Hubby's accident update

[kuhio98]

We have no idea what to do - if we sue it'll look like we're money hungry.

Who cares about appearances? At this point, your family's financial security is at risk. If your husband ends up being permanently disabled, everything will come crashing down. There are a lot of people depending upon you guys right now.

I don't know any lawyers and have never sued anyone, but I'd ask friends and family if they know anyone that they recommend. It may take a long time to settle this, but you guys need help with medical and car bills. I say go for it.

[ramanth]

I'm so sorry this happened to you and that your hubby is in pain.

Don't feel bad about suing. It sounds like your only recourse at this point. *hugs and prayers*

[emily_the_spoiled]

About 10 years ago I was in a similar situation. (I was hit from behind and had serious back problems but I was only working part-time so I had no sick time to take off.) Like your husband I continued to go to work, which didn't help matters because I couldn't even lift my arm to reach a counter.

I know that only he and his MD can make decisions about his care, but if the drugs are making him really loopy maybe he should talk with the MD about taking a class of drugs called NSAIDS (aspirin like drugs but stronger). They have other side effects, but at least they don't have the loopy effect.

I also sued the other driver and it took almost 3 years before it was settled. The only reason it was settled then was because I was moving out of the country. What I want to say is that sueing is a long and involved process. If you aren't sure what you will get out of it, you should think about it twice.

[Glacier]

I think you should sue. It won't help immediately. It's a long process, but you should be compensated for the injuries. I sued after a car accident 8 years ago. I was rear-ended by a woman who was talking on her cell phone in rush hour traffic in Calgary! My neck was injured. I still have neck pain at times and will for the rest of my life. The lawsuit could not be finalized until my doctors and therapists all said that I had reached "maximum medical improvement"--as good as it is going to get!

Your hubby had back pain before right? My hubby has lived with severe chronic back pain for several years. I would be hospitalized begging for morphine if I had to cope with the kind of pain Stuart wakes up with every day! I'd recommend that he checks out a book called "the back doctor", by Dr. Hamilton-Hall. It's very good and will give him lots of non-drug, non-surgical ways to help reduce and cope with his pain. It will help you too--living with a pain patient can be just as hard for the spouse and family as it is for the person actually in pain.

[kimlovescats]

My goodness, Kim, I didn't even know about his accident!!!!
It's just one thing after another!!!! Bless your heart! Grant definitely needs to get his back taken care of, and soon! I pray there is no permanent damage, but he might need some physical therapy for a while!

As far as the law here goes, you just have to carry liability insurance, but I'm not even sure of the amount. I worry daily whether or not my "adult" daughter is paying for her insurance.

Law suits can always be long, drawn out and stressful things ... so I don't know what to tell you about that! Gosh, I'm not any help at all, I'm afraid! You are in my thoughts and prayers though!

HUGS,
Kim

P.S.... call me if you need a shoulder!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kim, I didn't know that your husband had been in an accident. I'm so sorry to hear this. I sure hope that he'll recover from this and won't have to live in pain for the rest of his life. You may need to sue even though you don't really want to. I sure hope that things will start getting better in your life. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please take care.(((HUGS)))

[pnance]

I was in a similiar situation about 8 year ago when I was in college. 4 cars and a semi were involved in pileup on the freeway, and the guy whose fault it was not only had an expired liscense but was completely uninsured. I was working and going to school at the time and like your husband continued at both using painmeds simply because I couldn't take time off from either. To even get my car fixed I had to claim against my uninsured motorists and I was reluctant since it was my own insurance company that was having to pay the claim and in the end only claimed to fix my car, my copays on medical visits and my rental, but not much more. Part of me regrets that simply because I do have some lingering effects even all this time later with neck pain. So I would say sue, even if you have to go against your own insurance company. Bottom line they usually go after the person that caused it once they've reached the maximum of his/her insurance.

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.