Answer
Ok, I understand. You were injured in FL. You didn't state if the doctor you saw back then returned you to work though, and what your disability rating was. If he declared you totally disabled, then I would indeed hire an attorney. I really don't know if you should get one in FL, but I would think FL rules apply. As you were injured back in 88' or whatever it was, those rules apply. I would certainly seek an attorney in FL. (I could be wrong on this though I doubt it.) Anyway, if you were totally disabled, i'd try to settle the claim, and then apply for social security disability. If you want to try returning to work, tell the attorney you're interested in being retrained in say, the computer field. What this might do, is when w/c learns that you want to be retrained, they might decide they do want to settle to get rid of you. Then take the money, and do whatever it is you need to do. You see, you said you've been on w/c for 15 yrs which leads me to believe you were put on total disability, and they can settle, and leave the medical open. Back then, they couldn't settle the medical part of the claim. Now that the laws changed, they met let you settle the medical as well as the comp. I'm not familiar with current law, only that they can now settle FL medical claims as well as the comp. I'd have the attorney go back and look at your file to see if w/c paid you correctly, just in case he doesn't think about it. Changing hands you never know what one was doing with your case. And the w/c people are correct in that your w/c carrier doesn't HAVE to settle, it's up to them. But, like I said, there are times when it's in everyone's best interest to settle the comp. If you're not totally disabled, then they should have you on what's called Wage Loss. Do they? Anyway, I hope this clarifies it up a bit. But if I remember correctly, FL W/C LAW still applies, as the injury happened there. Good Luck
[Edited by Georgana Chastang on 03-27-2001 at 05:14 AM]