New here-When will I get paid?

[mre0609]

I hurt my back at work on Feb 24th, 2010. My boss submitted the worker’s comp. claim. I’ve been going to the doctor each week, had an MRI and CT scan, and start physical therapy next week. The doctor still hasn’t released me to go back to work. I live in NC. I still haven’t received any checks from being out of work, so I called the NC worker’s comp office yesterday, and they said they were under the impression that it was a medical only claim, and I told them that I had been out of work for almost a month now, and needed to be paid my portion of lost wages (in NC they pay you 66% of your average pay). So they called back today and said they had 3 weeks to decide whether or not to pay me for lost wages! By the time that is done I will be out for almost 2 months, with no income and bills to pay and I still may get denied lost wages! What do I need to do? Get a lawyer? I can’t afford a lawyer. Please help!