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Originally Posted by NurseKris
Unfortunately I am another one dealing with WC. My injury date was July 2013 and it has been a battle. Before you settle here are a few things I have come across during my war with WC but like Catra said laws differ from state to state. Also I was so lucky because my lawyer already knew about CRPS and won several cases involving CRPS.
The first thing I would do is make certain they are accepting responsibility for the CRPS. In my case they argued they were only responsible for the injury nothing else. In December a judge sided with us so now they finally have to cover the CRPS as well ( I was diagnosed in December 2013).
Another thing I have found helpful is save every document, every letter every scrap of paper related to your injury. I have a large plastic tote filled with file folders that are stuffed with paperwork. I also scanned everything in and saved it to a thumb drive because it is easier than lugging the tote everywhere.
Before you settle just remember that CRPS is a life long condition. You may go into remission but there is a risk for it to come back. I sat down with my husband and we estimated costs of treatments and medications and that number alone is more than most insurance companies are will to spend. When we were in negotiations to possible settle we asked for a number we had agreed upon plus full medical for CRPS. The full medical was something that I personally was not willing to budge on, but everyone is different.
My lawyer warned me that they will probably try make your life hell (sorry but this the best word I could think of) because they want you to get fed up and settle. I know that every case is different and mine may be worse than others and I hope yours is easier.
Don't be afraid to ask your lawyer questions because it is very easy to get confused in the wonderful world of WC. I know it can be hard to deal with WC in addition to the pain you are in and it sucks. Luckily there are many great people here that are always willing to offer info and support. I know sometimes it helps just knowing that you are not alone and there are people fighting the same fight.
Sorry to write a novel! Let me know if there is anyway I can help
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I have already experienced by own personal brand of hell from WC. They have missed payments, slow to respond for new appointments.....7 months to be able to get into the neurologist to get the diagnosis.
So far they have accepted responsibility for payments for the CRPS. My previous work injuries showed that I am not faking it. I have almost cut my pinky off and put a nail through the same finger, both times I was back at work the following Monday.
Like you I have a huge plastic tote with everything in it and a huge electronic file containing everything, including emails.
When I was coming up with numbers I was adding pain management therapy until retirement age. I figure that I would have been covered until I retired from work place injuries until then and it should be covered. My number that I finally came up with is 400K+.
It is not what I would feel comfortable with (like walking away with a smile) but it is a number that we can use to seek pain therapy, another possible surgery, cover the costs of re-education, and lawyers fee. My wife decided to go back to school to become a nurse after I injured myself. She will become the new bread-winner of the family and my income will be for play.