Posted on 10/23/2006 by Victoria
Viewed: 192 times
Hi Guys: Started a new job three days ago and last night in AM hours - I am a nurse, while charting and speaking with two witnesses/colleagues, a typically crappy old chair (reserved for serf-workers) that I was sitting in collapsed, and I landed on my ah, er, derriere.
My supervisor who was present, and helped me to get to my feet, immediately handed me Worker's Comp paperwork and I went to the ER of my choice for about 3 hours of X-rays, etc., per her instructions. When I got home, naturally, there was a less-than-friendly, curt message on my phone machine from the Director of Nursing telling me to call in and get instructions on how to follow through. I was told that one of the masses of papers I signed (watch it!) when being hired stated that they only honored their approved physician seeing me. So, I get to pay for that morning's emergent hospital visit. - (By the way, I have contusions from trauma and blood in soft tissues with radiating pain...) I was then told in so many words that I had "no choice" but to forget going to bed but head on to their own clinic-approved doc. I did. That took about another 3 hours. Same diagnosis.
These folks are now treating me like a leper. I am on light duty. ( I can barely walk; extreme pain and very poor range of motion.) No one has said "Sorry this happened to you... how are you?... etc." I've had phones hung up on me, ad nauseum. = Already a verbal confrontation with the clerk in the business office that is in charge of officiating all of this Worker's Comp. stuff. --- So, I am hardly feeling optomistic, may be out of a job and am being treated like I CAUSED this damage to myself on my third day of work! Help. - Somehow I think "they" are gonna do their darndest to deny me any assistance. For instance, they already demanded I come back to work today - after 23 hours without sleep and after having completed all work hours for the last pay period. Talk about pushing buttons.
Any advice anyone? I know better than to expect courtesy or compassion. Still, it's more than my butt that hurts!
Guess it means nothing that I carry a work-load of 30 geriatric patients in a 12 hour period.
POST A COMMENTavid reader(10/24/2006)
Feel better! I can only imagine how you must feel. Especially starting a new job and being treated that way. Everybody wants to make a good impression on a new job and now this! Ugh! Hang in there and I agree with the other commenters.
old Nurse(10/24/2006)
One of the first things a nurse learns is CYA so I assume that was done. Only three days on the job? Good luck but they can't get out of paying workmans comp, as for sick time, I doubt it. One of my best friends had exact thing happen to her, back was damaged, she was a diabetic, threw a clot in her leg, the leg had to come off, poor thing eneded up dying of this. Sure wish you the best, hope they treat you fairly and document everything. Let us know how you are doing on this.
HaveADamnNiceDay(10/24/2006)
Jeez! You poor kid! Unfortunately, it's interesting to note that those that work in healthcare are rarely healthy themselves... Perhaps you ought to imply that if they keep treating you like this you're going to get a lawyer on their ah, er, derrieres. ^_^ It's really amazing how much abuse they expect you to put up with. Wait--aren't you on LIGHT DUTY???? Shouldn't they scale back your hours???? What's going on?
Victoria(10/24/2006)
Yeah, to answer you, I AM scheduled for light duty and may start this Friday. I will call them the day before. W.Comp. called today for the recorded interview, (first thing they asked is: "Do you have an attorney?") - I am going to their doc if I still hurt tomorrow and will have an extended start-work date and we will go from there. -- They are putting me on Light Duty but essentially, the doc said I am limited to basically licking stamps or folding napkins, which is to say that I can't bend, crouch, lift, push, pull,....i.e. I am WORTHLESS! - I cannot BELIEVE this is happening. - I have always been an exceptional Super-Worker and have prided myself on my work ethic. It's embarassing in some fashion, but frankly, I am Telling the Truth, and am so deeply grateful that this freak accident happened with two company witnesses. I AM documenting everything. - Thanks so much everyone! - I will let you know what develops. With (painful) affection, Victoria
Dharmadee(10/24/2006)
I know you were probably joking but I hated reading that part where you said you were worthless. I hope you do not really feel this way. I admire you for the job that you do, I know it is not something I would be able to handle. I appreciate you, and I hope that someday you will be compensated for what you are really worth. I am so sorry about the corporate mentality that you are dealing with, which is so uncaring about your pain. Hope you feel better soon.
