Hi Gram, W.C. is under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Labor, and has been enacted by the federal Government but it is up to each state to administer the program. I don't know your entire situation, but in most states the employer can be insured through the state fund or self-insured. I really hope your workplace is not self-insured because that adds another level of buearacracy (spelled wrong but to tired to get the dictionary) to an already complex situation. I believe what the lawyer was trying to say is that W.C. cases are not tried in any type of court but are decided in hearings held by the Industrial Commission which is part of the W.C. set up. There are three levels of hearings that can take place if a treatment or medication is disputed. I have been in this system with a self insured employer for over 8 years and last month completed a research paper on the topic. I don't know it all, but I know some of it. I would advise that you find a lawyer that deals strictly with W.C. cases. They usually work for "free" and if any type of monetary judgement is issued take their cut from that. The amount that they can take to get paid is mandated by state law. My attorney has become a very strong advocate for me and given much good advice. Let me know if I can clarify anything for you. Be sure you do it quick, my brain sure isn't what it used to be! Peace out, Lisa

Great advice. In RI, the insurance company pays all attorney fees. Any monetary awards go to the victims (a pittance), and a separate payment is awarded to the attorney. Both are paid directly from the insurance company. Thanks for explaining about the difference between self-insured vs. state funded, I didn't know about that. Nor did I know about the 3 levels of hearings.

Neurotalk has a WC board for anyone looking to hire a WC attorney.

I'm a gov't employee. Postal service. & there is a third party involved who caused the accident. Every time I think it can't get anymore complicated, someone else gets in to stir the pot. I am privileged to have to deal directly with the U S Dept of Labor.
The attorney to whom my Atty referred me seemed like a keeper/knows what he's doing guy, but we haven't decided to retain him yet. It is hard dealing with physical issues, all this paperwork is power stress trip.
Thanks
gram e

Well I did have mental struggles with anxiety and depression pre rsd and with it well it is bad right now again. I have had enough therapy and treatment pre and after the rsd to write the book yet it is hard to apply sometimes if that makes sense.
With the rsd it gets confusing for me what should be true fears and what becomes irrational. In any regards I really am working on staying in the day. I am a worrier of the future and regardless of what may or may not happen it does not help me in the now. When I am going through a time where panic is so high I try to self talk and do deep breathing I learned in my biofeedback. Also use the support of others by calling someone. For me my panic at times can be a build up of things that I did not process in an appropriate way at the time. So trying to not let things build up is important. If you are starting to feel depressed,anxious,etc trying to face it at the time and work on ways to help relieve some of it.
As for doing things that are normal in life but feeling overwhelmed I feel the same. So for me making small goals and trying to make set plans which can be flexible but also give a road map for the day or things that need to be accomplished can feel less scary.
Trust me I know this is all easier said then done. Really I should be the last one giving advice since I don't take it often but just trying to pass on what I have learned. Sending peaceful thoughts to all