what to expect now

[christinyou]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois

My name is Charles, and on April the 1st of this year, I initially suffered swelling, bruises, and contusions on right hand, lower back, right hip, left foot, and neck, as a result of falling down a flight of about 20 steps, at a construction site while working as a low voltage electrician. I was carrying a ladder and some tools from the 2nd to the 1st floor when I slipped on a water bottle that some how ended up on the next to the top step.

To make a long story short, I was initially approved of workers comp with no problems or challenges. I did secure the services of an attorney to oversee my case (although I think I could have done better). Doctors originally said that outside of a few bumps and bruises, Xrays and Mri seem to be normal and I should be fine in a few weeks with therapy and some medicine. Yet I remained in pain and never really improved. So since I didn't feel that the workers comp doctor was truly interested in finding out what was wrong with me and simply trying to get rid of me and rush me back to work, I used public aid to get my own family doctor to help me. He ordered an Xray, Mri, and Emg of his own to take place on me at a local hospital in Chicago.
Meanwhile, I had to see an IME, ordered by workers comp, for a second opinion, who pretty much said that virtually nothings wrong with me, that I'm 95% recovered from the fall, that I'm at MMI, and should go back to work with no restrictions. TTD stopped after that.

My own doctor finally got the results back from the hospital and said that I had carpal tunnel nerve issues in both hands as documented in the NCV portion of the Emg test. That I have osteoarthritic degenerative disease in my lower back and through out, including both hands, that I have some sort of "flat back syndrome" probably due to back spasms, and bulging disks in lower back. In his words; "no wonder why your in pain". He typed me up a letter with his diagnosis and gave it to me to give to my attorney, and he faxed it to the insurance adjuster.

Since my attorney really doesn't say much to me, I'm asking you what should I expect now? Should I settle like they want to do. I get better treatment from my doctor and public aid than I do from workers comp any way. Some people tell me I have a 3rd party claim; Do I? I just don't know. Please help. Thanks.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by christinyou

My own doctor finally got the results back from the hospital and said that I had carpal tunnel nerve issues in both hands as documented in the NCV portion of the Emg test. That I have osteoarthritic degenerative disease in my lower back and through out, including both hands, that I have some sort of "flat back syndrome" probably due to back spasms, and bulging disks in lower back. In his words; "no wonder why your in pain".

And missing from all of this is ANY direct connection between your work-related fall and these injuries. Most of the injuries you describe could have existed prior to the incident.... and most (all?) of them (carpal, osteoarthritic) have absolutely NOTHING to do with your work accident. Workmens comp will not cover them.