WalkingInMyOwnShoes(10/25/2006)
Yes, definitely get that ATTORNEY. The feeling of Worthlessness comes from the sudden shock, pain and the Codeine. Codeine can make you feel as if you are in a slow motion movie sequence. It's also hard to think clearly. Do you feel that way? Do not let your employer push you into any rash decisions. Do not go back to work until you feel a lot better or your injury will become a chronic condition! A lot of workmen's comp medical personnel, physical therapists and doctors can't wait to pronounce you fit for duty. Some employers including yours it seems have their own medics and so called "Independent Physicians" who will rubberstamp everything the employer wants them to do. They will even lie in court and file false affidavits. All for the price of a few hundred bucks and the return business. Don't want to scare you but I want you to heal and be 110% healthy and happy again. We desperately need good people like you. Get well and good luck.
Victoria(10/25/2006)
Thanks Walking, et al. - After an hour or so of the most horrendous, almost cinematic/hallucinogenic-seeming Codeine-induced nightmares, I spent next few hours awake, vomiting and up with at least a dozen (sorry, but I AM a nurse, remember) bizarre bowel movements. - I am still having the back pain, etc., which is non-stop, and I went to call their Family Medcenter but they - get this - called me FIRST, asking that I come in right away for ANOTHER DRUG SCREEN: "The seal on the urine sample broke." - So, it's back to the doc tomorrow. I AM CALLING AN ATTORNEY IN THE AM, TOO. Blessings to all, Victoria
FEAR_ARMY(10/25/2006)
I think the shabby treament you are getting is because they think you are exaggerating your injury since you just started there. I'd get the worker's comp and then when it runs out I'd quit!
Victoria(10/26/2006)
Fear-Army: Yeah, no doubt you make a good point. That is part of the whole freakishness r/t this accident. I don't think, if I were in their position, that it wouldn't be wrong to question the oddity and timing of this occurrence. Still, they actually called and asked how I was today (!) and are proceeding forth with a Light Duty schedule next week, which they moved up from tomorrow, since I am hurting. - Again, I am SURE they have consulted THEIR attorney and querried the two witnesses/employees, but that's appropo. - Thanks for your feedback. Victoria
WalkingInMyOwnShoes (10/23/2006)
Talk to a LAWYER NoW! Do not wait!
WalkingInMyOwnShoes (10/23/2006)
Sorry for your pain. You did not deserve this. Take care of yourself first. Your empoyer will twist and turn.You need somebody to guide you and warn you.
blola (10/23/2006)
I'm so sorry that you are being mistreated in a profession where you have always had to be the caregiver and now when you need TLC, it is not there. How can they demand that you return to work if their doctor has given you an order to rest and you obviously are in a lot of pain. And, why would you lose your job for an accident that happened on the job; something is very wrong here. You need to talk to someone higher up on the ladder. Good luck!
Jujubees (10/24/2006)
Immediately document everything that happened, what time, where , witnesses, every comment, phone call, written orders from both doctors, then contact your state's bureau of labor, and an attorney. Did the second doctor order that you take off from work? Did you get this in writing, if the Dr. did order it, call him and get it in writing TODAY!!! Do not go back to work, until given the approval of the doctor.
Victoria (10/24/2006)
I just got up and had a night from hell pain-wise. (Not due back till Friday.) I am expected to go see their doc if my pain escalates and have spent some time documenting everything. -Forgot to state why I titled this "Wheels of Disfortune" - the wheels of the chair rolled under me! - Anyway, I'll be in bed the next few hours on Codeine and cold compresses and am anxious to read any more comments. - I have no family and my only social contacts are through work as I work at night. - So, you cannot KNOW what this means to me! Warm regards from the cold compress, Victoria
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