Worker's compensation.
I really didn't know where to post this but wanted to share something.
If you are hurt at work I advise you to get a lawyer. I am 52 years old and was injured at 48. I trusted that I would be protected by strong laws and justly treated by the system.
You will be met by lawyers from your own company and the insurance company that they have engaged for worker's comp. The lawyers all go behind closed doors and you wait out in the reception area while they talk about who knows what. It may just be "how's your son doing?" but the fact is you are not allowed in and the familiarity that you see seems to put you on one side and EVERYONE else on the other. Long story short I was awarded permanent partial disability of 11% and was compensated for that amount of disability. Want to know how much that was? It was almost to the penny what I lost in pay while out on WC. My company was a good one and the VP is a good guy and they found work for me at home without a pay cut.
Now the company is going into rough waters and I am in jeopardy and am no longer able to perform the work that was my bread and butter for 30 years. Looking at the job market that I can now due I'll be lucky to make a third what I used to.
Don't trust the system to look out for you and don't let honor and pride keep you from getting all you can. No one is looking out for you or your family but you.
Thanks and peace.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm in a similar situation as you. I was hurt on the job, only to find that my employer did not have WC coverage. Even though my employer was in violation of the law, they still had every opportunity to appeal decisions, and delay treatments and compensation.
The state told me they wold pursue my employer into bankruptcy to recover monies paid out by the state. Nothing ever happened to the employer, no levies, no prosecution, no fines. My treatment and compensation is being paid for from WC surplus funds.
I appear at hearings when required, only to find all of the attorneys socializing outside the hearing room, and ignoring me and the other injured workers waiting, just like you say.
I've also learned it is almost a full time job, to manage your WC claim, with time involved making sure all records get where they need to be, when they need to be, and not get lost. It seems fairly easy for things to get lost, or misplaced, wrong coding for med treatments, and for there delays in payments. I've found the need to get copies of all paperwork to maintain my own files at home.
I totally agree with your last sentence, NOBODY IN THE SYSTEM IS LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR INTEREST, YOU HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR INTERESTS.
It's all about $$$$ first, you're nothing more than #2...
Peace and much love!
Now my life is going to be a long hard road of pain and disappointment. Peace and love back at you. 
