This Is The Conclusion and PART TEN IN THE SERIES

SEEING YOUR CASE THRU TO THE END!

While this artilce series was created as a guide on what things to find out about that are specific to your own workers compensation claims case, my objective was also to encourage injured workers. You have taken on a lofty goal of fighting for you and your family's right to compensation for a job related injury or illnes. You will find that it is not an easy thing (if you haven't already began to experience this), and there are times you'll just want to throw in the towel. During those times, just read back over this final article, especially the PHYSICAL THERAPY section below.

KNOWLEDGE: SAVE IT - PASS IT ON - OR BOTH!

PLEAS NOTE: The information you are about to read is contained in a ten part article series. Those who have an existing claim or pending claim in the making will benefit greatly from "Don't Get Screwed On Your Worker's comp Claim", not only from one individual part, but by reading the entire series. Each segment is designed to provide the needed workers compensation information for that particular topic, but it also flows right into the next portion of the information, so you can get the full gist of what is being conveyed.

As mentioned previously, there will be many occasions that may cause you to think about quitting, but there are countless benefits to seeing your case thru to the end. Obviously, the main one is MONETARY. You were injured and will never be quite the same again. Your monetary compensation will help you live with that fact a litter better, either though your impaired health is a hard pill to swallow.

The settlement money will help to focus all that negative energy from the: pain, anger, resentment, disappoint, hurt, doubt, self-pity, helplessness, worthlessness and all the other bad feelings you've been stuffing, into one direction --> SPENDING! You'll become busy playing catch up with bills, debts, canceled credit cards and missed birthdays.

This will hopefully be the outcome for those who:

• Read this complete 10-part series about existing or pending work comp claims
• Decide to interview workers comp lawyers instead of settling on the first one
• Visit the DWC website for California or their particular state
• Locate The Information Assistance Unit for their particular city and state

The only outcome that can happen if you quit and don't decide to fight for your workers compensation rights as an injured worker is: You are still injured, but without any of the help you're entitled to in order to try and put your life back together. Before you decide to give up on your rights to adequate compensation, seek out needed information in advance and be ready for the fight ahead.

Does that mean that you are guaranteed to be satisfied with the outcome of your claim? No. I can't say how your situation will turn out for you, or that you will be pleased with the resolution of your case. I can assure you that YOU will be more prepared to fight your "on the job injury" case, whether you have a workers compensation attorney or not. YOU will also be glad you fought for your rights, and had spoke up for yourself, and didn't pay someone else to simply disregard your wishes. How ever it plays out, seeing it through until the end can be a sincerely satisfying experience.

MANY THINGS CAN DETERMINE THE OUTCOME

There are many things that can determine the outcome of your specific worker’s compensation claim. Where you live, whether or not you have an attorney, who your employer is, how long you were on the job, the nature of your illness, and on and on and on. I don’t have all the answers you will need, but I sincerely hope the few facts that I’ve provided you are enough to know what things you need to be alert to in fighting your claim. I encourage everyone to ask questions, speak your mind, and do your own personal research to make sure no one is screwing you over on your case. One thing is for sure, even if you come away with than less than you’re entitled to, it won’t be for lack of trying. No one will fight for you harder than you would for yourself. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

This final discussion in this ten part workers compensation series has to do with THE SINGLE most important issue related to your case (in my opinion), and that is the issue of PHYSICAL THERAPY. Although I have vaguely touched on the topic during some fo the previous articles, I didn't put a lot of emphasis on it because, as the subheading says: physical therapy is not going to just end, when your claim ends.

The reason I put this information in the final section is because now that you know about all the other stuff to expect, and your mind isn't full of other questions (since by now, hopefully you have the answers), you can direct your FULL attention to this issue.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY VISITS END?

Regardless as to what type of injury you have or what type of therapy you need to undergo, physical therapy visits will become a big part of your life, especially during the early stages of your work related injury. The workers compensation claim process is directly tied into your medical health, your benefits, your physical therapy financing and your need for assistance beyond what is customary. You cannot afford to take your regular physical therapy visits for granted.

