Oh, Jace, if I could I would just give you a big hug.

We had to settle because even the deposition gave me the most intense stress migraines. In them I made all these statements, believing them. But then, my husband would read the written depositions, and he would later question my statements. I would later realize I was wrong. Brain injury me made the worse deposition witness.

So yes, I could never go to trial. But after the settlement, we were so far from made whole. The amount after lawyers, health insurance, car insurance, and all was so little.

It was maddening. Now I begin to wonder if this 23 months is the beginning of a permanent disability. My doctors say not to give in and that the brain is amazing, so I will hold on.

I understand---all this training, graduate school, and unpaid leave from work. I can feel that they are about to fire me (accommodations, ADA coordinator and the department are on the verge of figuring it all "out" for me). I am doing my therapies, working hard to improve, and trying to adapt to new ways of doing my job should I return.

It feels utterly hopeless---I know. I still feel I am suspended. Not like before and not re-entering.

Lesson learned-We decided to get the maximum of uninsured drivers insurance possible so that should we ever get in an accident again, this would never occur.

BE well---

Don't reproach yourself. No matter what you do, the insurance people will find someway to screw you out of what you've paid for. The field is tilted against us - completely.

So sorry to hear these stories. Double victimisation.
Be strong. No one can take that away from you (us!)

So sorry for your losses Jace and everyone. PCS and accidents and the whole brain injury deal is very, very life changing.

Jace, in time, you might be able to teach again. It might not be the big classroom like you had, but even tutoring or small groups.
You never know.

Take care

poetrymom

Hi Jace,

Wow..truly UNBELIEVABLE!!! I felt so bad for those of you who suffered once again with nothing to show for your continued troubles. I have not gotten to the lawsuit yer, but I tremble at what is possible now. I hope those of you who didn't receive just compensation for your accidents can find some other way to help with the expenses of daily living and life.

Jace, between your neurologist/ doctor telling you the results of your latest neuropsychology tests and your inability to return to work, you should more than qualify for SSD. I applied twice, (first time with my husband, second with a lawyer) and I was rewarded SSD the second time just recently. I believe it was because I had Neuropsych testing to "prove" the extent of my brain injury, as well as qualifying for Neuro rehab.

Please give the SSD another try; a lawyer may help you get this, and it was nice not to have to do the whole process again by myself ( with my husband's help). I was just required to show changes that occurred between the first time I filed and the second time, which was primarily the Neuropsych tests.

It is so helpful to have this income to help support my family, since I cannot work. And it gave me a sense of relief and the ability to feel like I could make some contribution to my family instead of always taking from it ( for medical expenses and time away for rehab).

I wish only the best for you, and for the rest of us who have not reached this lovely point yet. I am keeping you and the others who have had less then favorable results with your lawsuits in my thoughts and prayers.

Yes - I could have sued the guy for an amount above what his insurance covered and I would have probably received a court's order for a hefty settlement BUT in my state right after that happened he would have been able to declare bankruptcy and I would have received NOTHING. It would have been very stressful for me to have decided not to settle so that I could continue through the deposition and court process to receive NOTHING.

I now carry a $1 million dollar car insurance policy but that is little consolation. If I had known then what I know now I would have carried a hefty policy BEFORE the accident I was in.

I was naively under the impression that because I was a very good driver that another person's insurance/liability would have to pay for any injuries they caused. As we all know now, I was wrong.

This is one of the things on my list that I want the world to know - that our insurance system is BROKEN.

And @berkelybrain - I had an attorney who was experienced with brain injury who taught me how to be deposed.

I agree that the legal system is not supportive to tbi patients. Unfortunately, our entire bureaucratic society is not. This is something that MUST change.

EsthersDoll, you are so right, the insurance system is broken, also until my daughter was hurt in an accident I just assumed things and my insurance agent hardly explained anything, my fault as I should have asked and known everything.

I have to do 2 depositions and am dreading it as I cannot think properly, get easily confused and memory is shot.

EsthersDoll is absolutley right on this. I think a lot of us thought the same way until something like this happens.

For those of you giving depos - are these to the other drivers insurance co? or your own UIM?

Please, everyone, hire your own attorney. Do not rely on an attorney provided by your car insurance company - they have their own agenda and their agenda is not to take care of you, despite what the commercials on TV say about it.

Also, make sure that your attorney has real life experience including other clients who were tbi patients. Make sure that they know how to work with you - and to teach you how you can succeed during the depos and other court proceedings.

I am sorry and I can relate to it all! It is all bad for this type of situation. I was told at beginning of my situation that the insurance is not anything unless you get hit by a millionaire with the highest coverage. Then if you try to fight they will turn on you and do a countersue on YOU!!Then you do not even get bills paid, lawyer, court fees etc. SUX

I had been forced to get a lawyer to even get any diagnosis! In return I have cognitive impairments that can not get better. Because I had to wait a year to get ANY diagnosis besides "Depression"! So I then developed more diagnosis as I went medically neglected for a year.

By the time I got diagnosis I could not see any real Brain speciality MDs I only had a law neurologist for lawyer. I got to see a real neurologist last month to try to get into a Concussion program. NOPE! now my TBI is to old! (anything after 2years)

I feel your pain and frustration. This is when I really got spiritual healing and look to the Higher Power.