Wellness

[Kathy19078]

Has anyone been on worker's comp and received a lump sum settlement at some point? I fell on 6/20/13 at work and fractured my left hip. I was getting up from my desk and one of the computer cords was wrapped around my foot and I fell. I had a partial hip replacement and am still recovering. I have been receiving worker's comp each month since I fell. It is only a part of my salary. I finished going to physical therapy at the end of November, but I still have to go back to see the surgeon in January. I did not have any savings to help me.

Even though I was walking with a walker my doctor said I could go back to work with some restrictions on bending and stooping in August. When I told my employer I could return, they said my position was eliminated and laid me off. So now I am also paying for medical insurance which my employer was paying for before. The insurance I have does not include prescriptions so I have to pay for them myself. I am 64 years old and not eligible for Medicare until November of 2014. This additional expense has really upset my finances and I am getting behind on my bills so I am very nervous. I recently retained an attorney to help me with the settlement. (He will get a fee from the settlement.) He does not know how long it will take to get the settlement. I am doing much better and now using just a cane.

Now I have a bad toothache and went to the dentist yesterday and he said I need to either have it pulled or root canal. He is sending me to an oral surgeon to have it pulled. I have an appointment with the oral surgeon on Thursday, 12/26/13. I can't afford either one but I may be able to borrow a few hundred dollars to have it pulled from my son, who lives with me. My son is 32 and he does have a part time job and is looking for full time. My daughter who is 37 moved back home the beginning of June due to financial problems. She works at Target part time. So I am supporting three people here and struggling. I am divorced. Life is so very unfair. They cannot afford to pay me rent but they do buy groceries every now and then. I cannot even give them Christmas presents this year.

Anyone have any advice here about what I can do about my finances? I don't think I can get a loan and then pay it back because my credit is in the toilet due to missed payments and paying late. Sorry this is so long but I am really upset about all this. Any advice here will be appreciated. Thank you.