So basically you got a fusion at the L3-4 area. I've never heard of anyone having a complete disc removal.
Your Attorney is totally right, Regardless if you had your back repaired from a previous work injury, if your re-injury occurs while doing work than you are covered as it contributed to the injury of the already compromised area.
What I've heard is if you settle on that injury you can not ever settle again but you will only get the medical treatment.
I wonder if they pay you if you have to be off work. I never asked about that.
Good luck and hope you get your surgery before the year 3000
what i bolded...i am not entirely sure what you mean to be saying.
but, for a moment, getting back to the first operation, back in 2001.
i could nearly swear that doctor i had back then said, "i go in, remove the disc, put in bone material, use rods, nuts and bolts, and it fuses together."
the very first specialist i saw (and thus the second opinion that lead me to the operation doctor), he said,, "i go in trim away the disk that is bad and fuse it, and you're good to go"
well after the second doctor (the original operating doctor) said he goes in and REMOVES the disk, of course i knew that to be the better way to go, as anyone would know, once a disk is compromised, it'll always be able to deteriorate faster, or at least, that was MY understanding.
so in all frankness and honesty, all this time, i thought the 3-4 disk have been 100% removed, bone fragments placed, and the hardware.
but as i may have mentioned, even the attorney said, no, the backbone still needs a cushion.
but yes, i am still under warranty from this second operation if as you say, it gets done before the year the world ends, in 3000.
getting back to what i bolded..??
if i settle, which i will not do for a long time yet, i'll have to ask if i get continued health care from them, but i'd (right now) i highly doubt that.
i'd be of an assumption, that once settled, it is all done and over with, i have to sign off on the employer, with a promise i cannot go back after them, that much i do know as of now.
most likely, i will have to either get on total disability till i am 65, the off that and onto regular SS at 65. i cannot collect both, i think everyone knows that.
all i can do for the time being is sit, and wait.
and update all of you, as time warrants.
but in closing i will say this much, way back when i first started this thread, someone (who's name i will not mention) made reference to healing quickly and back to work as he has done or others have done.
first, i am about 15 years OLDER than my first operation. i did not heal FAST when i was 15 years younger, took me nearly 6 months to get back to work. being OLDER has it's issues with everyone, as NO ONE ages the same. NO ONE heals at the same rate, or fully heals 100%.
i had come to the conclusion nearly the first day of my injury, my days are over with as far as driving and maybe even working ANY job, as i cannot sit, stand, or walk for any length of time.
there is a constant pain, (varying levels) a constant numbness of the right side, and (at times) the left side goes numb as well. i stumble when i walk, so much so, i have fallen. so as anyone can "see" i have my limits.
at the office visit yesterday, it was ingrained into my head for the umpteeth time, the new updated surgery may correct my back, but NO guarantee the nerve damage will heal or go away. then ANOTHER operation may have to be done, but what do i do at that point.>???
risk it..???? end up in a wheelchair..?? end up bed-ridden..?????
i wished to God Almighty, i never got hurt.
but i did.
workman's comp, as we all should know, DOES NOT pay me a full week's pay, like i used to earn...........
but i am busted man, and will remain a busted man, till something shakes the tall tree the insurance company occupies and looks down from.
but if you don't mind..???
please elaborate further on what i had bolded from you, unless i just explained it...??????