Well, I haven't been on here in a long time, mainly because I just haven't had anything going on. I've finally found a decent pain management doc, so my pain levels in general are not excruciating most days, although the meds do leave me quite exhausted, as many here can relate!

Anyway...the last post I made here about this I questioned the settlement offers and process, and I have since spoken with my attorney who advised that we are absolutely not going to settle for such a low amount. His advice was that in my state (KS) a back injury is "worth" so many weeks worth of my pay multiplied by the percentage of my task loss. He did a rough 'guess-timate' which amounted to almost twice my former employer's work comp folks' last offer, and my lawyer says that is the worst case scenario, based on about a 30-50% task loss.

So...today I went to see a doc for an IME and impairment rating, and he says I am "un-employable" (His word!)
He said I am 100% disabled, cannot perform more than 4 hours of activity a day, with no constant movement or activity, no twisting, bending, pushing or pulling and no lifting more than 5 lbs at any time, and that I need to switch from sitting to standing to reclining or laying when and as often as needed, therefore I cannot do any sort of work. WOW. He straight out told me to apply for SSDI.

I am torn in my reaction to this. On one hand, I am not even quite 39 years old yet, and it is quite disheartening to think about being an invalid at my age. I'd much rather be able bodied than rich, but...on the other hand, since I am clearly not going to be able bodied again, it is nice to know that this could significantly help my case.

At least, either way, this is finally, after almost 3 full years, nearing an end,
and I just wanted to share that with my friends here!

Thanks to all for your advice and listening abilities!