Got a letter today from my atty. with information from the other side giving me a list of possible jobs I could do that are sedentary. Of course each one pays a lot less then what I was making.
It also upsets me because 2 of the jobs were the same, 2 of the jobs I have no idea how to do. 1 job wasn't listed. One is part-time. So out of 6 jobs, I applied for one
My husband is upset because this injury has created a boat load of debt and I really feel like **** and I know that its not my fault. but I sure feel like it is. Oh! yes I got SSDI but not until after my WC case settles to determine the monthly amount.

I'm so sorry to hear of all your troubles. I guess states are different in that regard. Here if WC finds a less paying job then the one you lost they have to make up the difference. I hope you guys get through this...

Thanks Jimbo. The stress of all this sucks and makes my feet hurt and flair. Here I guess they pay you some sort of difference for 5 years if you find a lower paying job. Then your on your own. 2 of the jobs are for pc technicians. The only thing I know is once it stops working throw it away and get a new one.

Ha ha ha
I had to do that with my Dell a few weeks ago. It had a quick ending. Makes me mad about some stuff I list. I got a Toshiba now.
The job probably is IT where you'd be the support person people call.

Yeah I would be the person you would call and say sorry about your luck but its junk now. hahaha! why apply for something you know nothing about.

Just being nosy here but what kind do you have?

Oh...I'm so sorry. They should have to pay the difference between the two jobs...which is better than nothing even if it's only for a short time...and also pay for retraining if you need that too. Not saying they will...this is work comp we're talking about...but at least here in IL that's how the laws read. But if I were you I'd apply for them all...you know they won't hire you if you are unqualified and then, if you can get that in writing or even just from a phone call, that will be one more piece of evidence in your favor showing that these are jobs you CAN'T do because you are not qualified. Does that make sense?

It just sucks because I know what it's like to be sitting there, wanting more than anything for your life to just get back to normal, and to have people who just don't understand tell you what you SHOULD be able to do. They clearly do not understand just what sort of hell this thing is. It's not just about having a job where you sit...it's about being able to function well enough to DO the job, get TO the job, get ready FOR the job, and all those other little things. If there were a fire or emergency at your job, would you be able to get yourself to safety? Are you reliable enough (from a health perspective) to be able to get yourself to work every single day that you are schedule? There are just so many things that go into it that you take for granted when you are healthy.

I know...preaching to the choir...but just wanted to let you know that I totally get it and am sorry for what you have to deal with.

Today must be the day for hearing from attorneys because I heard from mine today about my case. I also heard from another attorney and I have to give a deposition next week for ANOTHER employee's work accident. Good times.

Also funny was that my employer's attorney said he cannot understand why I won't just "resign" and take more money in a settlement. Umm...what is so hard to understand about that? I want my life back to normal...job included...why exactly WOULD I want to just give it up? I'm hoping that in a few weeks I will be back to work...THEY are the ones that don't want me back. Sorry...but I like my job...so as long as I can get myself back there I don't really CARE whether they want me back or not...if I can do the job then they have no choice. I know they'll try to make me miserable...but I don't really care about that either. Once you've had to live through the HELL that is life with RSD the other stuff just doesn't really phase you anymore.

Catra,
I totally understand, my job let me go stating they could not find a modified position for me, after working a modified position for a year and a half. The only change was I started on my rollabout. My atty told me not to resign, so I don't know why yours tells you the opposite.
I'm not sure about applying when I don't meet there needs, but my friend told me the same thing so tommorrow I will when I don't feel like such a looser.
Hopefully tommorrow will be a better day. But boy if the stress hasn't caused alot of pain.

It's not MY attorney telling me to resign (though he mentioned I could get more money if I did)...it's THEIR attorney that is pushing it. And I mean pushing it HARD...but I've made it clear that it is not an option period.

As far as returning to work...my employer will not allow me to have a modified position. So when I go back it will be to do my regular job and I will only be asking for minor accomodations for my disability (be able to wear gym shoes, gloves, scarf, use walker, no longer than 9 hour shift, and no ladders). That will be tough...REALLY tough...but I am very stubborn and intent on doing it.

But don't get so down on yourself...you are not a loser. You have the best intentions and I can totally understand where you are coming from not wanting to apply to places you know you aren't qualified to work at. You don't want to waste your time or their's...but unfortunately the way work comp is they will use your good intentions against you. In the appeal decision in my case (which we are appealing) the judges reduced the award because they said my pain wasn't as bad as I said because I went back to work full duty without restrictions. All I wanted was to get back to work and not cause problems...and somehow that equals me being a liar...nice. So it's not that you are a loser...it's more that you are too good of a person and they can and WILL use that against you.

Sometimes you just need someone on the outside to give you advice about these things and make you see it differently. You guys on here always are always a great sounding board for me. I get so caught up in things and how stressed I am and the emotional side of things that I can't always see the whole picture. My dad is also someone I trust to help me find my calm in stressful situations. He has dealt with all these things from the HR side of things with his employer and has dealt with many lawsuits (not work comp...other stuff) and he helps me see the business side of things.

Here's hoping that tomorrow is a much better day for you. On the bright side of things...maybe one of these jobs will work out for you. I know how upsetting it is to not be able to do the job you loved...but just being able to get back a small sense of "normal" would probably feel great. Some employers...believe it or not...are not evil. Maybe you'll luck out.

My employer waits until you are "permanent and stationary" to offer you 1) reclassify (new job), 2) resign, 3) retire. If you take retire you get a medical retirement with ins. After 18 months I'm not permant and stationary, I have no idea which I would choose when the time comes but it'll definately be between retire and reclassify, NOT resign!

Good luck, a former coworker showed me her reclassify list and they were a bunch of jobs she couldn't do either.