Mark in PA,

You are having a normal experience with Work Comp. Do you have access to your own doctor? Have you talked to a Work Comp attorney?

I would strongly suggest finding a Work Comp attorney who understands head injuries. Head injuries are very hard to get handled in a Work Comp situation. Does your employer have a disability program for employees?

Ask an attorney if your firing should instead be a "laid off due to disability?" This starts a clock for Social Security Disability. Some states do not allow an employer to fire an injured worker. Check this out with the attorney.

Also, find a brain injury support group and go with your girl friend. You both need to understand what is happening. Download Dr Glen Johnson's TBI Guide at www.tbiguide.com

Print it out and have anybody close to you read it.

Regarding attorneys, you might want to check with a personal injury attorney. Since you were going into work, this may not be a proper Work Comp situation. Employers try to use Work Comp because it protects them better by limiting the benefits to the injured employee.

At your age (over 50), Social Security considers you to not be retrainable. If you cannot return to your last job, then you may qualify for SSDI.

I am 54 and now on SSDI after a Work Comp head injury in 2001. Work Comp in California is a nightmare. The Governator (Ahnold) has made it very difficult for the injured to get legal representation. I hope PA is better.

Hang in there, you may be in for a long ride. The best you can do is wait and try to relax. Stay away from alcohol and other toxins while your brain tries to heal.

btw, Could you go by Mark in PA rather than Mark G? It confuses my brain damaged mind because I am also a Mark G. Just go to your profile and change your screen name. I see Mark G and think it is me. I quickly correct myself, but....