Misanthropist, I think you did a damn fine job of clearly analyzing your situation and doing the most important things that needed doing quickly and effectively. When you feel a little better you can reach around and pat yourself on the back for handling it that well. Hey, guess what... Now you will have a "weather ankle" to let you know when the fronts are moving in. 
But the rest of the story is that you may very well be in and out of the hospital for awhile yet. Your next hurdle is to avoid becoming depressed because your ankle is FUBAR. You will most certainly have to be involved with Workers Comp now, but insist on choosing your doctors carefully and don't just rely on some "doc in a box" walk-in clinic the Workers Comp people may try to send you to. They seem to try to have injured workers patched up by the lowest bidder if they can get away with it.
Be very, very careful about signing any papers related to your injury! This is extremely important! You will want to be sure you don't sign any sort of release before you know the long term ramifications of your injury. At some point in the near future I recommend that you see a good lawyer (yeah, I know, but sometimes you have to have one) who specializes in Workers Comp cases. If and when you decide to accept a lump sum settlement for your injury -- and only do this after the doctors and physical therapists have done all they possibly can for you -- the lawyer will get a percentage (maybe one-third), but what you will receive with the lawyer's help will probably be way more than anything you would have gotten without legal counsel.
Eventually, way down the line, you may have to participate in a hearing before what is called (in my area) an administrative law judge. It is just a sit-down meeting in an office between you, your lawyer, the Worker's Comp people, and a judge to referee and help decide how much your injury is worth. Be very wary of Workers Comp people because they will shaft you in a heartbeat!
Depending upon the extent of your injury and the resulting disability you might encounter, you need to make yourself aware of what Social Security Disability options you have. You need not be "totally and permanently disabled" to receive some temporary financial help from Social Security, as I understand it.
The medical can of worms is just the first part of your ordeal. The legal part -- for lack of something better to call it -- is another big can of worms. It will require patience on your part and you'll have to ask lots of questions of lots of people to hopefully get steered in the right direction. Remember, don't sign anything too quickly and be sure you understand what it is first. And not everybody who seems to be trying to help you is really your friend.
If my long-winded sketch here sounds like "been there, done that" you're right on the money!
But the rest of the story is that you may very well be in and out of the hospital for awhile yet. Your next hurdle is to avoid becoming depressed because your ankle is FUBAR. You will most certainly have to be involved with Workers Comp now, but insist on choosing your doctors carefully and don't just rely on some "doc in a box" walk-in clinic the Workers Comp people may try to send you to. They seem to try to have injured workers patched up by the lowest bidder if they can get away with it.
Be very, very careful about signing any papers related to your injury! This is extremely important! You will want to be sure you don't sign any sort of release before you know the long term ramifications of your injury. At some point in the near future I recommend that you see a good lawyer (yeah, I know, but sometimes you have to have one) who specializes in Workers Comp cases. If and when you decide to accept a lump sum settlement for your injury -- and only do this after the doctors and physical therapists have done all they possibly can for you -- the lawyer will get a percentage (maybe one-third), but what you will receive with the lawyer's help will probably be way more than anything you would have gotten without legal counsel.
Eventually, way down the line, you may have to participate in a hearing before what is called (in my area) an administrative law judge. It is just a sit-down meeting in an office between you, your lawyer, the Worker's Comp people, and a judge to referee and help decide how much your injury is worth. Be very wary of Workers Comp people because they will shaft you in a heartbeat!
Depending upon the extent of your injury and the resulting disability you might encounter, you need to make yourself aware of what Social Security Disability options you have. You need not be "totally and permanently disabled" to receive some temporary financial help from Social Security, as I understand it.
The medical can of worms is just the first part of your ordeal. The legal part -- for lack of something better to call it -- is another big can of worms. It will require patience on your part and you'll have to ask lots of questions of lots of people to hopefully get steered in the right direction. Remember, don't sign anything too quickly and be sure you understand what it is first. And not everybody who seems to be trying to help you is really your friend.
If my long-winded sketch here sounds like "been there, done that" you're right on the money!
