A summing up? The Tale of a Workplace Injury, continued

[treehumper]

Almost 6 years ago I had an incident at work. I wrote about on here and then in an issue of the TCI magazine while I was recovering. I returned to work almost a year after the incident and have been working ever since. All during the time since then has been spent working thru the system. It’s a tangle of insurers, lawyers and doctors coming to a sort of conclusion before a judge.

The summing up as it were. This is the culmination of doctors evaluations and reports, insurance charts of values for various body parts, weeks times an averaged rate. Through this a figure is reached as a settlement to account for the permanent disability and all that the future holds. Oooh, the big payout! Not to be ungrateful but my lost wages alone were nearly double the settlement.

The settlement is meant to compensate for the reduction of utility of the injured limb, pain and yes, suffering. It’s not the end because the way the system works the clock ticks down 2 years in which any change can be grounds to reopen the case in order to seek medical attention. That will require more lawyers, insurers, doctors and eventually a judge. That will be the future.

 

[oldoakman]

Good to hear from you again my friend. Although it sounds like the process has had more of a toll than just pain and suffering. Sad truth is that the lawyers, while they do know how to wade through the legal muck, will probably see more money that you will. Stop by more often.

 

[dsptech]

They never factor in the lifetime of issues going forward and down the road from an injury.
I was badly hurt in a roll over at 20 yrs old.
Have nerve damage long thoracic nerve affecting my right shoulder.
That has led to issues with my posture and upper back problems and took a toll on my left shoulder for compensating for my right.
Also affecting my neck and right pectoral.

This did not happen all at once at the accident but was a slow progression that is still ongoing.
Keep all your Dr appointments and check in periodically with them to keep your case alive.
Settlement should include medical coverage for life for that injury and potential problems that could develop over time from it.

I was told nothing more could be done for me long after settling but made sure I had future medical as part of that settlement.
Many years had passed since I last saw my Orthopedic and when I did need to see him again yrs later the insurance denied payment.
Had I kept going regularly this wouldn't have become a problem.
Now I would have to hire a lawyer to go after them and would be costly.
Don't make the same mistake.

 

[treebilly]

Thank you for that insight @dsptech. Although I hope to never need it, it is useful information to have

 

[treehumper]

They never factor in the lifetime of issues going forward and down the road from an injury.
I was badly hurt in a roll over at 20 yrs old.
Have nerve damage long thoracic nerve affecting my right shoulder.
That has led to issues with my posture and upper back problems and took a toll on my left shoulder for compensating for my right.
Also affecting my neck and right pectoral.

This did not happen all at once at the accident but was a slow progression that is still ongoing.
Keep all your Dr appointments and check in periodically with them to keep your case alive.
Settlement should include medical coverage for life for that injury and potential problems that could develop over time from it.

I was told nothing more could be done for me long after settling but made sure I had future medical as part of that settlement.
Many years had passed since I last saw my Orthopedic and when I did need to see him again yrs later the insurance denied payment.
Had I kept going regularly this wouldn't have become a problem.
Now I would have to hire a lawyer to go after them and would be costly.
Don't make the same mistake.

Yes, that was a big part of the challenge in settling, making it clear there are ongoing issues that will require future treatment. I have reopening rights that must be acted on within two years. Basically I will just keep reopening the case every 18 mths. A rather stupid way to deal with what is deemed a permanent disability.

 

[treehumper]

Good to hear from you again my friend. Although it sounds like the process has had more of a toll than just pain and suffering. Sad truth is that the lawyers, while they do know how to wade through the legal muck, will probably see more money that you will. Stop by more often.

Thanks, it’s quire likely they did. Of the final settlement they get 20% but only 8% from my amount. They do get paid during the process by the insurer (which is strange in itself) so quite possible the total does exceed the settlement.

This is supposedly the best in the US. That makes it even more disturbing.

 

[rico]

What was your injury and how did it happen?

 

[treebilly]

Treehumper down and getting back up.

