Anonymous asked this question on 3/12/2000:

Each state has a Victims Crime center, VA is limited to 15000. I have already reached my limit, however medical bills way exceed this amount and I have never nor will I be able to return to work full time SS denied of course, does any one have any other source that may help?

johnrecover gave this response on 3/12/2000:

I would like to help this situation, but something is missing in this post and I can't quite put my finger on it. Could you provide some more information if you would. John

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on

3/18/2000: I don't quite understand what you think is missing, but here is the long and short of it. I was severly beaten Jan.22,1997, my lumbar reqion has had 2 surgerys, my cervical region needs surgery, I have new curves in my spine, I have trouble with a lot of direct and indirect medical problems as a result of the assult. The guy was sentenced to 1 year in jail all suspended but 1 month, he was bad and had to go back and serve 4 whole total months and the judge said "he served time he does not owe the 2300.I ordered in court" I used the 15000 the VC offers (of course all documented) and that is the max for life. I can not sit for long, nor stand for long, I have managed to hang on to working 2 days a week, but am on oxycontin (a pain killer 24-7), because I have managed to work on pain killers the ss says I am able to work-its a catch 24, I can't get off nor begin to lead a normal life the pain is bad, so with them I lead as normal of life as possible and they don't mess up my head. The guy who did this has been in and out of jail, at one time he was in jail working on work release,ordered by judge, worked for over 3 months, but no one saw fit to collect the restitution. I have gotten screwed all the way around in this and thought maybe someone would know of something that is out there, other than congress. The guy has no money and is currently in jail again, hes also 50 something so I doubt things will change. I will need medical care for the rest of my life, can't keep my work insurance cause I can't work 32 hours, I have my husbands insurance, but it only covers 75%, better than nothing for sure, but 25% of a 100000 dollar hospital stay is out of my league. We ended up 2000 over the povety level so most aid is out of question unless we divorce or seperate, and thats not worth the money. I can't pay for attorney cause I don't think anyone can do any good and we make it now, but still only pay each month on all medical bills, they will never get caugt up or close. If you know of any dirrections please let me know Thanks Mary B

johnrecover gave this response on 3/18/2000:

Mary, thank you, sometimes when I know some particulars I am able to get a better insight into what can be done and what to skip. Please, give me a day to read over this and digest it. I picked it up Sat. evening at 10 pm PST. Thank You, John

johnrecover gave this follow-up answer on 3/19/2000:

Mary, http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/e-resources/ebooks/records/7379.html This page has a valuable source of information about civil matters and legal help with the direct home page of the federal government department that deals with this issue. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ This is the department of justice that deals directly with victims of crimes, on this site you can contact the director of this federal program. Here is another government agency focused on women and abuse http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/ These agencies provide all types of federal assistance in this types of matters that you are currently trying to resolve. I have some other means available to you which may be of help. Consider bankruptcy, you can file the papers yourself and avoid the legal cost except for filing, some people consider this to be an easy way out, but in your case, it may help. Contact HUD and see if they can help you with your housing cost, or apply for a Section 8 which is assisted housing. Also you can talk to your doctors and see if they have a program to write-off some of the medical cost or re-negoitate the amount. I for one would contact my local Congressperson and my Representative and inform them of your situation. They have people sitting and waiting to deal with issues and unless they have something to work on, they get paid to sit around. My last suggestion would be to draw you state disability for the period allowed in your state and work on this problem to resolution. That way your doctor can put you off work and you will still have an income until you can resolve this. You will have the time and not wear yourself out trying to work and do this too. Most of all, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't stop telling someone about this, you are looking for someone to represent you and be your voice, they are out there, you just haven't found them yet. Anything else I can do, please let me know. John

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