency in writing that you are on workers compensation disability.
they can file a lien with the comp court which will allow them to wait until there is any settlement to be paid.
you can retain an atty for work comp purposes without making an upfront payment. they will be paid out of any proceeds from your claim.

Thanks. Good idea. One problem is that the person handling the child support case has not returned my numerous calls for almost a week. It is likely that they are friends with my mother-in-law. I was thinking about going to their supervisor and sending a certified document to them but didn't know what to ask. I didn't know if this would put them off from taking actions against me in 21 days or not. (Especially since sending me away to jail, and not money, is the reason for this)

Should I ask in the certified letter that they put a lien on a settlement? I'm not even sure if a settlement is guaranteed. I'm new to this.

[1171]

they'll decide how they'll respond to the information, you don't have to make suggestions for them.