This is exactly why I hesitate to get an attorney. I cannot take any more issues. What I have to do to deal with CRPS is enough. The attorney I hired to take care of my mother's estate attempted to rip me off for 4k for doing nothing.

Someone here, local to me raved about her attorney, but sadly would not share the name with me when I asked.

I recommend purchasing a current WC NOLO guide for your state if one is published if you refuse to hire an attorney.

If Vocational Rehabilitation is not something WC must provide in your state, you can always contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Training office for an assessment.

Feel free to pm if you're not 100% certain that you might not qualify for SSDI or SSI.

I would strongly encourage getting an attorney because WC is so hard to navigate. Not only that...but WC will not only mislead you but can LIE to you and try to get YOU to say something that they then twist around...and it's totally legal for them to do that. As stated before...attorneys get nothing until YOU do and whatever you get WILL be more for having an attorney than whatever you could get on your own. Attorneys will also be able to guide you on your options and will handle all communications with WC...which in and of itself can be a HUGE relief off of you. I've had issues with attorneys in the past too...so I agree that you should research or interview several before choosing one. You'll definitely want one who is familiar with RSD and has had similar cases before. But believe me...it's ALWAYS better to have one than not have one when dealing with WC.

If your doctor (or was it WC's doctor?) says you can work part time sedentary work then there's not a lot you'll be able to do unless you can demonstrate why that ISN'T true (either trying to get a part time sedentary job and seeing what happens or get a contradicting opinion that states you can't...something like a Functional Capacity Exam). An attorney will be able to guide you on which of those is the best option. FCEs are expensive...so heads up on that.

I am sorry you are going through this...I am in the midst of a battle with WC that likely will not be resolved for YEARS and in the mean time am going through my regular private insurance and trying to get long term disability benefits approved (was denied, have another lawyer for that, so complicated). So I totally get it. If you need to talk, you can always message me. The rules are different in every state...but I've found sometimes just talking things through can help.

Hugs.

Right now I"m in a chronic pain functional rehab program. Most of us are in WC. Those who resisted getting an attorney have had SO many more issues and had SO many more things denied. Not only that, w/o an attorney YOU have to deal with them.

My lawyer handles all of it. I don't talk to WC at all. Ever. As soon as I signed him on, that was it. My doc and he talk to them. If they are denying a service that we feel strongly that I need, then he puts the pressure on them. And since he can take them to a hearing at court, it usually will work. We've threatened 2 hearings and they've caved both times, which means they DID know that I needed those treatments, otherwise they would have gone to court.
Those are not things that we, as patients, are equipped to handle. You may find that your work was able to terminate... I don't know the rules for your state. But you may find that they didn't follow the law. And a lawyer will have much more intimate knowledge than we do.

Look for lawyers that are experienced in WC, have been doing it for more than 10 years.

Look for one that is certified as a Super Lawyers. Get a free consultation.

Your friend wouldn't share? Mean. But check on Yelp. Read reviews.