I was recently rear ended while using a government vehicle. I was not at fault ( no really). The other person was at fault and cited. I want to be sure I am not going to get screwed since I've never gone through the process.
I had an ambulance ride and care for bump on my head. I'm ok.
My eye glasses flew out the window and got damaged as well.
After talking to the WC person assigned to the case, it appears things are in line.
Thank you in advance!
Just make sure you document everything and save copies of Bill's. The employer's insurance is supposed to pay for any medical related expenses and if you miss "x" number of days of work they will cover some of that. As long as you aren't badly hurt you should be fine. When you are badly hurt then it becomes a problem, permission for this dr visit, independent evaluations, denying needed procedures for bizarre reasons etc. Good luck. I just was injured at work and so far it has been just follow their procedure and they ok what the dr wants to do. Just a minor injury, on light duty and only missed 1.5 days of work for surgery and recovery.
In reply to rustybugkiller :
Were you working? (You didn't say)
It doesn't matter what you were driving. If you were working, it's WC.
If you were not working, it's not WC.
Glad to hear you are OK.
In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
Yes, working.
Glad to hear that you are okay. Years ago I got into a pretty good accident while working. Keep an eye out for bills, especially later. They kept trying to bill me for the ambulance that was already covered. The doctor will have to release you back to work. Do not accept any settlement, do not sign off on anything from the at fault party's insurance until you are 100% better.
Just some general WC advice. I'm a data geek, not an adjuster, but I've picked up a few things over the years.
If you're off work due to the injury it's self, or for doctors appointments, etc. and you are an hourly worker(not salary), your employer should continue to pay you for that time off work. Salaried workers generally just continue receiving their salary when off work for anything related to the injury.
If the injury is serious, like loosing a finger/eye/limb; if the injury prevents you from working at the same capacity as pre-injury; or if it results in your death(at the time of injury or later); you and/or your survivors are likely entitled to compensation. That compensation amount is pretty well set & documented by your state & federal government. For example, loosing your pinky finger is ~$10k iirc. So hiring an attorney is usually only worthwile if there is a dispute between what they're willing to pay - and you have valid reasoning & backing evidence to prove they're not paying you what they should. That's actually a pretty rare occurrence. Otherwise you're paying money for an attorney you don't need.
Thanks for the input.
I had no after affects since the initial bump on my head ( no head aches, neck pain, nothing) going on two and half weeks. No lost work time. Only issue I'm having is getting my broken glasses replaced. Glad I kept my old pair and I have 2 pair good sunglasses but my old glasses are badly scratched and not strong enough. Working between the eye dr. and WC to get the proper authorization seems to be taking way to long.
I'm bringing this back up in the hope that someone can lead me in the right direction. For the last several weeks, I have been corresponding between four different people in the Workmen's Comp. departments to try and get my eyeglasses approved and replaced because of this accident. Now I know why so many people go to lawyers. My eye doctor, Who handles Workmen's Comp., cannot seem to find my case file. When I call one of the agency phone numbers all I get is more questions. I am at a loss. If I had know this would be so difficult I never would have told my employer that I had an extra pair of old glasses. I would've had to be paid all this time to sit at home. Granted this is not what I would want to do but I am so frustrated with the system.
Rant ended!
In reply to rustybugkiller :
Do you know who is actually handling your case? Does your employer have an internal department, or does a 3rd party handle the claims?
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
I have claims rep from WC. I also have a rep. from my place of work. EVERYONE I talk to passes my off to the next person / agency. This is unbelievably stressful.
This is what I would do. Go to the person at your work that handles this and have him three way call the wc and the eye doctor.
My experience is that you cannot just go to any eye doctor but the wc insurance co will send you to a specific one.
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