Recon Surgery, PT, What's Next??

[SoxFan420]

Hello all, I'm new to the Forum and would like to thank everyone for posting such helpful info in the threads. I was wondering if anyone has some direction as to what choices I may have to make upcoming in the future regarding possible disability ratings, so on and so forth. I'm a 34 y/o male that was injured OTJ over a year ago. My first surgeon diagnosed me with a medial meniscal tear which was repaired. A few months after, I still had substantial pain and underwent three injections of SynVisc which did nothing. After a second opinion, I found out I actually was mis-diagnosed, via reviewing the original MRI, and needed a complete PCL reconstruction. I am now post-op and awaiting to start PT. I'm currently out on WC and collecting 65% of my average salary. My inquiry is, what happens from here as far as looking into, if possible, acquiring a disability rating or any other course of action? Thanks for any response, future is cloudy and looking to clear it a little!

[1171]

each has it's own comp system. not all use impairment ratings.
that's why this board requests that you post your state if you want information or put your location in your user profile
http://www.workerscompensation.com/forum...?tid=10146

[SoxFan420]

Thanks for filling me in! I'm in CT.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

SoxFan420

If I take your screen name here, I would think your from Illinois. But, I can be wrong, so we need to know your State for sure.

Knee Injuries in Illinois settle for a minor $10,000.00 to maybe as high as $17,000.00. But with what you said was done, your settlement will based on past settlement court records with the State Work Comp system, leaving yours maybe around $12,000.00 to $15,000.00 range.

http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Rehabili...otocol.pdf

[SoxFan420]

Nope, not much of a White Sox fan. Red Sox all the way but not to get off topic, I am from Connecticut. Just updated my profile as suggested too. Thanks so far!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Yep, the difference in States can make a big difference.

http://wcc.state.ct.us/

[SoxFan420]

I just read through alot of material there but still not clear as to where I go from here. I guess what I'm asking is, at some point in the future as I am going through therapy, hopefully recover 100% to the way I was pre-injury, if I reach a point where I can no longer get any stronger (i.e. patient cannot lift more than 40 lbs), is that when a permanent disability percentage assessment is performed or does that possibly occur after I've completed therapy regardless of physical capacity result? Hope that helps to be more definitive of what I'm inquiring. Thanks again so far.......

[1171]

it's unlikely that you'll get full recovery. Connecticut provides either wage loss or loss of use benefits.
loss of use benefits require a rating when you've reached MMI. the rating will determine how many additional weeks of permanent disability you'll be paid.
more infromation on connecticut's system is here
http://wcc.state.ct.us/download/acrobat/...-guide.pdf

[SoxFan420]

So if I'm released by my Doctor to return to my job at Full Duty, capable of performing responsibilities as decribed in my job description but I have a limited physical capacity, I can get a rating and disability would pay additional compensation according to that rating?

[1171]

from page 2 of the link I posted:

"Permanent Partial Disability [31-308] —
If your attending physician finds at the time he determines you have reached “maximum medical improvement” that you have sustained a permanent partial loss, or loss of use of, a body part, he should issue a percentage disability rating, usually on a Form 42 or in the form of a medical report. A disability rating marks the end of other workers’ compensation benefits and makes you eligible to receive weekly Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits for a specific number of weeks."