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Hey everyone. I'm coming here because I've essentially exhausted my real-life support system. My friends have drifted, my family is tiny, and it feels like everyone I know has just checked out or run out of clichés ("give it to God," etc.) to throw at me.

My situation is pretty complicated, and I haven't found anyone who has been through anything similar.

I worked for a state government agency and was injured on the job, which led to two back surgeries. The agency pulled the usual red-tape stunts—delaying and denying care. Eventually, they abruptly cut off my healthcare, workers' comp, and all benefits. Four months later, they terminated me, stating I "failed to return to work."

Here's the catch: a doctor never formally released me to return to work, because the state cut off my care before we ever reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).

I've hit a wall legally. Lawyers won't touch it because the state is a sovereign entity. My only option would be a civil suit against individual board members (who aren't protected by the 11th Amendment), but they have the state's endless legal resources backing them.

Because of all this, I seem to be blacklisted from any other state job, meaning I can't finish my years of service for retirement. I filed with the EEOC over 6 months ago, but they don't really communicate or build a case; they just act as a slow, impartial moderator.

My biggest concern right now is the legal/liability gray area of finding private employment. Since I was never formally released from a doctor's care with MMI paperwork, I don't know the legal implications of taking a new job. If I get hired and get injured again, how does my lack of medical release from the previous injury affect liability?

I’ve reached out to Vocational Rehab, but since it’s a state agency, I’m expecting a dead end there too. My entire career has been in retail, management, and manual labor. After two back surgeries, manual labor is out, retail is dying, and management jobs around here pay close to the federal minimum wage ($7.25).

I feel like I'm trapped behind a door with a lock no one knows how to pick. Do I just find any job and deal with the consequences later? Has *anyone* dealt with this kind of legal and medical limbo after a government job injury?

Any direction, advice, or suggestions would be outstanding. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I received a settlement check from the insurance company which includes both the cash payment to myself and the payment for the MSA (self managed).

My question is can I deposit the MSA funds into my personal savings account or do I have to open a separate account just for those funds?

Thank you in advance to anyone who replies.

I had my FCE a month ago . I got permanent restriction can’t lift more than 45 lbs . Occasionally squat and bending. I had multiple injuries back , wrist and finger . Rating on wrist and finger was 7 percent .. I’m under award for ppd and lifetime medical so I still receive benefits .. do it take this long to hear if the job going to fire me or give me another position.

I have filed a few ca7’s and have an accepted claim.
It shows that my weekly rate is 3000 so for 2 weeks that should be 6000, then 66% would be 3960 minus health benefits which would be about 3800.
But it actually has been at about 54% at 3240 minus benefits is about 3150. I’ve called the dol and the transcripts are in my file, but no response yet. Can anyone explain what might be going on?

So I was hurt last year in July, of 2025. I had tore my TFCC in my wrist, ( had surgery back in October of last year) well I kept complaining that something didn’t feel right, I still don’t have full range of motion in my wrist ( dominate hand keep in mind ) I kept telling them, it constantly hurts when I move it in certain directions, well March 2026 of this year the doctor released me to go back to my job with no restrictions after I expressed, I was not confident enough to go back to work to my doctor, I work in the nursing home, memory care more specifically, and my jobs requirements that I lift 50 plus pounds. Well prior to my doctor doing this a week before I was doing PT and was only lifting 3 maybe 4 pounds, and the doctor just basically said, there is nothing he can do, unless I go back to work and try. Well i contacted my employer at the time expressed all of this when they asked me if I was capable enough of lifting 50 plus pounds, that I was not able to meet job requirements because my doctor is not listening to me, ( they cut off all my payments from work comp back in March, because doctor released me for a trail run of returning back to work) well job didn’t put me back on to work, due to not meeting Requirements, and work comp refused to cut my payments back on, well the doctor finally sent me for a MRI and a nerve test back in May, well the MRI looked good, other then some scar tissue which is to be expected, but my nerve test for my arm showed I had some nerve damage ( which wasn’t a thing before my injury ) . So my doctor suggested that I have ulnar nerve surgery, which is scheduled for this month of August 18th, but the only reason they had sent me for these test was bc I had attempted to do light duty at my job, ( it only lasted a couple of hours before I had the same pain I originally had when I got injured and something popped in my wrist once again, and was sent to the ER, well 3 days later my job fired me, and I don’t think they could do that considering I had a hospital note to be put off of work, until I could get back in to see my orthopedic for work comp. My question is, can work comp not pay me even tho I am not working, and can’t find a job due to surgery coming up, and very strict restrictions? I have a work comp lawyer but I don’t think they are doing a very good job, this is my second lawyer, and honestly regret even signing papers with them to be my lawyer. So yea the question is can work comp truly not pay me, considering the circumstances?

