my 70 year old mother in-law tripped over a rug at work on friday (back room of a greeting card store) fell and her hand went into a power transformer box. she lost her middle finger completely, broke her ring finger, and my also lose her index finger. broke a couple of ribs as well. anyone familiar with how workmans comp works? what is covered? what to expect?

Each state is different, check with her employers carrier, and be sure she's filled out the 1st report of injury form the state requires.

Going the PI route will entail a suit against whoever is responsible/liable for the situation that caused her injuey which really means someones insurer.

Having a transformer box open enough to stick a hand in sounds like some serious code violations. A "trip and fall" because of the rug may be the secondary but those are usually fairly small, quick cases settled in a few phone calls between Attorney's and Insurance companies.

Most importantly, thank god she's not hurt worse, but make sure she's checked out and watched closely for anything hidden. That had to have been not only physicly painful but mentally painful and down right scary as ch|t!! Take care of her!!

sorry I don't know about how it works, but just wanted to say that is so sad. I hope she will recover OK

There is an entire litney of filings that can be done. First thing to do is get her worker's comp cliam filed asap so she has continuing income and coverage.

You may want to have OSHA take a look at the enviroment (transformer) since it may have been unprotected. It is a lost time accident, they should be right on top of it.

Documentaion, documentation, documentation.

There will be a final determination of whether or not the injury was "work-related" or not. There will be attorneys on the employer's ( insurer's ) side arguing that it was not. There will be settlement offers - do not accept them. She will be required to attend doctors appts and physical therapy - do NOT miss even one appt. Finally a determination of the degree of permanent disability.

Scott,
Call me and I will explain the process to you (1-800-530-3357). This is a work comp case as she was on the job when it occurred.
Dave.

Michigan workman's compensation

If you need any forms you can't find, PM me and I'll see if I can locate them

ps, I hope your Mother is doing ok