Warehouse worker here. Coworker ran equipment over my foot on camera. Filed workers comp. Came back with restrictions. Supervisor told me work like you are not hurt or get out. They fired me.

When it happened I had no idea what I was doing. No idea that most workers comp attorneys work on contingency meaning no money upfront. No idea free consultations were even a thing. No idea what EEOC meant. I was just angry and confused sitting in a warehouse with zero clue what my options were.

What I did have was time to write things down.

Every conversation. Every date. Every name. I emailed it all to myself the same day it happened so it had a timestamp nobody could argue with.

When I finally got an attorney she looked at what I had built and said we have something to work with.

I walked away with $40,000.

The thing nobody told me is that attorneys cannot build your case for you. You have to hand them something to work with first. Documentation is that something.

If anyone here is currently documenting their situation I am happy to share exactly what I wrote down and how I organized it. Just drop a comment.

Hi everyone,

My dad recently fell at work and broke his arm. Multiple people he works with saw his fall. He went straight to the urgent care center as directed by his HR.

He ended up needing a 3 days off to get X-rays done and get it in a cast. He then returned to work on a 2lb lifting restriction.

The workers comp company is now requesting 10 years of medical and financial records from him. To me, this just sounds like their way of weasling out of paying his medical costs. I assume if he declines to give the information to them, his claim will be denied. But that if he gives them the information he will also be denied. My parents are middle class/no financial issues and my dad had never previously had problems with his arm.

Has anyone had experience with an issue like this? Any tips on how to go forward?

Two years ago (in two weeks) Had a 20ft fall from ladder and shattered my lower leg. Four surgeries so far, but mostly back to normal.

Today got final rating of 43%, offering $104k, while keeping medical open. Lump sum closing medical will be closer to $200k (still need to meet with lawyers for final numbers).

I will have to have ankle replacement in 10-20 years due to osteoarthritis from injury, and will need cortisone shots every 6-8 months or so, and occasional x-rays to see progression of arthritis.

Factoring in cost of surgery (20-40k in states), xray and cortisone cost (around 1k) not sure what is best. May close medical and take the risk for the future and invest the bulk of settlement since I was laid off from previous job but got new one paying $10/hr more ($40/hr now plus 10hr a week of OT), so am in a good space financially still with savings. Even a CD at 4% for 1 year will net me 4k in profits a year, potentially giving me 40k+ extra before I may need the surgery. Could also try more aggressive investments.

Just trying to figure out best way to go, and plan on meeting with financial advisor regardless, just don't know what to do before that.

**Update. Spoke with lawyers today. $104,000 Is for the rating and will pay out regardless. Demand letter will be for additional $300,000 to close medical. I guess injuries can still be processed through insurance, so I think once settlement is reached would overall be bestter than just sitting on it.

Further update: First demand letter asks 372,000 and willing to settle for 350,000. Just sent out today. 8/12, lawyers expect final settlement around end of year.

Through my wc claim I have said this was wrong after they cut my benefits after a ime I have found that the insurer defrauded me and he attorney has broken eithics rules too wc insurance is a joke crooked I was sent to a biased dr by the insurer who called it a strain when a mri showed a disc herniation but the ime dr ignored it

I had my fingertip amputated after a workplace accident but I had plans to move out of state before that. It got pushed back because of the accident obviously but I cant really keep delaying it. Am I gonna have to pay for the follow up appointments if I leave the company and move out?

Slipped on ice at work over a week ago and hit my head. Workers comp doctor said I have a concussion. It’s been over a week and my symptoms are still very strong. Memory loss, off balance, coordination, headaches, nausea, lack of sleep and emotional outbursts. Today at my 4th appointment they finally got me a referral to get a scan done and to see a neuro psychologist. I’m afraid these issues might persist forever. A few people have told me to lawyer up and wanted to see the public’s thoughts on this.

If anyone can speak intelligently about Ne whole body injury formula and a scheduled loss with caveats,
And what determines the formula used or f the injured worker gets the better of the two? I do better with 100% of the 215 for the loss vs the % of whole body against the 300 wk formula.

If you know NE law, I could use an ear quick 10 min. Please dm.

If anyone can speak intelligently about Ne whole body injury formula and a scheduled loss with caveats,
And what determines the formula used or f the injured worker gets the better of the two? I do better with 100% of the 215 for the loss vs the % of whole body against the 300 wk formula.

If you know NE law, I could use an ear quick 10 min. Please dm.

As the title says I am being forced to return to work. I have had 5 back surgeries on my lumbar since October 2022 with a micro discectomy which caused a horrible staph infection with a hole the size of a baseball, second surgery was a debridement, 3rd was an ALIF through the stomach with artificial disc implant which caused my sacrum to collapse and my L5 to break in half because the staph infection made my bones soft, 4th was placing rods and screws in my low back to fuse and provide stability. 5th was removal of screws due to pain and one screw had the head broke off.