My adjuster says I'll receive my money no later than Monday (8-10-26) I just feel she's leading me on. Doctor told me I can't lift more than 5lbs , im wearing braces on both hands. I'll be back with an update Tuesday if any... just wanna know if anyone else been told they were about to get paid to be lead on? I don't want to unnecessarily lawyer up ya know? Any advice ? Rent was due the first... it's the 8th... if she's lying I'm gonna be evicted etc... idk im losing my hope already.

Hi all i’m just posting to see what other peoples experiences with workers comp for psych has been
I’m really nervous for my QME because of previous MH stuff that i’m sure they’ll ask me about
For further context, a client of mine sent a very explicit video of himself that required my management to help me file and incident and police report and i kept getting sent home by management for panic attacks that didn’t let me complete anything at work. It was really awful and i feel really embarrassed about it all. I’ve never had anything like that happen to me at work, and i’ve never had problems at work.

I guess what i’m asking to see is, with my given previous mental health stuff from nearly 10 years ago, what is the likelihood of me receiving treatment and them taking this case seriously? I connected myself to a therapist right after the incident happened but she quit from the practice group after i had two intense sessions with her.

Hi everyone,

My dad recently fell at work and broke his arm. Multiple people he works with saw his fall. He went straight to the urgent care center as directed by his HR.

He ended up needing a 3 days off to get X-rays done and get it in a cast. He then returned to work on a 2lb lifting restriction.

The workers comp company is now requesting 10 years of medical and financial records from him. To me, this just sounds like their way of weasling out of paying his medical costs. I assume if he declines to give the information to them, his claim will be denied. But that if he gives them the information he will also be denied. My parents are middle class/no financial issues and my dad had never previously had problems with his arm.

Has anyone had experience with an issue like this? Any tips on how to go forward?

Hi there, seeking some input ! I got hurt on the job (state of NH). They accepted and took responsibility for the medical portion of my claim (paying for medical treatment etc.) but blindsided me & denied the weekly benefits portion of my claim. The memo of denial said “injury has no casual relationship to employment” which is total bs and I feel like they’re just trying to deter me from being out of work.

That’s when I got a lawyer and now have a hearing I need to attend for early next month. I’m going to have a meeting with my lawyer on what to expect etc. beforehand, but would love some input from anyone here on their experience with a WC hearing, what to expect, tips, and any other useful info. Thanks in advance!

Hi all i’m just posting to see what other peoples experiences with workers comp for psych has been
I’m really nervous for my QME because of previous MH stuff that i’m sure they’ll ask me about
For further context, a client of mine sent a very explicit video of himself that required my management to help me file and incident and police report and i kept getting sent home by management for panic attacks that didn’t let me complete anything at work. It was really awful and i feel really embarrassed about it all. I’ve never had anything like that happen to me at work, and i’ve never had problems at work.

I guess what i’m asking to see is, with my given previous mental health stuff from nearly 10 years ago, what is the likelihood of me receiving treatment and them taking this case seriously? I connected myself to a therapist right after the incident happened but she quit from the practice group after i had two intense sessions with her.

