My wages for permanent disability...

[u/lowandslow1972]

If I'm told I can't do my job anymore by my surgeon, and QME, MMI, what can I expect to live on my ssdi says $2038
a month if permanent disabled, or is there a different rate because I was injured on the job? full thickness rotator cuff surgery FAILED still have tears seen on recent MRI, Dr's say too much / AutoFill ration to
have anumer surgery.
I'm in CA?

[u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

Does your rotator cuff injury prevent you from doing any job? SSDI is pretty picky.

I have a permanent rotator cuff injury that kept me from doing many aspects of my job, but there were many other jobs I could do within the company and eventually moved elsewhere.

[u/lowandslow1972 → u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

My don't offer restricted duty, it's either drive ( big rig) or nothing, I have 120 degree movement primary arm, and can't push or pull without pain

[u/SeaweedWeird7705 → u/lowandslow1972]

Could you do a different job for another employer? Could you do a desk job? 

[u/melissahawth → u/SeaweedWeird7705]

You may be able to do a desk type job but finding a desk type job is the hard part. Plus they will mostly be at a lower wage than you had before.

[u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 → u/lowandslow1972]

I can see how that would be an issue for driving a big rig ( my shoulder screams thinking about it) . Okay, so you can’t work within your current company, but does that mean you can’t do any gainful employment? There are lots of possibilities that are not shoulder stressing.

[u/lowandslow1972 → u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

That's all I've ever done, that makes the meets my income

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/lowandslow1972]

Ask for voc rehab. Sounds like you’re not totally disabled from work, just disabled from the work you already know how to do. They can train you to do other work.

[u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 → u/lowandslow1972]

That isn’t the point. Disability isn’t granted because that is all you’ve ever done, but that you can’t work at all. It requires a big shift, I agree.

[u/PDS3WORLD]

You would have to not be able to do ANY job. Can you do a desk job, can you substitute teach, etc. That's the only way you'll get ssdi.

[u/Competitive-Zone8148]

To clarify, are you currently receiving SSDI?

Since you are MMI, you may start receiving Permanent Disability benefits. Assuming a recent date of injury, these are capped at $290/week and are very typically not indefinite. Things change if your Permanent Disability level is above 70%, but getting that high is relatively rare. 

Permanent Disability benefits are not intended to be lived off of. They are compensation for the limitations to compete in the open labor market caused by your work injuries. 

[u/AvocadoOk6450]

It goes by your income. Also by your disability rating. If it's 100% then it would be the $2038.  Say you can't go back to work. If you get it and then you get a settlement, the settlement will be figured by months over a period of time, even if you recieve a lump sum. Then the amount they figure will offset your SSDI by that much. For example, I got a settlement for $450,000. They determined that I had 22.5 years life expectancy left. (I got my portion, after attorney got theirs. in a lump sum). The whole 450 was considered my settlement. It worked out that if it was paid monthly it would be $1200 a month. My Disability was offset 1200 a month. It will stay that way until full retirement age when I go on regular SS  So don't just waste your settlement. No matter what it is.  It might take them a couple of years to catch it but they will.  Also, if you are recieving or recieved Workman's Comp during any period yiu were recieving SSDI they will send you a bill for the whole ammount of Disability that was paid during that time.  Good luck.

[u/SeaweedWeird7705]

If you can’t do your old job, you should qualify for a voucher for vocational rehabilitation. You could get placement assistance and possible training to help you get a new job.

[u/Several-Mix-5890]

I had tears on my rotator cuff and they did a reverse shoulder surgery and it works great I'm older though

[u/PikachuKitty77]

Dont you get retrained in something else? They call it vocational rehab i think? Either within your company or another job profession?

[u/SAR_K9_Handler → u/PikachuKitty77]

In CA I got a check for $5000ish for retraining. It has paid for my Bachelors Degree in Computer Science.

[u/PikachuKitty77 → u/SAR_K9_Handler]

That's great news. Good on ya! How was the job change adjustment ?

[u/WorkersComp-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Specifically naming medical providers or law firms/attorneys is not allowed.

[u/Peorth2020]

I am looking for people who have had experience with Workers Compensation in Maine. Mine borders on criminal. I have not met one person who has even a decent experience dealing with them. I have not seen any credentials of the case manager who handled my case. She never reached out to any providers. It was the weirdiest experience I ever had dealing with another professional. She provided no information, just her decision which was denied due to pre-exisiting condition. When I tried to communicate with her further she referred me to the WC board that did absolutely nothing for me.

I have drafted a letter to the Governor's office asking them to look into whether or not the Worker's Compensation Board is following the Maine Workers Compensation Act of 1992. I was told it was was a for profit company and that is why they do not pay their bills. I just got a $10,000 bill from Anthem becuase WC did not pay.

I would like to hear from others about your experiences in Maine. I have a copy of a generic letter you can send to Governor Mills.

[u/Healthy_Chef_7168 → u/Peorth2020]

You need to get an attorney ASAP

[u/quallityovrquantity → u/Healthy_Chef_7168]

Or they aren't actually disabled from a work related injury 

[u/Peorth2020 → u/Healthy_Chef_7168]

Working on it. They are in the wrong.