Can you Help? Any suggestions? (See last paragraph)
My husband was injured in 1997, He worked in WV and we live in KY (however, he was a WV native and only moved to KY when we were married in 1995). We both had great insurance when he was injured, but they would not pay anything as it was a WVWC (West Virginia Worker's Compensation) claim. We have been through surgery, every procedure you can think of, a thirty day in-patient pain management program, numerous hospitals, physical therapy centers, over 50+ medications, etc., etc, etc.
I have contacted senators, representative and govornors in both states, in several administrations and keep getting the run around. We can't vote in WV so they won't help, and the KY groups we contact default to "It's a WV issue". Everything our doctors or we request is denied By WC, we appeal and months/years later it is reversed and approved, however, by that time the window for the treatment to improve his situation in most cases has passed.
In 1997, WV Worker's Comp was a State run program, but now it is handled by a private company named "Brick Street". However, they are funneling all the older cases to multiple third party administrative companies. We have been told that they are just trying to get people out of the system. They do pay for most medical procedures once approved (sometimes years later), however, his medication is a fight every month.
WV Workers comp has not paid us any monetary amount for years.
He has had 9-MRI', 11-IME's (Independent Medical Exams), other producures etc. We have had doctors tell us that due to WVWC non-or slow payment, we should find a doctor closer to home. BY THE WAY, He has been totally disabled through Social Security since 2000.
He lost our primary income, good medical, dental and vision, insurance, and, as most of you know this has changed our entire life plans. Dana has lost is ability to work (which he really loved), recreation such as snow skiing, golfing, hunting, fishing, etc., career opportunities/changes for wife, no additional children, moving from starter home to country, etc, etc.
After 12 years, "WV Workers Comp" is now wanting to make us a monetary one-time settlement offer. We do not know what the amount will be, but something tells us that their initial offer will be ridiculous. I agree with the one message that says, Workers Comp tries to physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially break you. My husband has never picked up our son, as he was born shortly after his accident.
Do you know of any way we can calculate what we have lost (wages, insurance, etc) and what our potential medical expenses may be in the future. My husband has chronic pain every day and is on 13 different medications and is probably looking at future surgery and/or continually declining health. He is now 42 years old. In WV, once you settle, no medical or prescription benefits will carry forward.
I want to be more prepared to present WVWC (Worthless Comp) with a breakdown of what this has cost us in every area of our lives.
Can anyone help!!!!
Wornout, tired and broke.
