Old Injury now needing surgery - will I get payments?

[amyjazz2000]

I had an injury 12 years ago. I have been in pain ever since. I am in Texas so it is still covered. I will be having surgery in a few weeks for an ankle fusion.

My question is this: My Ortho doctor took me off of work for the next 3 months for sure when he filled out the paperwork. I have not been working the last 2 years while in college (I am one of the older ones going back to school). Will I be able to get any type of supplimental income? I have had a temp job here and there but nothing steady. What will it be based on? I have not worked for the company that the claim is through in over 10 years.
I recently graduated from college and while I was doing my clinical rotations I discovered there is no way I can do 3 12 hour shifts with the pain that I was having so, here I am waiting for surgery! Hopefully my 4th and last on this ankle!
(I did get an impairment rating and payment about 10 years ago) Does this mean I will never get any type of compensation?

[UndercovrAngel]

Amy,

First things first. Is this ortho that you are seeing part of your old employers network of WC Dr's, or is someone that you have been seeing outside of WC ??

Second, is he an approved WC dr here in the state of TX ??

Is this being done under WC??

If none of the above, there is nothing that you can do to receive benefits of any kind from WC. You would need to apply for state disability to get any assitance.

If yes, your ortho will have to present to the IC, medical proof to the IC that this is connected to your original injury, and if approved and you are eligible for TIB's, then you will be reimbursed at your rate of pay 12 years ago.

Angel ^j^

[amyjazz2000]

I had to change treating doctors. So, my ortho doctor I am now seeing is my Treating Doctor and has been approved through WC. I don't know how to tell if it is out of network or not. Yes, it is in Texas. I don't remember much of the process when I first had my injury - due to being on LOTS of pain meds and very young and did not know how the system worked or even had internet at home during this time...so I basically did what ever they told me to do and did not know I could do anything different. Man, my rate of pay 12 years ago is a 1/3 of what I make now! But, I won't complain - at least there will be some money coming in!

Thank for your reply = and I hope this helped explain some stuff!

[AQA]

The issue of "being in a network or not would not matter". The reason I say that is because the networks did not start untill 2005/2006 and you were seeing the dr. before that.

The issue of TIBS is interesting. TIBS are to provide income to injured workers until they are at MMI or 104 weeks. I understand your question, but do not know. I will be watching to see what the other responses are.

Take Care

[Still in Limbo]

I'm going to take a Guess, as I'm not in Your State, but My state would go Back to the Original Injury Date, and If there are Any Monetary Payments Due You, it would be Based on Your Income at that Time. I Hope Someone Comes On Soon from Your State with the Correct Answer, and I Wish You the Best!!