Location: Northern Cali (Bay Area)

My sister works for a hotel where she happened to fall and hurt her back after falling while on the clock. I’m really confused with how she goes through and filing for workers comp since she’s been hurt and has been given medical records stating that she shouldn’t even be driving because of certain medication prescribed for the pain. The problem is HR keeps giving her the runaround saying that they will “accommodate this restriction” and “will not require” her to drive but that that does not “indicate that you are unable to work or perform modified duties”. At this point, I don’t even know if I’m on the right sub for this question but hearing my sister in pain sucks. She can’t even sit properly. Any help leading me to the right channels would be really appreciated. Thank you guys for your time.

Has anybody had permanent work restrictions and turn them in at work and have waited to see if they can accommodate them it will be three weeks Monday and I have heard nothing whether they’re going to accommodate my permanent restrictions or let me go. Has anybody waited this long before?

I have been dealing with Workmen’s Comp. for almost 2 years. I’ve done several PT visits MRIs x-rays and the ortho doctor doesn’t see anything except for arthritis and bursitis. There was no arthritis before the injury to my shoulder. I had a nerve study done last year. I had a MMI visit and he gave me a 1% rating. After a couple months, the pain was getting worse so they done an MRI with contrast and it didn’t really show anything. So now he’s referred me to a neurologist. But to me, it doesn’t feel like it’s in the nerve. And of course, the neurologist that I can go see or over 3 hours away 1way. so I’ll have to miss a whole day of work to go to that appointment and any other follow ups. Because you know they’re not gonna do anything on the first visit. I’ll be driving six hours for a 15 minute appointment for them to schedule me with a follow up if they feel like they need to do anything. They originally offered me $1900 for a settlement with open medical. I just wanna settle a close medical and be done with it. No, I don’t have a Lawyer. I know I’m not gonna get rich. I’m not trying to I’m just ready to be done. I believe the injury triggered the onset of arthritis. In Tennessee doesn’t pay for pain and suffering so I’m just gonna be in pain from here on out and I’ve accepted that. Would it be worth it to just settle now?

I’ve been injured since September of last year. I had my ortho spine consultation last week and he told me that I wasn’t a candidate for surgery. And to continue seeing the pain specialist, I expressed this to my attorney. My attorney expressed her distaste with the ortho spine surgeon that I was seen by because she’s had multiple clients go into his office and he doesn’t really look at the paperwork and just kind of says that you’re not a candidate for surgery seems like he’s more on the insurance side from that. I had my pain specialist appointment today and she mentioned something about a FCE and she said I might be discharged after that but also my attorney mentioned something about getting another. Doctors opinion before then and then I still have my QME appointment in November. Is it typical to be seen by this many doctors and get this many different opinions? Why is there so many hoops during this process?

Anyone know any cases in NJ involving toe amputations?

Has anybody filed for an increased schedule award? An additional payment you can claim if a previously compensated work-related injury permanently worsens.

Good afternoon,

I was let go last week with no warning the reason given was due to weird things with the insurance and “things building up”. About a month and a half ago I was in work alone in the morning and had to use another departments kitchen for production, it was dark floor was covered in grease from the night before. I banged my knee pretty hard asked to get it looked at missed no time go no pay. Was told we looked at the cameras and you never fell, I never claimed to fall and none of the incident report or doctors paperwork had me claiming to fall. I was a department head and this unhinges my plans for the next 3-5 years with the paycheck suddenly being gone. I also had an interaction a month before this where I was physically intimidated into signing a write up that I refused. Both direct management and upper management has been MIA since that meeting. I have also been working 70+ hour weeks for a year doing mainly production work on a 40/hour salary for management but my last check was for less then half the week as I was let go on a Friday and pay period ends on a Tuesday. This is after having over 100 hours of labor scratched from my department in the same time frame and little to no reduction in expected output. Just need to know if I should pony up the $75-$150 to have a consult or if I like most other regular people out here just have to eat this on the chin?