Literally. Accessing a pin oak to prune storm damage from Sandy and some dw I set my line over a 4" limb. Gave it a pull and it seemed sturdy. Set up the SRT, loaded the line and tested it several times with my full weight. So using a rope walking set up I began my ascent. I stopped to trim some...

www.treebuzz.com

I hope this works

 

[Bart_]

8 years sure went fast. keep on keeping on the best you can.
take care

 

[treehumper]

What was your injury and how did it happen?

Treebilly shared the original post. I also wrote an article for TCI magazine in the March 2015 issue.

Thanks Bart. I still climb and work everyday.

 

[dunderpaps]

great to hear your climbing again, i suffered a similar injury 3 weeks ago not work related broken ankle and spiral fracture tibia and fibia. i think its inspiring that you recovered from what is a devastating injury

 

[Bart_]

I had hard to describe mixed feelings when your original event transpired. It brought on a bout of introspection I dare say. The edit "and getting back up" was, well, I don't even know I just watched. Knock on wood I've only had near misses or small warning events. Things like the offset frankenstein zubat hand saw print scar (knee cap) and a spinning down chain plus git-r-dun plus fabric based gloves nipped a left hand fingerprint, a brittle ash top "what you wanted a hinge?" and a silver maple log popped hingeless and slid back through a union instead of tipping off the tree (yeah work out those dynamics in your head). I was pre-puckered and extremely conservatively positioned for the last one because it was exceedingly awkward to cut so I watched it scoot past below me - still a sobering moment due to its sheer weight.

Life can change in an instant, said, it is. (Yoda)

 

[rico]

Treebilly shared the original post. I also wrote an article for TCI magazine in the March 2015 issue.

Thanks Bart. I still climb and work everyday.

So a moment of impatience caused you to make the extremely bad decision to ascend on a "less than ideal" TIP...
Yet another example of skillset and judgement reigning supreme when it comes to safety, and more proof that PPE cannot always protect from bad techniques and poor judgement.

 

[treehumper]

So a moment of impatience caused you to make the extremely bad decision to ascend on a "less than ideal" TIP...
Yet another example of skillset and judgement reigning supreme when it comes to safety, and more proof that PPE cannot always protect from bad techniques and poor judgement.

Yes. I’ll. Just say that PPE in the usual definition wasn’t a factor in this. It was definitely poor judgement in setting up my access system.

 

[rico]

Yes. I’ll. Just say that PPE in the usual definition wasn’t a factor in this. It was definitely poor judgement in setting up my access system.

18-20 ft is a long way to fall and you were fairly lucky in that you didn't sustain more damage... Mad respect for you for putting the hard work and effort in to getting back in climbing shape.

In my work environment setting safe TIPs from the ground is a 50/50 crap shoot, and if there is even a shred of doubt its a no go for me...I love SRT but it definitely aint worth loosing my life over....

 

[treehumper]

18-20 ft is a long way to fall and you were fairly lucky in that you didn't sustain more damage... Mad respect for you for putting the hard work and effort in to getting back in climbing shape.

In my work environment setting safe TIPs from the ground is a 50/50 crap shoot, and if there is even a shred of doubt its a no go for me...I love SRT but it definitely aint worth loosing my life over....

Thanks, it is the lesson learned the hardest way possible. I’ve change my approach to setting TIPs.

 

[southsoundtree]

Rob, good to see you posting.

How has it affected your line setting?

Thanks.

 

[RopeShield]

two tips is better than one.
twss

 

[rico]

Thanks, it is the lesson learned the hardest way possible. I’ve change my approach to setting TIPs.

I am always looking for ideas and insights into setting TIPs and would love the hear about your new routine.

 

[treehumper]

@southsoundtree and @rico I follow proper protocol with no rationalizing. If I’m having a difficult time setting the line where I need it then I go lower and advance the TIP. As @RopeShield stated, two is better, and even three. I’ll look for unions that will allow for angles closer to 120° to better distribute the loading and reduce side loading. Setting is a major Union and redirecting through a lower union where the side load is in line with the limb.

The biggest thing is not getting caught up in the git r dun mindset and being patient.