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sick and tired · 09-30-2010, 02:15 AM

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and have read some great posts. I am in CA. And was injured Nov 1st of last year. I tore the meniscus in both knees. I had my first surgery march 5th on my right knee. Partial meniscectomy, chondroplasty, patellaplasty. And I am still in pain. My 2nd surgery was yesterday. I will find out what all they did next week. Except for physical therapy approval, everything has gone smooth with wc. My brother keeps telling me that I should have a lawyer to make sure I don't get screwed. Do I need one? Other than wc taking care of my surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. Am I entitled to anything else. I don't understand all this talk about ratings and settlements. Can someone please advise.

jayne · 09-30-2010, 08:57 AM

if you are getting all your medical and PT you are getting your checks on time and your meds you dont need a lawyer yet...

bronco54501 · 09-30-2010, 11:46 AM

Like Jayne has said, if they are paying for your needs you are doing well and dont need one at this time. Your best defense is to be proactive and keep track of all records, and knowledge is your key and what I mean is study your state laws and read some old posts that pretain to you..... If you feel you want to at least talk to a lawyer, feel free to but dont sign with the first one you see. Do shop around until you are comfortable with one you find and make sure he is a wc lawyer.. But you dont need one as of yet....

sick and tired · 09-30-2010, 02:42 PM

Thank you Jayne and bronco. I guess I am one of the lucky few, who have not had any major problems. They did deny my second surgery. But my ortho kept me off work and after 3 months they modified the appeal. I just hope everything stays smooth.

1171 · (This post was last modified: 09-30-2010 02:57 PM by 1171.)

sick and tired Wrote:Other than wc taking care of my surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. Am I entitled to anything else. I don't understand all this talk about ratings and settlements. Can someone please advise.

comp pays additional disability for those left with permanent impairment. the amount of impairment is determined by a doctor and expressed as a percentage.
100% is total impairment and unable to work in any capacity. 0 is full recovery.
the duration of the additional payments is based on the % of disability.
you can find out more from the fact sheets (D)here
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/iwguides.html

sick and tired · 09-30-2010, 03:40 PM

1171 Wrote:
sick and tired Wrote:Other than wc taking care of my surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. Am I entitled to anything else. I don't understand all this talk about ratings and settlements. Can someone please advise.

comp pays additional disability for those left with permanent impairment. the amount of impairment is determined by a doctor and expressed as a percentage.
100% is total impairment and unable to work in any capacity. 0 is full recovery.
the duration of the additional payments is based on the % of disability.
you can find out more from the fact sheets (D)here
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/iwguides.html

thank you 1171