Update : Next step.....will it hurt?

[leavntn]

I was injured in the state of Tennessee:
Hi
After 18 years of employment injury free--In mid July I fell at work and ruptured my Posterior cruciate ligament in left knee .I have been to 2 Ortho Doctors both said surgery was not an option. The ligament will/ may grow back together as scar tissue in 4-5 years. With possible future complications of Arthritis and cartilage degeneration.

As of 11/18/08 Dr. has placed me at MMI and given me a disability rating of 15% for leg and released me to return to restricted duty at work
But given permanent restrictions as to a sedentary job with no climbing, kneeling or lifting and standing no more than 30 minutes a day.

Due to these restrictions my employer said there is nothing for me to do at work.
I work in a factory and there are no sitting jobs and I have no office skills. So slim chance of ever going back.
Plant Manager said just go home and if anything changes we will call you.

That being said I am still receiving my weekly WC check so I have not pushed the issue, how long should this continue?
The owner of the company has talked to me a couple of times and said
” I haven’t forgotten you but I am working on your stuff” - I take that to mean he is talking about a settlement.(company is self insured so that is why he is involved)

I assume when they make me a settlement offer they will stop these checks.
will they ask me to resign?
Should I ask them to fire me and not contest it so I can get UE to help me find a job within my restriction as there is no Vocational rehab/ training in Tn

Any help would be appreciated
Chris.

[Cycler]

THe standard of care of UNSTABLE or very symptomatic PCL tears is surgical reconstruction. Orthos with subspecialty training in sports medicine are more likely than general orthopedists to recommend surgery as they do that surgery all the time while a general may not do one his entire career. Agressive PT returns most non-operated cases to pretty much full activity - i athletes anyway.

Is there some mitigating factor with your injury that precludes surgery ?

[leavntn]

Is there some mitigating factor with your injury that precludes surgery ?

Hi Cycler

I have had 3 unexplained blood clots .
2 pulmonary emboli -First in 2004 also with a DVT in left leg. 2nd pulmonary embolism was 11/2008 while I was off on WC.
So I am on high dosage lifetime coumadin therapy. He didn't come out and say my blood was a factor, but I don't think I could have my knee totally immobile for a long period without getting another clot.



Both Drs were from a very highly regarded group practice,
2nd Doc was sports med.
They sent me to PT 4 weeks with 1st dr and 6 weeks with 2nd.both ended with more pain and swelling.
Sports Dr said PT WOULD NOT HELP BUT TO GO ANYWAY JUST TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! He also said surgery was only indicated for people with multiple ligament damage and for elite athletes. If i had torn mcl or acl as well. My knees have a tendency to hyper-extend on their own, so my knee is really unstable now. And my leg is too big to fit in a brace. The PT said I have plenty of muscle strength, my ligaments are just too loose. (My daughter inherited this from me and she had her knee rebuilt at the same clinic at age 15)

I have applied for SSDI,no verdict yet. But I would like to find a few hours a week part time job. (Under the $900 limit for SSDI) Don't have a clue what I might do, but I need to get out of the house. Before my brain turns to total mush.....

[Cycler]

I see, well that explains it .

[leavntn]

Yesterday I was given a settlement offer of just over $62,000 and lifetime medical. I was quite shocked that this was their first offer. I accepted it right there on the spot.

My ER is self insured, so I think that has really helped the whole process go more smoothly. I was told that I am welcomed at all company functions and can visit my coworkers whenever I like. That made me feel good that there are some caring ERs out there.

Friday jan 30 will be my last day of employment and they told me to take advantage of their LTD policy. I'm the most upset that we'll be losing our health insurance. I am uninsurable because of other health problems.

I still haven't heard from SSDI, but I made sure the settlement was worded so there won't be a SS offset.

I'm sad about not being able to work anymore, but I came through the WC process as easily as possible. I wish it was the same for all IWs.

[Still in Limbo]

I'm Glad You are Happy with the Settlement Outcome, and it does seem that You had a Great Employer! As far as being Disabled, it's been a Long Process for Me, I was Injured at 42, and I'm 46 now, and still not Used to being Disabled! There will be Good Days and Bad, but they all Balance Out in Time even if it doesn't seem so at the Moment. Being Totally Disabled as I am is a Full Time Job in itself, just trying to get through a Day with the Least amount of Pain. The One Bright Spot I have been able to See, and has Helped Me Out many Days is that I get to Spend More Time, and be More Helpful in My Family's Lives. Hopefully You will be able to Find Some kind of Work, even if it's Part-Time, to get You by. My Very Best to You, and I Hope All Goes Well!!

[leavntn]

I now realize what my wife has been through to keep our family going all these years. I'm 39 and we just had our 20th anniv. When I worked i left the house at 5 AM and she dealt with our girls (now 18 and 13) every morning alone while holding down a job herself. Now she spends her days off dealing with me. Shuffling us from one Dr to another, and handling the endless piles of paperwork from my disability.

I love to cook so I've been sitting in a rolling chair in the kitchen to cook and wash dishes. She still won't let me do laundry!!!!

My passion is photography and I've learned you can take some awesome pics while sitting in your car....

[jayne]

you are very young so expect a fight from SSDI....I really would check into voc rehab from your state hopeing they could find something to do with photography for you good luck

[leavntn]

There is no voc rehab in TN. And I have a laundry list of health problems that I have not mentioned before.

The TDOL actually advised me to apply for SSDI when I told her of my other ailments.

My WC injury was the straw that broke the camel's back as far as my health goes.

I am restricted to being on my feet only 30 min a day. I spend that much time walking to the bathroom from the Lasix. When I do too much, I pay dearly.

I'm prepared for a fight though if need be. I know that TN has one of the highest denial rates in the country for SSDI.

[jayne]

you may be suprized....I wish you luck have you started the process?