H
honeysuckle
Guest
In Oct 1997 I was involved in an auto accident with an uninsured driver who is also on disability. My insurance company handled most of my expenses. He sued and in the hearing, I was declared to be blameless. He appealed and I got to spend 8 hours in court being insulted by the driver, his friend, and their attorney; the jury ruled me blameless and declared that he should pay me $16,000.
I am at a point in my life where that $16,000 could mean the difference between being able to realize my dream of returning to school to complete my undergraduate degree, or staying in my 8-5 job (which, by the way, has caused repetitive stress injuries to both arms which are intensified every day that I work).
The attorney hired by my insurance company filed the judgement, but said there's nothing I can do to claim my settlement. I'm in a truly desperate situation and am asking for a second opinion... is there anything I can do to collect the $16,000 (or any portion)?
Also, the job: I am the only clerical person in my firm, they fired the other girl after my injury which has significantly increased my workload. When agreed to take on the additional responsibility (6 weeks ago) it was with the condition of increased compensation. They've now delayed my review and raise to the extent that all others have been done for over a week And now that my insurance has kicked in (3 month wait), I'm actually bringing home Less money than before injuring myself working too hard and taking on more responsibilities.
I don't feel like I can go get another job, both because of the injury and because I'm doing everything in my power to start school in Sept. It's inarguably wrong for me to continue to reinjure myself (especially while being devalued), but I can't seem to find a way out.
Any help would be Greatly appreciated.
I am at a point in my life where that $16,000 could mean the difference between being able to realize my dream of returning to school to complete my undergraduate degree, or staying in my 8-5 job (which, by the way, has caused repetitive stress injuries to both arms which are intensified every day that I work).
The attorney hired by my insurance company filed the judgement, but said there's nothing I can do to claim my settlement. I'm in a truly desperate situation and am asking for a second opinion... is there anything I can do to collect the $16,000 (or any portion)?
Also, the job: I am the only clerical person in my firm, they fired the other girl after my injury which has significantly increased my workload. When agreed to take on the additional responsibility (6 weeks ago) it was with the condition of increased compensation. They've now delayed my review and raise to the extent that all others have been done for over a week And now that my insurance has kicked in (3 month wait), I'm actually bringing home Less money than before injuring myself working too hard and taking on more responsibilities.
I don't feel like I can go get another job, both because of the injury and because I'm doing everything in my power to start school in Sept. It's inarguably wrong for me to continue to reinjure myself (especially while being devalued), but I can't seem to find a way out.
Any help would be Greatly appreciated.