jeremywrags
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oklahoma
Disclaimer: I am asking this on behalf of a friend but the facts stated are true, he has expressed his disappointment to me with his outcome and feels like he just has to live with it. I disagree!
Over a year ago I was seriously injured on the job. Nearly lost my foot and now have two bad knees that will need replacing, sore back and neck. To make a long story short I was about 20ft up in a bucket truck trimming trees when a vehicle struck me doing 75MPH. I was not provided with any sort of safety harness and was thrown from the bucket and bounced a few times causing my injuries.
The driver for some reason only has $50K coverage and after about a year or so of going to Dr's and dealing with my workmans comp claim I will only be receiving $58K total for the incident. To add salt to the wound they want to pay this out over a three year period.
I should also mention that I work for the State of Oklahoma and after my "Recovery" I was offered a cush job with benefits, not great pay but medical for me and my wife.
Now all that said here is what I have lost as a result of this.
1. Side business mowing lawns making on average $40K per year
2. The ability to ride motorcycles like I used to, this is passion and it's gone
3. I am building a home and was planning on doing a lot of the work myself but am now unable to lift or be on my feet for more than a few hours before I am in a state of discomfort\pain
4. I planned on retiring in the next 5 years but now I am not sure I will be able to afford to do this.
So my question is: Does it sound like I am getting screwed here? I feel like I have lost out an a lot to only receive $58K compensation. I am a pretty moral guy in my opinion and I was not expecting millions upon millions like I know some would but I was hoping to at least get enough that I would not have to return to work. I mean $58K is what I could make in a good year mowing lawns and now I can't even do that.
I don't want to rake anyone over the coals and I will not sue the driver, he has nothing and suing him would do nothing more than ruin his life more than it already is but I think there should be some responsibility placed on the employer here for not providing the appropriate safety equipment.
What are your thoughts? What would you have expected out of a case like this?
I know there is a lot of detail that could make a difference here and I gave a short summary but I am hoping someone with good Morals and Legal knowledge can interpret this and give me some good advice.
Disclaimer: I am asking this on behalf of a friend but the facts stated are true, he has expressed his disappointment to me with his outcome and feels like he just has to live with it. I disagree!
Over a year ago I was seriously injured on the job. Nearly lost my foot and now have two bad knees that will need replacing, sore back and neck. To make a long story short I was about 20ft up in a bucket truck trimming trees when a vehicle struck me doing 75MPH. I was not provided with any sort of safety harness and was thrown from the bucket and bounced a few times causing my injuries.
The driver for some reason only has $50K coverage and after about a year or so of going to Dr's and dealing with my workmans comp claim I will only be receiving $58K total for the incident. To add salt to the wound they want to pay this out over a three year period.
I should also mention that I work for the State of Oklahoma and after my "Recovery" I was offered a cush job with benefits, not great pay but medical for me and my wife.
Now all that said here is what I have lost as a result of this.
1. Side business mowing lawns making on average $40K per year
2. The ability to ride motorcycles like I used to, this is passion and it's gone
3. I am building a home and was planning on doing a lot of the work myself but am now unable to lift or be on my feet for more than a few hours before I am in a state of discomfort\pain
4. I planned on retiring in the next 5 years but now I am not sure I will be able to afford to do this.
So my question is: Does it sound like I am getting screwed here? I feel like I have lost out an a lot to only receive $58K compensation. I am a pretty moral guy in my opinion and I was not expecting millions upon millions like I know some would but I was hoping to at least get enough that I would not have to return to work. I mean $58K is what I could make in a good year mowing lawns and now I can't even do that.
I don't want to rake anyone over the coals and I will not sue the driver, he has nothing and suing him would do nothing more than ruin his life more than it already is but I think there should be some responsibility placed on the employer here for not providing the appropriate safety equipment.
What are your thoughts? What would you have expected out of a case like this?
I know there is a lot of detail that could make a difference here and I gave a short summary but I am hoping someone with good Morals and Legal knowledge can interpret this and give me some good advice.