Workers Comp Help
Back Injury Causing Permanent Disability
My wife is writing this for me as she can type much faster and her spelling is better. She is able to put my story into words so others can understand what I am trying to say. I was injured on October 13, 1997. Fortunately for me my wife worked as a paralegal and was able to help me with my case.
Working with the work-comp insurance company was not a problem. I had 6 back surgeries and a spinal cord stimulator put in. Unfortunately, because of my permanent work restrictions I was found permanently disabled thru social security. I tried to work with the DVR and be re-trained. I have severe learning disabilities so I could not get thru school at a college level.
The problem I see with workmen's compensation laws is that they are so different in each state. Also, most of us don't know what are rights are. We shouldn't have to hire attorneys to explain it to us. Work-comp purpose was to help the working person and not make money for attorneys. Now, I am going to try to receive perm-total. I am only 38 years old and would rather work. But an employer does not want somebody who cannot perform the job. I was always a hands on worker. I loved driving truck. I was earning about $20.00 a hour. Our work-comp system reduces our earnings and often makes us feel that we are trying to get something for nothing.
Those who are suffering from pain can relate to me. No dollar amount is worth the pain that I still live with. My self-esteem and my ability to support my family is destroyed. No health insurance, no life insurance, and my credit gone. We need work-comp laws that are standard across the country. We need laws that simply state our rights and monies we can receive. We need better benefits when we are permanently disabled. I for one do not believe the state has the right to decide the "weekly" amount we can receive once a permanent or partial permanent disability is agreed upon. Why not a lump sum?