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zest4life · 08-30-2007, 10:54 PM

Hello and thanks for your time. Im kinda in the middle of a wc claim...looks like Im headed to surgery for my back soon. So far wc has taken care of all my medical bills. I keep hearing talk about people getting attys to help with a claim...at what point does this become necessary?

puppygirl · 08-30-2007, 11:13 PM

hello zest,
i myself had to get an attourney about 3 months after my injury, i did this when they started denying treatment, and i had to switch doctors because i was just getting shots and pills that only covered the pain but never got it better.....my attourney actually referred me to a GREAT doctor, who has worked with my injury and i can tell its getting better! another tip, i wouldnt go for a "big name" attourney chances are, they will only deal with big claims first from big companies, if you have a small claim you may be considered a "small fish." hope this helps! Wink

zest4life · 08-30-2007, 11:17 PM

puppygirl Wrote:hello zest,
i myself had to get an attourney about 3 months after my injury, i did this when they started denying treatment, and i had to switch doctors because i was just getting shots and pills that only covered the pain but never got it better.....my attourney actually referred me to a GREAT doctor, who has worked with my injury and i can tell its getting better! another tip, i wouldnt go for a "big name" attourney chances are, they will only deal with big claims first from big companies, if you have a small claim you may be considered a "small fish." hope this helps!

thanks for your reply...but what your saying is as long as they continue to pay all the claims I dont need an atty? Would I be entiteld to any type of compensation after my recovery? Im sorry to ask so many questions but all this is new to me.

AQA · 08-30-2007, 11:28 PM

I am unfamilure with the laws of your state. From what I have read from others, attorney fees are regulated, Hence they only get a percentage of your benifits. I would not be looking for an attorney unless things are not going right. I suggest you educate yourself on your state rules and regulations governing workers compensation. You will find a tab at the top of this page titled info by state. That it a starting point. If things start not making sense, or you are having problems getting medical care, or problems with monetary benefits. That is when I would be looking for legal representation.

puppygirl · 08-30-2007, 11:48 PM

zest4life Wrote:
puppygirl Wrote:hello zest,
i myself had to get an attourney about 3 months after my injury, i did this when they started denying treatment, and i had to switch doctors because i was just getting shots and pills that only covered the pain but never got it better.....my attourney actually referred me to a GREAT doctor, who has worked with my injury and i can tell its getting better! another tip, i wouldnt go for a "big name" attourney chances are, they will only deal with big claims first from big companies, if you have a small claim you may be considered a "small fish." hope this helps!

thanks for your reply...but what your saying is as long as they continue to pay all the claims I dont need an atty? Would I be entiteld to any type of compensation after my recovery? Im sorry to ask so many questions but all this is new to me.

no problem! that makes two of us, i just got an attourney when i didnt feel i was getting the right treatment, and needed a direction, i would look into an attourney if the place you work is self insured or if you forsee any problems arising, there was another girl that was hurt the same day and time we have the same attourney, its not a bad idea to have one on your side, if the company has lawyers on their side then why not someone on yours? hope that helped! : )

snowbear · 08-31-2007, 02:36 AM

Hi and welcome to the board!!! Some questions for you... are they paying WC benefits to you while you're not working? What are they going to do to your back when you have surgery?

Also...beware!!! Your case worker from WC will start out being your friend...but VERY few are in your corner at the end of the work comp battle. Just be honest but don't let them twist your words around to use against you down the road.

Please answer the couple of questions above and also which state you're in...that way others who are more knowledgeable will better answer your questions.

Glad you're here and best of luck to you!!!

Lilly · (This post was last modified: 08-31-2007 07:51 AM by piedmontmountain.)

Morning Zest & welcome to the forum!
I didn't have an attorney at first either....as all seemed to be going well. THEN, I was assigned a new nurse case mngr who was a royal witch....the type who was soooo defensive that, everything you said to her was "taken-up" and she'd get huffy & accusitory and once told me I was faking my symptoms after the 3rd surgery! With the strike of one button on her PC ....may payments immediately stopped. I let it go a couple of weeks then asked the case mngr why may payments had stopped ( i knew who did it)? She and claims adjustor where unaware of this action. I got back-pay checks the following week.....but knew at that point, I had to protect myself....so I lawyered-up then ! WC was surprised that I made this move....but I needed to protect myself from their co-worker! I was told she was transferring to another job w/in WC to just hold tight....but no way....I felt I needed protection, which I did. Sooner or later they will start their "health-scare" tactics with you too...when they do.....get yourself a lawyer, pronto! Actually, I wish I had gotten one sooner...as now I don't have to talk to them on the phone, and they haven't bothered me at all since I got my lawyer. It lets you off the hook, and free of their constant phone calls wanting updates!
Good luck to you, Lilly Smile

ksgirl · 08-31-2007, 10:14 AM

Hi Zest and welcome! Everything was slowly getting done for me after I was injured, so I didn't get an attorney, even after waiting two months for approval for surgery. Then the wc i/c didn't send me a check for a month. I couldn't get a hold of my adjuster or her supervisor. I finally hired an attorney. He got the money they had held back and figured out that they haven't been paying me the right amount the whole time I've been injured.
I'm glad I got my attorney. It turns out there may be more compensation that I'm eligible that I didn't know about.
My suggestion would be to do a free consult with an attorney and see if you are getting what you should be. A lot of attorneys will talk with you and give free advice.
Best of luck!

08-31-2007, 10:35 AM

I can't speak for other lawyers, but it is my practice, and this has been consistent with other lawyers that I have worked with, that I do not charge a fee unless I obtain or preserve wage loss benefits. I have monitored files for years without ever receiving a fee. This may be true in your area. If this is the case, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that a knowledgeable professional is monitoring your file without any cost until the i/c actually stops paying or challenges your benefits. You should get a free consultation and see if this is the case in your area.

~~Still in Limbo~~ · 08-31-2007, 10:42 AM

Welcome to the Boards! The info. you have received above is absolutely correct, I just want to add one thing. Follow you gut feeling! If you feel things aren't going the way you think they should, or you notice things getting harder to get, calls not being answered, etc, then it's time! You'll be able to tell when things aren't right and get a Lawyer as soon as you notice, don't wait until things gt too far along!! Best of Luck, and I Hope Things go Well!! Wink