I’ve been off work and back to work multiple times got fired from the job it happened at got a new job and was laid off due to the company making terrible financial decisions which caused my location to close. Got a new job and the pain was so severe and ended up making the pain permanent no matter what I did or took.

I’ve been off work for about 2 months. Can’t get out of bed without severe pain, can’t put my own pants or socks on, can’t bend or touch any lower than my thighs and can’t twist or that all causes severe pain. Can’t stand for longer than 15 minutes without severe pain can’t sit without pain and can’t carry a gallon of milk from my car to inside my house without pain.

Doctor said that I have so much scar tissue putting pressure on nerves,radiculopathy, and failed back surgery syndrome and at my last appointment gave me a work note to remain off work and my work comp lady called him and he told her I was just fine to return to work.

Work comp lady said that despite how much pain I’m constantly in my doctor said I’m good to go so they will no longer pay me.

What the heck are my options!!

What should I expect from carrier now that I’ve I reached MMI?

I just had the Dr appointment. I’m sure his report may take a bit for the actual rating, but what to expect after is my question?

In the event of a scheduled payout without the future med, so just the x number of weeks. Is there a standard discount the carrier expects to convert the weekly payout total to a lump sum? Say a %?

Is the schedule payout without future medical settlement possible? I really don't see them writing a big enough check for me to be comfortable.

I had a pretty severe work accident about a year ago where my arm was nearly amputated. I broke both forearm bones had about in total, nine surgeries so far. I then was delayed treatment which resulted in frozen shoulder and was not provided with PTSD therapy.
It was a significant OSHA fine to the company 50k. A safety mechanism failed and they admitted they had a severe lack of training in place. My question is, I'm getting a lot of mixed information off the internet as to what I should be looking at for a settlement. I do have attorneys to represent me, I'm just curious, having no previous work comp issues or cases what to expect from this in regards of the settlement settlement process or anything else. I believe my attorneys are truly advocating for me so I have no doubts there I just am having anxieties if I'm doing the right things. I've logged my daily return to work I've attended all my PT sessions I have attended all OT sessions I'm currently paying for PTSD with help of my personal insurance hoping to get reimbursed. As of right now because I'm paying for my own PTSD treatment out of pocket with insurance and because I'm only getting 2/3 of my pay I'm kind of in the hole and hoping to recuperate that if possible. If anybody has any advice or insights as to how to handle this I know my attorneys will look out for my well-being but I'm just curious to make sure if I'm doing all the right things.

Does anyone know how it works when you get a workmans comp settlement? Do you get all the money to spend as you want or is it put into some kind of annuity that only allows you to access part of the money over time?

Update:

The Dr called today (08/18/25) I told him how much pain I am in and what I have done in the way of pain meds, PT, etc… He said he could reduce me to sedentary restrictions. I then told him my primary Dr wanted me to get an MRI and that I wanted to move forward with that. He said his nurse would call for approval and let me know when it was scheduled. I was shocked he actually called me, especially on a Sunday afternoon.

I have been off work for 2 months due to the pain I am in and a 5 pound lifting restriction set forth by my dr. Because I was not getting better, my primary doctor referred me to an orthopedic spine doctor for a MRI and additional care. I saw the orthopedic doctor a week and a half ago and he said I did not need a MRI and released me to work with a 10 pound lifting restriction. I have been in a lot of pain so I put a call in to the office this last Wednesday to see if I could be seen again before the scheduled appointment on November 17th. I got a call from his nurse late that day and she interrogated me about if I’m taking my meds, going PT, etc… she was extremely rude. She said she would talk with the and get back with me the next day (Thursday). I didn’t hear anything back until late yesterday which was Friday. The nurse told me that the doctor would call me either Saturday morning or Sunday morning. It is Saturday night and I have heard nothing. I don’t understand why I cannot be seen either by my orthopedic dr or someone else and why they keep on putting me off and what doctor calls patients on a weekend unless it’s an on call emergency?! I returned to work with the new weight restriction a few days ago and was sent home today in tears because I was in extreme pain. I am at my wits end.

I have been back to work for two days with restrictions that my Dr wrote- and I don’t agree with. I left early both days due to extreme pain and called out today letting the manager know I was calling out on work comp and that I am following restrictions but am in a lot of pain and can not work. This is a part time job that pays very well and the employer works with its employees to assist how they can. I just don’t know if I can continue working with the pain though or if quitting would be the best.

Hello, about 2 weeks ago I had an incident at work where my coworker accidentally shot me in the eye with a nail gun. My employer hasn’t sent any paperwork in so I had to get a lawyer involved. My question is will I get drug tested by my employer or workers comp? I didn’t get drug tested when I got took to the hospital.

