PPD or Settlement Without a Lawyer

[sonic49er]

I was injured at work 2/28 hit my head on a fixture and sustained a concussion and neck injuries. I have an inner ear deficiency that prevents me from standing for longer than 10-15 minutes before i get dizzy and fatigued. I have been to the ER/Hosipitalized 4 times since the injury and have not shown much improvement after PT. I am now seeing a chiropractor and a balance specialist. What is MMI? When should I be evaluated for PPD? Should I see a lawyer to increase the value of my settlement? I want to be sure that I don't miss a step, and I have not contacted a lawyer yet due to the compliance of my Comp insurance people. Please share any insights you might have into the proper order of things.

[airdale]

I was injured at work 2/28 hit my head on a fixture and sustained a concussion and neck injuries. I have an inner ear deficiency that prevents me from standing for longer than 10-15 minutes before i get dizzy and fatigued. I have been to the ER/Hosipitalized 4 times since the injury and have not shown much improvement after PT. I am now seeing a chiropractor and a balance specialist. What is MMI? When should I be evaluated for PPD? Should I see a lawyer to increase the value of my settlement? I want to be sure that I don't miss a step, and I have not contacted a lawyer yet due to the compliance of my Comp insurance people. Please share any insights you might have into the proper order of things.

A lawyer is there for you to get the proper help, as of now getting medical treatment should be job number one.....

[.SH]

mmi = maximum medical improvement.
evaluation can happen at any time.
if your condition is changing then any impairment given will not be permanent and not useful for rating.
lawyers can't increase every settlement and litigation often causes long delays.
if you want to find out more go here
http://naiw.nv.gov/

[sonic49er]

A lawyer is there for you to get the proper help, as of now getting medical treatment should be job number one.....

Any idea what MMI is? I have been my own advocate for proper care and have just started seeing the right people. I'm concerned more with what is the proper time to request a PPD exam...because not being able to stand up for long periods of time is not an easy disability to get a job in my field (retail).

---------- Post added at 10:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 PM ----------

Thanks alot =) I'm looking to maximize my improvement or if I lose the insurance's cooperation then I will seek a lawyer. I'd rather that someone doesn't get paid besides me for my loss and pain...hopefully I'll see some results with the new therapies...but so far..not much improvement except the pain locations have gone down.

[purplepuppy]

This is for getting your balance back. I would research and find a chiropractor who does Atlas (a bone in your neck that holds your head to your spine) adjustment. I can help greatly with regaining your balance, since you had neck injuries, it could have knocked it out of alignment.

[sonic49er]

So guys,

Just recently passed the 1 year mark since my injury. I have yet to make a complete recovery, but have received a mixed bag of news. Went to see a neuro-otologist, a very rare specialty that covers inner ear and brain disorders specifically, and got a definitive working diagnosis of POTS w/ Post traumatic Migraine. (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia with Migraines) Just made a connection today with the Dr. mentioning the slight tilt in my head to the right. My Atlas has not been adjusted by a certified Atlas Chiro, I requested the treatment nearly 9 months ago and was denied due to the cost. I have since been told by the NO (otologist abv), that my chiropractor could've been injuring me with his fast adjustment method, and that my migraines are linked to the head trauma. Really wondering if I will be able to get any compensation for them denying me the care I requested, if it leads to a 100% recovery after a steady does of Atlas adjustments (I now have a written order/perscription for a month of treatment) or if there is no recourse. It seems to me that if I recover shortly after having a treatment which I requested that I would be due some restitution for lost wages. Not sure what to do, but all the pieces fit. My condition is due to a misaligned Atlas, treatment denied even at my request 9 months of pain suffering and lost wages because the Ins company denied it without even consulting another physician or my nurse. My bet is that I am not due anything, and am simply a victim of the system. Good news is I have a plan to cut all of my pills minus the pain killers for now, a plan to monitor my POTS and a plan to get TRUE chiropractic relief. Thanks for your advice purple, I tried it and got denied. Only to come full circle and be back here with a recommendation for the same treatment.

[complwyr]

If you have been out of work for 9 months due to the injury, then they should pay you wage loss benefits. You get nothing for pain and suffering in work comp. Do you have a work comp lawyer? If not, you need one.

[BvIA]

You do need an attorney.
You can forget about requesting treatment yourself... that will go no where. Only your treating physician can request a prior authorization for medical care...you are not a Dr (presumably, and even if you were, you would not be treating yourself)

If you have a Dr who took you off work... that would be the basis for any wage replacement/TTD benefits you may be due.
Can't tell exactly what your situation may be based on the info you provided.

I'd rather that someone doesn't get paid besides me for my loss and pain..

Message board is not a substitute for valid legal advice. You are fortunate to be in Nevada, as the state provides legal assistance for IW's.

[sonic49er]

You do need an attorney.
You can forget about requesting treatment yourself... that will go no where. Only your treating physician can request a prior authorization for medical care...you are not a Dr (presumably, and even if you were, you would not be treating yourself)

If you have a Dr who took you off work... that would be the basis for any wage replacement/TTD benefits you may be due.
Can't tell exactly what your situation may be based on the info you provided.Message board is not a substitute for valid legal advice. You are fortunate to be in Nevada, as the state provides legal assistance for IW's.

Update: I retained a lawyer in May. This is now month 16, I was laid off in April because I was unable to return to work. I have since received a 0% rating for my neck and my concussion was conveniently left off of my PPD eval sheet. I am at risk for losing my home, car and credit due to the length of time this has taken to resolve. I was cured of my orthostatic issues in march by treatments from a gentle activator method adjustment to my C1/C2 cervical spine. This came after the recommendation of a Neuro-Otologist or Otoneruologist that I saw in Arizona. I had demanded Atlas as Purplepuppy had suggested but was promptly denied. What do I do if my Concussive Syndrome PPD comes back 0% as well? Is that even possible? I have had several documented migraines, memory and cognitive issues that are documented. I guess I am just updating, answering any of these questions is probably impossible unless you are versed in the Rating Guide. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their replies and their continued advice on this topic and the rest of the injured here in NV. I am very glad that I only lost my mind and not my body.

[.SH]

You can appeal the rating if you have evidence that it was in error. You may need legal representation.