Another QME:( Not sure what to do
 

Hi,

Just recevied in the mail another request for a QME to be done by the same doctor who did 2 previous IME's. I am so so tired, after these long 9 years dealing with Workers Comp and its delaying tactics. Sent my lawyer an-e-mail , that I do not want to do this anymore. No more QME, IME, sleep sudies...I just want this to end.

All this stress is making my RSD pain go through the roof. I just want this to end.

Am I crazy?

What kind of report did this same dr file the other times?

fair & truthful - or was it totally off the wall & full of untruths?

Did you get a copy to read for yourself, so you can have your atty make corrections as needed?

I didn't know about asking for a copy the first 2 times and finally saw one of them later on, what a bunch of baloney!!
#1 was from a real specialist and was very good.
#2 & #3 were by a less than stellar MD.
First time his office was sleazy and smelly:eek:
but 3 yrs later same MD & office was all remodeled:rolleyes:
I wondered if all his money was coming in from IME exams LOL


basically that guys' report said I was looking for an easy job, duh I was injured ! (chronic by this time.)

But unfortunately you need to go thru with these , if very far away maybe atty can stress that it must be as close as possible due to pain increasing afterwards.

Do you go to you treating dr after so they can document any increase in pain or visual sx? that is the best way to have it documented, photos w/time/date stamps too.

Thanks for the reply :)

Both times I saw this doctor for the IME's, he had no clue,,, read my file from my worker's comp doctor and pretty much agreed with everything.
First thing the said to me " wow, you won the lotto on the wrong end,"

Last time I met my attorney, he thinks that due to the change in laws, the doctor may change his tune.

I just cannot deal with this any longer. It is one thing after another. My lawyer tells me "do this one more thing, and it will be over," well, it is never over. One thing leads to another, to another...it's been 9 years now. Mentally, I can no longer handle it.

I sent my attorney an e-mail, to make an appointment to settle my case. I wrote that I am no longer doing this. Let see what he says. Thing is , it is to his benefit to drag my case. He is my second attorney (my first one retired). The more he drags, the more money he makes.

I am at the point that I don't care about the money. The insurance company no longer pays for physical therapy or any other treatments, since I am permanent and stationary. They pay for my medications, but not every month. There are months when I need to pay for them myself, mostly, my neuropathic pain cream.

I am not sure if I am making sense, I just want these people (insurance, lawyers) out of my life. The stress and the pain it brings me is not worth continuing with this unending case.

I do have copies of all my IMEs, depositions, studies.

Thanks again. Makes me feel better to know that there is someone out there who cares:)

Attys only get a % and that stops at a certain amount.

Please don't settle for less than you deserve or need, pvt ins may not cover you later on.

Try to not get stressed , I know it's a crazy system ,I was thru it for a RSI/TOS injury but the future is what matters and your health.

Take care.

Thanks again Jo*mar! so very much!

When my first lawyer retired, and he reffered to my current one, I received a call from my first lawyer's paralegal. She said "I told him to settle your case, before he retired. If I were you, I would drop your current attorney and represend yourself. The judge wont allow the opposing lawyer to take advantage of you. To get to 70% disability, it will be a long fight, and not a sure thing. You can keep going, but is it worth it ? I dont think so."

I did go to the Worker''s Comp Board and spoke to the person who counsels the general public. He asked me to give my current lawyer another chance, which I did. I have a copy of all the e-mails I have sent to my lawyer. Everytime I call his office, I follow-up with an e-mail.

Thing is, my lawyer does not move. The opposing lawyer files motions left and right, and mine does nothing, unless if he has to respond to a motion.

For my last hearing, I had to do all the work. Go to my doctors office, pick up a letter and a report and drop them at my lawyers office. He came to me and said a settlement could not be discussed because Medicare had to calculate my medical. I told him I did not qualify for Medicare, since I do not qualify for Social Security, per my previous attorney. Don't you think this is a crucial piece of information that he should know?

Have you ever heard of someone dropping their laywer and representing themselves ? Currently I am rated at 67% disability.

He as to share the fee with my first lawyer, and I believe the fee is from 10 to 15% from my settlement. My first lawyer will get the bulk of it, reason why I think my current one is just looking the other way.

I sound like a broken record, and I apologize.

Thank you again!

I've been done w/the system since 05, and I didn't know all the ins & outs back then.
I was not injured enough to have to endure a long term fight, 3 yrs of it was enough for me.

What kind of injury caused the RSD for you?
You don't need to give any specifics though. Best to not post any specifics or drs/atty names while you have an open case going.

I guess how far you need to go all depends on your financial circumstances and if you are in long term pain/disability.

I would make up a list of what care, or meds, or treatments you might need long term and put some costs to that.
Figure out a per year amount and see if it fits into your budget or not.

For me making out a list and doing a pros & cons helps me to see better where I stand.
Otherwise it might just be a emotional decision and not be the best one for you long term.


Paperwork-
I did get a cheap fax machine for sending & receiving paperwork, saves a lot time & of driving around. Driving was one of my issues w/ the RSI stuff.

There is a way to set up windows to do Faxes via email but I haven't explored it very deeply.
Probably can find details about it @ Microsoft.com or a web search about it.


In the long run, do you gain anything or lose anything by settling now vs waiting longer.

Yes I know many wc attys are happy to sit back and let whatever happen and just collect there % of it...:mad:
Mine was one of those and I only had dial up back then and had no clue about a lot of this stuff, just trusted the "pros" to do their job..:(

You state website for comp should have the % amounts & the top amount allowed.
I think mine was 22% for atty but limited to 5k max.

I got 32k and he got his 5k- personally I don't think he did enough to even earn 2k..
Basically I got paid the yearly wages that I lost from not being able to work.
But nothing for future, or if I ever get a new job and having to start at lower wages, or only able to do part time work.


I can only suggest making that pros & cons list before making a quick decision out of frustration & fatigue.

Hi Jo*mar,

Thanks for continuing this conversation with me :)


My RSD was caused by a fall (a torn meniscus).


I will make the list you suggest, and ask my family to do the same.

I will post if/when I get a response from my laywer.

Have a good weekend.