Hi all!

I am new to the forum, but not new to my pain. I broke my hand at work in Jan 2014. I broke two of the metacarpals in my dominate hand as I was drilling through a metal sign at my handyman job. At first everything was working out, my boss quickly got me directions to the nearest hospital (I travel for my job) they x-rayed my hand and determined that I wasn't lying when I said I broke it. I was given pain medication and given an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon. We discussed my options and surgery to install a plate on one of the bones was the only way we could get function back in my hand.

I had the surgery and woke up in the most pain I have ever felt. They checked me for all the reasons they could think of why I would be in so much pain. Finally they knocked me out again and doped me up and sent me home. Over the next six months I complained of pain, I requested to be taken off of the Loritabs as I didn't want them to think that I was just pill searching. I tried all the other stuff they gave me and of course, nothing worked.

I obtained a workers compensation lawyer because I knew something was wrong and nothing was being done. I visited two other surgeons before one of them said RDS. Between visits I researched everything I could about this and I fit the criteria. I went through 2 nerve studies (or torture sessions as I called them) and finally was diagnosed by a neurologist a few months ago.

During this time I have been unable to work, since I cannot make a fist due to complications from the surgery (either a bound tendon or scar tissue). The hand specialist I see now (and approved by the workers comp insurance company) refuses to open my hand up to fix the movement issues because of the CRPS diagnosis.

This brings me to today, I am two years out from my injury. I cannot use my dominant hand. I cannot work in the field I was working in. I cannot work in the field that I graduated from college (Computer and Network Engineering, actually building servers and running wires). I am awaiting my first appointment with a pain management specialist and the insurance company wants to settle my claim. I have lost 5 teeth, I don't sleep, I'm almost to the point of depression (right now it's just the realization of what is happening to me).

My lawyer has researched CRPS and she knows that this can affect me for the rest of my life. She knows that it can spread to other body parts and she knows that I am only in my mid 30s with two small kids. Luckily I was paid very well at my job and the workers comp weekly benefits is enough to keep us alive (after we cut out almost everything from our budget)

The problem I am having with even toying with the idea of settling my claim is the 'what ifs'. I'm sure we have all been through those questions on the nights we can't sleep. I'm not looking to get rich from this, but I don't want my family to suffer because I cannot get back out there and pull OT to get them the things they want. I know in my demand from the insurance company I will need compensation for lost wages from the time of injury until the 400 weeks runs out. I will be requesting compensation for trade/vocational school to be retrained to a job that is not so 'hands on'. I will also be requesting compensation for pain management and the cost of another hand surgery (if I am able to get put into remission).


Has anyone had to deal with workers comp and their diagnosis of CRPS?

What kind of fight can I expect when I bring up my 'what if' scenarios?

How long should I request to visit the pain management doctor?

I know this is a lot to take in, but I've been holding a lot in lately and trying to get everything in order.