Nearly everyone believes that if they are injured at work their employer will help them. Most people believe this because they are excellent employees and should be backed by their employers. I just had a hearing to process my recent claims of significant physical injuries for the medical findings. I will give specific information so others are not deceived believing the system always helps. It seems like the media is always about fraudulent claims, and rarely about people who need compensation and do not get it.
This is a recent update from my worker’s compensation claim that was heard in the system and I received payoff. First, to submit this claim I needed to pay my attorney $500.00 in May 2011, and my endocrinologist $2000.00 to write his letter including significant medical findings and diagnosis. I agreed to the expenses and paid them in full.
This attorney and medical expert were the first in nearly two decades to help. However, I have failed to mention at one point I did have an excellent attorney who began the process of getting the permanent total disability in 2003, but unfortunately he had a brain aneurysm and left his law practice.
So, to file this one submitted claim I paid out $2500.00. I am speaking of just this claim. I wish it didn’t cause any physical harm, but these injuries left me with only 4 hours of energy everyday. I will get to the sum I received as a result of the injuries in a moment.
An injury to one is an injury to all. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This has been an insurmountable financial burden in every sense of the word. When I was approved for worker’s compensation in 2003 they began paying me biweekly, but it was not retroactive. That was 12 years without payment from the worker’s compensation system. Are you ready to have this happen to you or your family?
I am grateful I had long-term disability insurance. I never thought it was something I would use and everyone hopes they never need it. I would encourage everyone to get long-term disability insurance independent of their employment. Cost might appear high, but not in comparison to loss of wages. Everyone depends upon their income and this makes it even more difficult.
This injury lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage of the brain and spine and was left untreated that has caused no energy to function daily, except for 4 hours a day was finally diagnosed, treated, and I improved significantly. If it weren’t for treatment I wouldn’t be writing this blog. I just received a payoff for all the medical issues I have been dealing with since the injury. These medical issues include: growth hormone deficiency, adrenal insufficiency, autonomic dysfunction, vertical heterorphia, and traumatic brain injury.
This will disclose the amount that Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation decided the two decade injury has caused my physical being. Worker’s compensation puts a price on all body parts. They have a book that gives what they are willing to pay. For those that believe people like being off work and are on Worker’s Compensation this will help you see the other side of the story.
Commercials sensationalize workers with back pain tearing off roofs and other things. These commercials do not show those that are not helped by the system…and that’s the majority of people injured at work!
As a result of this treatment, I was finally able to improve and begin partially living. I went from “barely existing” to “living”. I continue to get one-to-one help learning my computer and having someone available to answer my questions.
The payoff came to a total of $1508.45 after legal expenses. Yes, that is one thousand, five hundred and eight dollars and forty-five cents! This is another question one might want to ask themselves. Was it worth us paying out $2500.00, to receive a payment of $1508.45. Where is justice in the American System?
I knew that there is no amount of money that could ever compensate for myself and family 20 years of 4 hours daily, so even billions of dollars would not be enough. Money isn’t the answer. The system needs fixed and people need help not the money!
I would love to hear other stories either positive or negative on this subject of injuries, illness, healthcare, traumatic brain injuries, SCI. Where these stories exist, there are also stories of healthcare issues, health insurance, disability insurance, and worker’s compensation.
Finally, it is harder to be off work with illness or injury then working a full-time job. When anyone is dealing with injuries or illness they are expected to take care of everything. At the same time their life is unpredictable. They handle all the paperwork and everything that is not necessary when working full-time, including all the mistakes made that others should be handling and those people are supposedly earning a living by being employed.
Related articles
- Disability planning and programs: Part 2 (socialsecurityhome.com)
- March is Brain Injury Awareness Month (prweb.com)
- Traumatic brain injury the focus of American Headache Society scientific conference (eurekalert.org)
- Understanding the Trauma in Traumatic Brain Injury (brokenbrilliant.wordpress.com)
- Traumatic brain injury given ‘a human face’ (mysanantonio.com)
braininjuryselfrehabilitation 
Cindy french
June 25, 2012 at 6:12 am
Edie a
Did you not get the notice
about the award?
