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+--- Forum: Injured Worker Forum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Thread: what to expect (/showthread.php?tid=886)
what to expect - smithj97 - 07-19-2007 05:42 PM
My husband was injured on the job last October. We live in AL. He crushed his ankle joint and had surgery to put two screws into his ankle in April. He is going through physical therapy however they have told him that he will never be able to climb latters or run again. He worked as an electrician's assistant. Needless to say, he won't be able to go back to what he was doing. He is looking for another job however it has not been an easy process since he was working construction and will now have to have a "desk" job. We have been receiving lost wages (66 2/3 of pay) since he was injured. We have had other people tell us that W/C should offer us a settlement once the doctor releases him from his care. W/C has made no mention of a settlement and in fact has been very rude through this whole process (expected). Any advice?
RE: what to expect - tweety00 - 07-19-2007 05:53 PM
so long as you are getting treatment just go with the flow i guess ..
If i/c ever say anything about settlement just ask what do you mean ?hoping they will mentian an amount
RE: what to expect - 1171 - 07-19-2007 06:49 PM
If there are any permanent residules then it would have to be supported by a doctor's opinion--a physical therapist's is not sufficient. Once the impairment is confirmed and rated your husband will be eligible for addition disability benefits.
RE: what to expect - smithj97 - 07-20-2007 08:57 AM
Thanks - this helps. He does have limited use of his foot now since the surgery. His doctor has already told him he will not gain full use back. The ankle will not move from side to side more than about 15 degrees - meaning he can't walk on uneven surfaces, be on ladders, run, or walk without a limp.
RE: what to expect - Sithie - 07-20-2007 12:46 PM
I would start going through state agencys, vocational rehab, etc, to see about getting him some training for a desk type job. That is what I did, and I was just approved for VR, to get my accounting degree. I start school this week, online.
RE: what to expect - Truckster - 07-20-2007 01:08 PM
hey sithie,did they do any type of testing to see what you would be best suited for or were you already at a desk type job before your injury...i may have to take that approach with the state vr,have done the same job(very physical and heavy)for 25 years and don't think i will be able to return to that type of work,and as you can see my typing skills are almost nonexistant,every thing i know how to do is physical in some form,and with a lower back injury,i just don't know where to start over!!!!!!!!
RE: what to expect - capricorn - 07-21-2007 04:39 AM
When injured in '99 with 2 herniations (lumbar) My Office of Voc Rehab sent me to school at their expense. I could have gone back to my job a year before but the employer continued to deny the one restriction of lowering my lifting requirement. Keep in mind at least half of my job was desk work. I started school ( sithie also for accounting, ) and loved it. Before I got into my 4th month of school my job was threatened. I was told on a thursday to be in work on Monday or I would lose everything. At the time hubby and I couldn't make it with one salary and no benefits and since I was capable of doing my job I quit school and went back to work. One of the worst decisions of my life. Suffered 3 more injuries and kept working until this one. Now I am so bad off physically I can't work at anything. Boy if I had hindsight, i would have finished school and gone on to another job 7 years ago and saved myself this torture to my body. In hindsight I was so afraid of losing everything and now Hubby and I have finished our 4th year due to both of our injureis with only one paycheck and sometimes none. If I had held my ground years ago it would have only been a few months to finish school, I would have had a desk job and not been injured like this and would have been making alot more money. From experience I tell everyone, IF you can go back to school and get out of the job you're in before it does too much damage DO IT. My OVR also paid my tuition in full. One of the least thought out decisions in my life.
CAP