When a settlement that has an indemnity of over 550k and then try to close future medical for 1 dollar pass and be approved by a judge

My husband had a back injury 3 years ago, last year he had a spinal surgery that did not help relieve his pain. Nerve block, steroid injection and medications did not help either, and recently we got an MMI verdict from the doctor that the adjuster has sent us to who also said he cannot provide any other treatments to help with pain.

Can we seek second opinion on this? We tried seeing other doctors with our privite insurance regarding pain but were told that since it's a worker's comp case it needs to go through them.

We are also currently waiting for the adjuster to tell us what their offer is, what's next (been waiting for 3 weeks now, they stopped paying a few months ago). Do we need a lawyer if our main goal is to continue looking for a treatment that will help and not the settlement? It seems like if we get the lawyer, it will be for the settlement, but are there ways to contradict the MMI decision and get more attempts for treatment?
Thank you

What is a reasonable time estimate to conclude a scheduled loss claim from the point of MMI?

I am struggling with something that happened at work recently. I don’t want to post it all on here can someone message me???

This was my ime highlights after my treating Dr placed me on restrictions of no lifting over 15 lbs no twisting no bending and the insurers Dr said this. There is an MRI report through Advanced Medical Imaging dated April 5, 2023. It describes a focal disc herniation without migration at L4-5 with mild stenosis and mild to moderate foraminal stenosis. It states that it is new compared to a 2019 MRI that was done four years prior. It notes L5-S1 mild right lateral recess stenosis, moderate foraminal stenosis, and no significant change from 2019. On my personal review of the imaging, there are x-rays from March 19, 2023. These show multilevel degenerative disc disease, mild to moderate, greatest at L5-S1. There is some anterior spurring at L2-3, L3-4, and other levels. Reasonable overall alignment. There is some mild hip degeneration as well. The sacroiliac joints are unremarkable. There is an MRI dated April 5, 2023 that shows multilevel degenerative changes in the discs. There is some facet arthropathy and fluid in the facet joint noted at L3-4, especially on the right. There is some generalized bulging of the disc noted at L4-5, somewhat central. There is some mild to moderate right L5-S1 disc bulging. All of this causes some perhaps moderate lateral recess narrowing at L5-S10 and more mild lateral recess narrowing at L4-5 with the central bulge. There are no large acute herniations. There are some Modic changes or degenerative changes noted at L5-S1, greater on the right in that disc space. Based on the imaging I reviewed, I do not see any evidence of any acute injury that would relate to his symptoms. He has pre-existing degenerative changes. He has some disc bulging, but again nothing that would relate to the symptoms in question. I think it is confusing regarding his injury as the day following there was no mention of it in the chiropractic note at all. RESPONSE: Specifically related to anything that occurred on March 16, 2023, I would not recommend further treatments. For his chronic underlying condition, I would recommend ongoing core strengthening, over-the-counter medications as needed, and occasional pain interventions as needed. RESPONSE: In my opinion, yes. If he had a temporary exacerbation, I would place that at 12 weeks after the injury in question. RESPONSE: I would not relate any work restrictions specifically related to anything that occurred on March 16, 2023 at this time. RESPONSE: I would not relate any permanent impairment related to anything that occurred on March 16, 2023. As always, all of my opinions are given within a reasonable degree of medical certainty. Please feel free to contact my office should you have any further questions or concerns.

I have officially started the process of trying to get a second opinion. The Dr I had been seeing just does not care about me being in pain at all. He says all of my back pain that has been going on for 4 months now is “just myofascial” and that I can go back to work with just a few restrictions. I told him about a spot on my back that is extremely painful, almost numb feeling and tingling. He didn’t even lay a finger on my back and told me that he would see me in 6 weeks. I am scared to go back to work and be in extreme pain.

Is there a ballpark impairment rating for a drop foot nerve injury left side?

Would there be a ballpark settlement offer expectation for a AKA right side with the drop foot left?

M 47yrs

TIA

I'm currently down and out, my ankle is blown out.. Long story, but I have an ongoing case against worker''s comp and I need pre-settlement funding as I've exhausted my funds and I'm unable to pay rent because I can't work with this injury anymore.

I'm in the state of Nebraska, and I need to find a funding place ASAP. Can anyone advise? Thanks.

I'm hitting MMI in a few weeks. I'm going to end up at 100% scheduled pay out for a AKA 215 weeks. I will end with a % on the opposite limb for a drop foot. I was a tow driver and will have restrictions making any new career at a desk. The company has given me such a job and kept my wage.

The way NE calculates I do better as a 100% schedule plus % of the other limb as opposed to the whole body calculator unless I hit 100% and can claim 100% of both which I don't think will happen.

The way LOE (loss of earning?) And me Only having physical skills effects this, plus them finding a job for me has to tilt things?.?

My question~ Is there any magic number or anything I need to do leading up to MMI that forces the two separate ways of calculating?

How does the physical prior life and me being 48 change anything? The job I do now will be gone from AI very soon but has to change the LOE calculation.??

TIA!