
The Flint Journal & Genesee County Bar Association’s “Ask the Attorney”
Q&A by Attorneys at MACDONALD & MACDONALD PLLC
Recent Columns
- Q. I was injured on the job. What benefits can I receive? (April 2007)
- Q. I was injured at work. My employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company picked a doctor for me. They hired a “case manager” who wants that doctor to send me back to work. The doctor is not helping, I am still in pain and unable to work. What can I do? (May 2007)
- Q. I injured my back on the job and am in too much pain to work. I did have a back problem years ago. My employer’s insurance company says I can’t get workers’ comp because I have a “pre-existing condition.” Is this true? (June 2007)
- Q. I was hurt on the job. Because I can’t perform my original job anymore, my employer is giving me a light duty job within my restrictions–but it only pays minimum wage. I can’t afford to support my family on that. What can I do? (July 2007)
- Q. I was injured while driving my own vehicle in the course of my employment. What are my options? (August 2007)
- Q. I was injured at work. I am trying unsuccessfully to do a job with restrictions, so I am thinking about just retiring and taking my pension. Can I do that and then pursue workers’ compensation? (September 2007)
- Q. A friend and I were both diagnosed with the exact same medical condition. She got Social Security Disability benefits right away with no problem, but I was turned down. This doesn’t seem fair. What can I do about it? (October 2007)
- Q. I can no longer do my job due to a work injury. I asked to be retrained. Instead, the workers’ compensation insurer hired a company to “train” me how to write a resume and to make me apply for dead-end minimum wage jobs. Can I get the retraining I really need? (Nov 2007)
- Q. I was hurt at work and can’t do my regular job. I’m receiving workers’ comp but my employer is offering me a different job– for much less pay. What should I do? (Dec 2007)
- Q. I receive weekly workers’ comp checks due to my disability. My employer wants to offer me a lump sum buyout in which I give up all my future rights to benefits. What should I do? (March 2008)
- Q. I became disabled from a work injury several years ago. I can barely survive on my $200 weekly comp checks and on top of that, my employer just cancelled my health insurance. What can I do? (May 2008)
- Q. I am receiving Social Security Disability, but I want to try to return to work. If I try, will I lose my benefits? (June 2008)
- Q. I have been out of work receiving disability benefits from work. Should I also apply for Social Security Disability? (July 2008)
- Q. My doctor told me to stay off work while I recover from surgery, but my employer’s insurance company is telling me I must apply for new jobs in order to receive a workers’ compensation check. Is this right? (August 2008)
- Q. How do I sort through all the flashy ads and choose the right lawyer? (October 2008)
- Q. I was hurt on the job and have not been able to work for the past month. Shouldn’t I be receiving workers’ compensation by now? I’m starting to fall behind on my bills. (Nov 08)
- Q. I’ve spent years at work lifting and moving heavy boxes and now my back hurts so bad, I can no longer do the work. My employer is telling me that because I cannot identify “the date” I was injured, I cannot collect workers’ comp. Is this right? (Dec 2008)
- Q. Despite a recent work injury, I am still able to do most of my job. My employer however has started disciplining me for no reason and I fear I will be fired. What are my rights? (Jan 09)
- Q. I took on a second part-time job to help pay my bills. I was injured on that job, and now I can’t do either of my jobs. The part-time employer’s insurance company is paying me 80% of the after-tax wages of what I made with that company, but I can’t survive on this money alone. What can I do? (April 2009)
- Q. I was injured on the job and my doctor wants me to stay off work. Instead of paying me workers’ comp, the insurance company sent a “vocational expert” to my house to interview me and that “expert” wrote a report stating that I have the qualifications to obtain a different job. Is this right? (June 2009)
- Q. I was injured at work, but my employer’s insurance company won’t pay me workers’ comp. Will I have to sue? Where will my case be heard? (Dec 2009)
- Q. I injured my knee at work. My pain got so bad that I couldn’t walk and I had to have a knee replacement. I have a desk job and didn’t miss time from work. Am I entitled to any workers’ compensation? (Feb 2010)
- Q. I am disabled because of an injury I sustained on my way in to work. Can I receive workers’ comp benefits? (April 2010)
- Q.Why does my age matter to Social Security Disability? (June 2010)
- Q. Aren’t most people suing to collect workers’ comp really scam artists looking for a free ride? (August 2010)
- Q. I was injured by a drunk driver in an auto accident. Can I sue the driver for my injuries? (Sept 2010)
- Q. I was injured at work several weeks ago. I still hurt too much to work. My doctor wants me to stay off work. My employer’s insurance company cut off my workers’ comp benefits after hiring a doctor to examine me who told me to go back to work without restrictions. What should I do? (October 2010)
- Q. I was hurt at work and I am trying to get medical treatment. My employer and its workers’ compensation insurance carrier are refusing to pay. I also have Blue Cross. Can I bill Blue Cross instead? What should I do? (November 2010)
- Q. I was injured at work. My employer gave me light duty for four months, but now I have been laid off. Can I receive workers’ comp? Should I file for unemployment instead? (December 2010)