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 25, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I’m not sure what you mean. Could you explain?
Cauldrons and Cupcakes
June 25, 2012 at 3:50 pm
I just want to give you a big hug, and then make you a cup of tea after reading this!
I’m so sorry for the injustice of this whole situation.
But I’m not going to focus on that. I’m going to focus on you, and your increasing improvement, your beautiful writing, the way you shine a light for others in this world.
Wishing every good thing for you.
Nicole
xx
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 25, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Thank you. It’s just important that with improvement I help others to avoid these pitfalls and enhance everyone ability to keep them and their loved ones in the best possible health…and in control.
heidirmoore
June 25, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Right! Every post on here is a victory, and every day you survive with your family and positive attitude is a gift.
I wish we all had the means so that you could hand them back the check and tell them where they could….donate it….but we are far, far, far too busy being kind people to think about that. 🙂
Edie, you are worth so much. I think I can speak for your blog readers when I say that we value you. I am sure your family and friends do as well. I daresay that your patients valued you tremendously also.
It’s a terrible shame that such value doesn’t always connect with money and that the Donald Trumps and the Kim Kardashians of the world have it to burn.
Think of what you got in that w/c check as the stuff that the Trumps and the Kardashians deal in.
What you’re worth is the stuff of heart.
Lots of love,
Heidi
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 26, 2012 at 5:48 pm
You have such kind words and I appreciate it. I just want others to beware of all the pitfalls in the system. Err on the side of caution for TBI patients and families. It’s a system based upon dollar value. I only have one heart to give, and wish I had a million hearts! I never have difficulty falling asleep at night because I know I give all I can. I pray others will be helped by sharing my journey and other tips. I’m learning from others I’m not alone…and I wish I were because that breaks my heart knowing so many are going through this as well.
brokenbrilliant
June 26, 2012 at 8:03 am
Reblogged this on Broken Brain – Brilliant Mind and commented:
This is a great description of what can happen, and the things to take into consideration. It also highlights some of the problems with seeking legal assistance in trying to recoup financial losses.
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 26, 2012 at 5:41 pm
I appreciate your input. Our system is based on money, not recovery! Given my case, I did not qualify for help under a scholarship even though my husband and I have endured and can prove loss of $280,000.00 It’s time we look at the average person with TBI, and not just the celebrities…they will get treatment!
brokenbrilliant
June 26, 2012 at 8:37 pm
True, true – the people with the money and the attention have access to so much.
The rest seems to be up to us. The best some of us can hope for is to find something useful online — because people in real life are often not much help at all…
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 27, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I agree that on line is a great resource. I’m new to doing a lot of research and writing, but it’s beneficial and I’d encourage others to do the same or have someone help them. Help is so limited because others are living their lives around us and one can only ask for so much help.
brokenbrilliant
June 27, 2012 at 9:06 pm
I hear you – I get a little tired of muddling through, but what am I supposed to do? Ask everyone to help me with every little thing that gets in my way? It’s forced me to learn a lot, but man, am I tired…
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 27, 2012 at 10:49 pm
I found different ways to manage a lot of things, but couldn’t keep straight learning the computer. Thank goodness for Apple’s one-to-one membership. I write all my questions and get them addressed at each appointment. Sometimes they are redundant, but that’s the learning process in everything. Eventually I get it! What have you found the most difficult with learning?
brokenbrilliant
June 28, 2012 at 6:56 am
I think the most difficult thing for me has been learning to properly manage my time, energy, and resources (including money). It’s the kind of thing that sneaks up on me and I don’t realize I need help till after the fact. And then I’m in a jam. It’s the kind of learning difficulty that is made harder by the “fact” that I’m supposed to know how to do this as an adult. I used to know it (or I think I did) but somehow things got turned around.
Computers are actually the most enjoyable for me, because they don’t give me a lot of crap when I get things wrong. They just say, “Sorry, try again.” They don’t insult me, yell at me, treat me like an idiot, or point out my problems to others to get a good laugh. They just give me another try. That’s probably why I enjoy working with them so much.
brokenbrilliant
June 26, 2012 at 8:07 am
Thanks for writing this. Brain injury is a hard enough row to hoe, but having all the legal hurdles come into play can make things even more difficult and frustrating. I never got medical help (or had medical records) for my injuries, so I’m not in a position to get this kind of help. Even if I’d had long-term disability, I could not have used it. And I wonder how many other TBI survivors are in that situation as well — not realizing what’s been going on, till they’ve lost so much… In a way, I think I was spared some great difficulty by not being able to file any claims or get any help — because as you point out, the “help” that is available doesn’t even cover the basic costs, let alone the pain and suffering.
TBI really is a different animal. And while attorneys can be helpful, ultimately they’re in business for themselves — and there’s only so much they can do in the system. I have yet to hear of a brain injury settlement that was adequate.
Stay strong and keep on recovering. Glad you finally got some actual help.
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 26, 2012 at 5:37 pm
You are right, if help for brain injury is available it’s unlikely most will ever receive it. I think having a set date (especially at work) is also a hinderance to help! All the insurance, healthcare, and legal issues with TBI displays what a fragmented system we have! How can anyone get help, if they can’t even diagnose it? Hopefully, we can help identify some pitfalls for a few that have to follow with TBI.
Maria Tatham
June 27, 2012 at 9:06 pm
So glad you’re helping others, Edie! And helping one another here at you site. Because having someone who can understand you, really understand what’s happened to you, and who you are and what you’re going through, is a gift!
Bless you all!
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 27, 2012 at 11:00 pm
It’s great to see other’s that haven’t been through the same things as well. Diversified issues keep me thinking and I love that about everyone! It seems like there is so much I’m learning from all. I’ve challenged myself with new readings with your novel and would encourage others to check out your website and get your book! My husband said it has a great message, and so many people on this site could benefit reading. One health issue that we all will experience…as we age there are a lot of changes going on and who prepares us for that?
Maria Tatham
June 28, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Edie, I’m trying to challenge myself as I age too. Someone mentioned the benefit of word puzzles and games, and so instead of watching old sitcomes (‘Get Smart!’ – lol) while cooking dinner, I watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Also, I try to be more deliberate in what I do, pay attention to what I’m doing at the time – just staying alert and in the moment is important. As I grow older and suffer from certain less acute problems than TBI, I’m learning a lot, including how to be helpful by being calm, quiet, unstressed myself, so that I bring the stress level down for others who are suffering more than I am – praise God!
Edie, thank you for the plug of my book! If all the wacky-sounding names of characters and places get to be too much, please forgive me,
Maria
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
July 4, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Maria, I love your humor and instead of watching “Get Smart!” you watch: Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy that are great to challenge the brain. Puzzles and games are also helpful. You’ve pointed out important techniques: Pay attention. Be deliberate. Staying alert. Calm. Quiet. and Unstressed. The brain health is just as important as the body health. You have excellent input. Thanks again. Bless You, Edie
Kathy
June 27, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Heidi, everything you said about Edie is soo true. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Her positve attitude is infectious. She has had so many other tragedies in her life and chooses to look for the good in everything. Even though she had so little energy for so long she was always looking for ways to give a hand up. In a sense she’s in a great positon now, because she can share with all of us her struggles within the healthcare system and no one can silence her. Again she has taken a bad situation and turned it positive and is helping more people in this arena then she could have in the hospital. God bless you Heidi and my dear friend Edie.
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
June 27, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Kathy, I’m grateful for the beautiful friend you are and your kind words. We learn and grow from all our experiences. Much appreciation and love, Edie