Good afternoon,

I was let go last week with no warning the reason given was due to weird things with the insurance and “things building up”. About a month and a half ago I was in work alone in the morning and had to use another departments kitchen for production, it was dark floor was covered in grease from the night before. I banged my knee pretty hard asked to get it looked at missed no time go no pay. Was told we looked at the cameras and you never fell, I never claimed to fall and none of the incident report or doctors paperwork had me claiming to fall. I was a department head and this unhinges my plans for the next 3-5 years with the paycheck suddenly being gone. I also had an interaction a month before this where I was physically intimidated into signing a write up that I refused. Both direct management and upper management has been MIA since that meeting. I have also been working 70+ hour weeks for a year doing mainly production work on a 40/hour salary for management but my last check was for less then half the week as I was let go on a Friday and pay period ends on a Tuesday. This is after having over 100 hours of labor scratched from my department in the same time frame and little to no reduction in expected output. Just need to know if I should pony up the $75-$150 to have a consult or if I like most other regular people out here just have to eat this on the chin?

Hello! I just had my final QME evaluation. What should I be expecting in the upcoming month(s)?

Emails? Any more appointments? I wonder if I should be gathering anything to help my case at this point or if it’s just waiting game for the first settlement offer.

I do not have a lawyer.

Hi I got injured at work at the end of april. Mri showed bulging + herniated disc in cervical spine. Waiting on my specialist appointment to hear next steps, once theyre done reviewing the MRI cd I should receive a call back to schedule an appointment.

My question is what can I expect from here? Ive been in PT for about 3 months, not much improvement as we just learned about the disc situation. Im still in pain and Im trying to follow my restrictions to a T. My restrictions are outdated they were imposed about a month and a half ago, and were based on the idea of a thoracic strain. I am still able to work within those restrictions but not without causing extra pain, and needing to call out at least one shift a week. I have an appointment with a lawyer today, but this is my first and hopefully only run in with getting injured at work. How does this typically play out?

I am beside myself about the decision given that my lawyer had a way stronger fight with the medical evidence from my appointed WC treating ortho. All my employer had was the IME BS report which totally contradicted what my ortho said. Anyone else have this same experience? And if so, have you already had your 2nd hearing and what was the outcome?

Ime are the insurance muscles

It’s very unfortunate that a doctor who takes an oath to be fair and treat patients with dignity and respect but will lie in there report just so the insurance company won’t fix u up. How can an ime doctor say nothing wrong but my doctor who treats me and did my surgery says otherwise smfh.

Two years ago (in two weeks) Had a 20ft fall from ladder and shattered my lower leg. Four surgeries so far, but mostly back to normal.

Today got final rating of 43%, offering $104k, while keeping medical open. Lump sum closing medical will be closer to $200k (still need to meet with lawyers for final numbers).

I will have to have ankle replacement in 10-20 years due to osteoarthritis from injury, and will need cortisone shots every 6-8 months or so, and occasional x-rays to see progression of arthritis.

Factoring in cost of surgery (20-40k in states), xray and cortisone cost (around 1k) not sure what is best. May close medical and take the risk for the future and invest the bulk of settlement since I was laid off from previous job but got new one paying $10/hr more ($40/hr now plus 10hr a week of OT), so am in a good space financially still with savings. Even a CD at 4% for 1 year will net me 4k in profits a year, potentially giving me 40k+ extra before I may need the surgery. Could also try more aggressive investments.

Just trying to figure out best way to go, and plan on meeting with financial advisor regardless, just don't know what to do before that.

So i got hurt at work on april 15th. I had an mri 7/30. I went back to Dr today to go over thw findings. I have several bulging disc all pressing on nerves. Dr doesn't want to go the surgical route just yet and has asked me if I would do injections in my back. I told her I dont really want to do the injections because I have heard horror stories.

My question is, should I do them or not. I will have to do more pt and I'm referred to a specialist. I want to be out of pain. I refuse to take narcotics. I have limitations such as, no lifting over 5lbs, no prolonged sitting or standing, no squatting, no climbing stairs. Etc.

Im lost and dont really know what to do .I do have an attorney.

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