[catra121]

Boy...these past few weeks (well...the entire year really) have been quite a rollercoater for me. My RSD has gotten so much worse since this time last year, spreading from just being in my ankle to being now in my whole upper body. I was confined to a wheel chair and unable to even stand for months, bounced around from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was going on, and finally felt like I was on the right track once I found a compassionate doctor who is willing to take on the challenge of managing my medications, getting my symptoms under control, and get me back to functioning like a normal human being. Well...I AM on the right track.

But a couple of weeks ago I found out the appeal decision on my work comp injury went down SIGNIFICANTLY (work appealed is, not me) and that sent me into a tail spin emotionally. Not really the decision itself which is disappointing but definitely worth fighting...but the attitude of my attorney which is now frustratingly pessimistic. I understand it to a degree because he just lost a lot of money, but man up and fight is my response and instead he's acting like a scared little puppy with its tail between its legs. That's more disappointing than just a bad appeal decision. Then work comp stopped sending me TTD checks...which is frustrating because they have fallen behind as much as 4 weeks before for no reason and I can never tell if they are cutting me off or just behind. Apparently my attorney can't either so in the mean time I am in limbo with no money...and until I know for sure if they are just behind or terminating benefits I can't really work on a resolution except to have plans in place for either situation.

But I spent the last week putting all of that out of my mind and refocusing on my health and things are now improving. I know my lawyer doesn't care about my health, work comp certainly doesn't, and I just need to keep reminding myself of what is the most important thing. I hate when I start to let these other things get to me..I feel like I should know better but sometimes I just lose my control of those feelings. But then I think to myself that worst case scenario I lose my job and have no money but if I have my health (such as it is) and am surrounded by people who love me I am still really very lucky. So that's where I need to keep myself. If I let myself REALLY go down into the pits then I could lose everything and that would really suck.

Just needed to vent a little bit. Sometimes I live so much inside my head and I need to let it all out so I can really move on and put these things behind me. Thanks, everyone, for always being there to listen and help me cope with this pain and all that comes with it.

[Russell]

Catra.
I'm actually just letting you know that I read your post and have great sympathy for you.
Just curious as to how you found your attorney? I'm not in Il nor want to come off as a know it all but the state I'm in requires a form to be filed with the commission and sent to your attorney before payments are cancelled or changed...

[catra121]

That's the rule here too...which is why it's confusing as all heck when they just stop sending checks and "fall behind." I'm sure it's just more of their tactics to stress me out so that I eventually throw up my hands and say I give up. I won't because that's not the sort of person I am...but they sure do have a way of getting under my skin with their nonsense. I know that if they break the rules we file a petition and they have to pay fines and all...but in the mean time it leaves you hanging and THAT is annoying.

But thanks so much Jimbo. It's always good to have sympathetic ears.

[LIT LOVE]

If your check is more than 5 business days late call your attorney's office to have them inquire the status. If they won't follow through ask if you have permission to contact WC directly via letter asking about your missing check. Unless they've notified you of cessation of TTD, assume your benefits are ongoing. Send the letter via fax or certified mail, so that you can keep a record. I'm in a different state, but the WC laws in this circumstance seem similar...

[birchlake]

catra, vent away...........that is one of the things we all need to do once in a while.

Sorry to hear about your legal issues. But as you said, you need to concentrate on the fact that you are seeing some improvement in your condition.

That trumps all else. Keep fighting for what you deserve. We all need to.

[fmichael]

Dear Catra -

This may come as little consolation, but as I read some of the published and very "resultss orented" opinions that come out of the system, every appearace is given that Workers' Comp, like so much of Illinois government, is a rigged game, favoring those who can pay to play.

Personally, I think that the only solution would be a frontal attack on the state system in the federal courts, using an "as applied" due process challenge. But that would require convincing some clinical law profs at Northwestern that it's worth devoting 6 - 8 years of their lives to the project. Perhaps if their was some sort of a grass-roots media campaign from "mulked" (great word, check it out) claimants, something could happen, but sad to say, don't look to Springfield for any relief, or for that matter, the likes of the Tribune Co. for any favorable publicity.

Mike

[catra121]

Thanks Mike...that's essentially my take on things too. Won't stop me fighting of course but my expectations are set fairly low. I personally don't care too much about the money end of things (not looking for some big payday out of all this)...just want to get myself back to work and have them follow the rules in the mean time so that I can pay my bills. I've been having to pay all the medical OOP so that certainly hasn't helped the situation any but...whatever.

I'm definitely improving in terms of function...I can now walk 10 minutes straight (once a day) with the walker and am able to get myself around the first floor of the house for short walks to the kitchen, bathroom, etc. (also with the walker). I have a long way to go before I can be on my feet for a 9 hour shift at work...but I will get there. The sooner the better so I don't have to worry about paychecks anymore...but I can't go back until I can do the job. I don't care if I'm slow, if I have to use a walker, if I have to wear gloves and a scarf (and look like a thundering looney) to protect myself from the cold air at the front of the store...but as soon as I can do the job I will be back there and then (regardless of any awards, settlements, whatever) I will be the winner. I'm sure my attorney won't see it that way...but I will.

So...yeah...I'm not overly optimistic about how things will turn out on the legal end but there's only so much I can do about that. All I can really do is ensure that I am doing everything I can on my end to get myself back in shape for work. That includes keeping my mental health up and not letting myself fall off the deep end because of things I can't control. There are people who are willing to help me out with money if needed...I just hate to take the money since I know that my ability to pay it back will hang on how all the other things turn out. And I just don't want to do that to people I care about, you know?

But it will all work out in the end. How will it work out? I don't know...it's a mystery.

[alt1268]

Catra,

I know what your going through. I am a little bit behind you. when the hurricane was coming, I found out my filled a petition to terminate my wages, the hearing got postponed, etc.
then I got ****** and started writing my representives and senate. It's now been 2-3 weeks. I've gotten 1 reply. so next step.
Get a game plan, get ******, and go for it. Grab the bull by the balls and tell your atty. sometimes you got to look outside the box.