Oh, I'm such a girlie girl!!!!

[eliseanne]

Hey Everyone:
I always get so much from everyone on these boards. Such caring, hope and encouragement! I wanted to give the women on this board a little laugh. I am not a true blonde, but have been "doing" my hair for awhile now. But of course, with surgery and only being 4 wks post op, I haven't had a chance to get in to get a touch up. I have just been looking in the mirror for weeks now (you know your getting better when you look in the mirror and think you look like sh.t!) Well, I just couldn't take it. I had my hair done and I'm in AGONY from sitting so long, but am just jumping around with joy because my hair looks good! (the women that will think this is funny are just as vain as me!) I wish I weren't so, but I'm a "girlie girl" as my husband tells me.
So, I have a question: Am I being a total money grubbing jerk for thinking that $100,000. isn't enough for the horror I have been thru the last 2 years? The 15 yr old who hit me has a limit of 100,000. on her ins policy. I told my attorney that after the 2 days of surgery, hospital stay of 8 days, having lost at least 6 mo of work, (not to mention my LIFE) the pain, etc, I said I think personally its worth 3xs that amount! But the only way to recoup would be to go civil and they would claim bankrupt. I am having a hard time with this.... But of course, you all put it into perspective when I hear about your financial battles, not to mention the pain and frustration. I hope everyone has a very nice memorial weekend. I got to go out today for the 1st time since April 14th Woo
woo! I have cabin fever so bad, you just have to know what I'm talking about! You guys are my whole life right now. I get up in the am and quickly get on the boards just to keep up with everyone. I get on right before I go to bed to see if anyone has gotten a late night posting.... Boy, do I need a life right now!!!
Take care. Elise

[wbaker68]

Value of cases differs drastically from state to state and all usually depends upon how jurors react in trials in how well settling cases goes. If jurors are stingy, like in Delaware, values are very low. Surgery of course brings up value, as well as age(young), amount of PT, doc visits, future care is big also.

I would suggest if the attorney you have doesn't agree with you on what you think case is worth, he should offer to give you some jury awards for cases of similar injuries. My office also will pay another attorney of the clients chosing to evaluate the case if the client isn't happy with our evaluation. Just some options, hope all works out. Can't tell ya what your case is worth as each case is different based upon many many things.

However, I can tell you every client thinks there case is worth a million dollars and they really aren't worth 10,000 based on the decisions in our state. I of course understand their pain but valuation is so difficult and you have a have a good experienced attorney to give you a value. Another thing we do in our office is let another attorney not working on the case review the file and give a value, gives a unbiased opinion, may not sound like it because of same firm, bur really is.

Good luck.

------------------
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--scheduled for full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR

[Suddzrus]

I know how you feel, sorta. I am 3 months post op and I still can't get a life. I am still afraid to trust my body and now that I missed a semester of school I have to wait until fall to get back into the swing of things. I often find myself just reading this website nonstop. Sheesh, at least I'm getting out sometimes now, especially since my good friend just had a surgery he needs my support. Best of luck to you and I know you will do great. There is not enough $$$ for the pain and inconvienance you have suffered. Good night.
-Coby

[BAXTER]

Hi Elise,

Congratulations on the new do http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif I'm sure it was well worth it, especially since you are feeling so good, I can feel your happiness from here http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif

No, you are not being money hungry at all, what you have been through is worth so much more !!

I'm going through the same thing right now from my MVA.
The person that hit me has a larger policy than what your driver has, but I will settle for the policy amount in a heartbeat, rather than to sue her parents, as she was under their policy, and I don't feel right about hurting them by personally suing them, it was not their fault. I just can't go through that kind of thing.

My only dilemma right now, is that I had a previous thoracic problem that they are trying to use to reduce my settlement, so I'm looking at facing a trial at this point.
My lumbar is the only thing I claimed on the lawsuit, not my thoracic problem, but you know how insurance companies work, if they find one pre-existing problem, they will say that you were bound to have future back problems anyways.
It's pretty funny that I was in the process of seeing two doctors for my thoracic problem when the accident happened, wouldn't you think I would have mentioned low back pain to those doctors if I had it prior to the accident ?

I assume they are ready to settle with you now for the $100,000, or is that just what the attorney thinks you will end up with in the end ?

It is my understanding, but don't quote me, but it seems like the insurance company should still pay you the $100,000 now, and then it is up to you if you decide to pursue her parents later ? Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Sorry to babble on, but I think what you have been through is worth alot more than what they are offering to settle, especially since you have no idea this soon as to any long term health issue that you may be facing down the road.

When was your accident ?

I have to sign off in a minute, so I will catch you in the morning.

Have a peaceful evening http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/yawn.gif

Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

[This message has been edited by BAXTER (edited 05-22-2003).]

[wbaker68]

Suing one individually is real rare these days as it seems like most people who hit you have minimum coverage and no money, so there is nothing to go after. At least I haven't seen it much.

Most of the time your lucky if they have insurance.


------------------
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--scheduled for full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR