I injured my lower back at work now work comp wants to settle. been injured for8months ,whats injury worth?

Question

ive injured my back at work on 9/17/05. my job is orderfilling in -20 at walmart distrubition. it took them 2 months to send me to the doctors. i cant realy do much of anything because of my back. i do have a lawyer, and now my employer wants to settle, but my lawyer and doctors say, this injury is long term. and its going to be very expencive to treat. but my question is , what is this type of long term injury worth in a settlement. thank you.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I would NOT settle, especially since your doctor and lawyer feel that your injury appears to be long-term. ONCE YOU SETTLE, the workers comp carrier is ONLY obligated to pay you the remaining TTD (Temporary Total Disability benefits.) then they will pay whatever PPD (Permanent Partial Disability) benefits you may be entitled to receive.
IF you get worse, you COULD petition to re-open, BUT IT WILL BE ONE HELL OF AN UPHILL BATTLE.

Here are some questions to consider:
1 - WHAT STATE has jurisdiction over your claim.
2 - Did you know that SOME states pay LIFETIME BENEFITS?
((that all depends on WHICH STATE has jurisdiction))
3 - Will you need SURGERY in the future?
4 - WHO will pay for medications you may need because of your work-related injury, after you settle?
5 - Is your employer talking about a "full wash" - that means that you surrender any and all rights to future benefits?
6 - IF this is so, then make SURE that they pay you enough to cover the following
A) ALL of the PPD benefits you deserve
B) ALL future costs to cover surgery you may need
(Applies ONLY if your doctor states you will need surgery))
C) Enough money to cover ALL FUTURE MEDICATION
D) If you find another job, what if you become disabled again,
because of this injury? Workers comp WILL deny your
request to re-open if you start working for another employer.
It appears that you are NOT working right now??
IF that is the case, then the monies that they pay you will dwindle as you pay for your living expenses.

You may want to have a heart-to-heart talk with your attorney, and feel free to address the above issues.

If you want to view questions about this, and other workers comp issues, visit http://www.GettingWorkersComp.Blogspot.c…
Good luck.

Source(s):

http://www.GettingWorkersComp.Blogspot.c…

Answer 2

Do NOT settle until you get better. Hint- Don't do anyother projects until released by dr.