I was getting workmans compensation benefits for a few years. Now its reduced to $199.16 bi-weekly, not easy to live on. If I didn't have my son and husband helping with the little bit I take in, I'd be in real trouble.

This is humiliating and sad, what would a single person do reduced to this kind of decrease in benefit. Also, I was a strong independant woman who raised three kids with three jobs at one time.

I took great pride in providing for myself. I'm greatful for the help from my husband and son, but this feels horrible for me right now. So hard to find work.

I'm sorry for what you are experiencing as well. Employers can be such jack asses. I worked myself into the dirt just for them to toss me aside and replace me after eight years. I worked in a retirement home and they brushed me of without a backward glance.

This is what I have found in any situation where an organization is obliged to pay you: They will stall, stonewall, minimize and even lie outright. It's not in their interest to pay out. They are not your enemies, but they are also not your friends. I'm sure the individuals who work in these organizations are much like you and me, but their mandate is to maximize profit. You have to fight every step of the way.

The hard part comes when you have been weakened by disease or accident. You are at a supreme disadvantage to fight, and the organization knows it. That's when you need an advocate like a friend or relative. Failing that, you need a lawyer, which cuts into your profits. If you have a case but not much money, a lawyer will gladly take thirty percent on consignment. It's not fair, but it's reality. Best of luck.

After my first 3 surgeries in 1998 I got ltd. They constantly contacted me I felt like big brother was looking over my shoulder. They hired a attorney to help me with ssd when it got approved they reduced the amount quite a bit. It's through med life and it might be a different policy? But they do keep up with me. I went to vist my father in law one year in Canada (not sure how they found out) most likely through my Dr.'s notes (because they can acess my records at anytime). 2 weeks after we returned they called me and asked me where I went what I did etc. When I told my pain dr he said just beause you are disabled doesn't mean you can't visit a family member or never go on vacation. CRAZY!! I told them I went to visit a family member then they asked if I went on a sightseeing trip or cruise while there. I said no I just sit there and watched everyone else have a good time.
I completely under stand your pain!!!!
Nan

As we all know, workman's comp is not a permanent income. Eventually you will be cut off and have to file for federal disability (social security disability) and the longer you wait the less you get. I was working for the government as a nurse when I was hurt, got federal workman's comp for six years then the employer that I was working for lied too and told them I was offered a job that I could do but turned it down because I was taking care of my mother in another state which was a lie all around. I filed for social security disability when they cut me off of that and because I had waited so long after the injury to file, I only receive SSI instead off SSD which is much less than what I would have been getting if I could have gotten SSD, like 1/2 less. By then I was single and have had to make it on $638/mo, paying rent too.

It's like an extra kick in the butt to have things like this happen. Sorry to hear about everyone's plight here.