Physical therapy appointments are not to be missed or sporadic because not only will effect your workers comp case from a legal standpoint, it is detrimental to your rehabilitation. You NEED the help that those visits provide. Not only do they help relieve some of the pain and symptoms that your injury caused, but they help you find ways to relive the pain when you're at home. That is why they teach you the various exercises related to your particular condition. Your HOMEWORK is to practice those physical therapy exercises just like they teach you. Believe me, this is NOT the kind of homework you want to cheat on. It is for your benefit!

There will come a time during the claim process, when your physical therapy sessions will end. Even if you submitted a request for additional physical therapy visits and it was granted. At some point, the visits will have to stop and you will be on your own. That is why it is so attention to pay attention and accept the needed help that you receive from your physical therapists. Depending on the injury and the specifics of the condition, you may have to do these exercises for the rest of your life.

Living with your work related injury or illness is a fact of life that you will have to adjust to, no matter what your course of treatment, no matter what he outcome of your claim. I can absolutely say this (as well as everything else cited in this series of articles) from experience, you will learn to adjust, and you will be okay. It won't be easy, and it won't be overnight, but it will happen. YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT. Here are some personal lessons I had to learn along the way.

* Focusing on how angry you are and how unfair it all is will only make it ALL hurt more., instead:

FOCUS ON How glad you are to still be alive and have whatever mobility and physical strengths you still possess. >>> "I love to dance and carpal tunnel doesn't stop that!"

* Loss or limits to your physical attributes may can either keep you down, or creates an opportunity to:

FOCUS ON Your other characteristics and strengths that could prove to be an asset, like creativity, mental adeptness, verbal communication skills, etc... "I used my Dragon voice activated software to help me develop my creative writing talents - right into a new career!"

* Instead of concentrating all my attention on the two wasted years I fought for what was rightly mine, or about the residual pain I feel daily, I can:

FOCUS ON How I fought and won some compensation for myself even though I was not satisfied with the total outcome. I can also be thankful for the days I do wake up and experience twinges of pain. Just getting through life, for any of us, can be a fight, but you can't give up in the battle. The fact that I wake up each morning means 'm still here in the fight, but dammit, I'm still HERE, and as long as I have a breath wthin in me, that's one fight that I'll continue to keep up!

For my concluding remarks, I just want to emphasize, from one injured worker to another, take care of your body and do what's best for your injury!  Workers compensation claims have a way of getting technical and legal and political, and everything else but medical!  Make sure to take some time to evaluate your health on a day to day basis and see what is working for you and what is not, and make your physician and physical therapist aware of this information.  Then, make sure they appear to be making decisions that affect YOUR health, with YOU in mind. 

Remember - you'll have some good days and some bad days.  No ONE bad day constitutes being a candidate for surgery, nor does ONE good day mean you're ready to go back to work.  Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and convey that information to everyone concerned, accurately, regularly, and consistently.  This is YOUR workers compensation claims case and you're in it to WIN IT!

Additional California Worker’s Compensation Offices

ANEHEIM

1661 N. Raymond Ave. Rm. 200
Anaheim 92801-1146
Telephone (714) 738-4000

Recorded information
1-800-736-7401

 

BAKERSFIELD

1800 30th Street Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93301-1929

Telephone (661) 395-2723

Recorded information

1-800-736-7401

 

FRESNO

2550 Mariposa Street
Suite 4078 Fresno 93721-2219
Telephone (559) 445-5051

Recorded information
1-800-736-7401

 

LONG BEACH

300 Oceangate Street Suite 200
Long Beach 90802-4304
Telephone (562) 590-5001

Recorded information
1-800-736-7401

OAKLAND

1515 Clay Street 6th floor
Oakland, CA 94612-1402

Telephone (510) 622-2866

Recorded information

1-800-736-7401

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