Got hurt on the job. :(

[Simp]

Some of you guys may recall I started a new job at the beginning of the year. It's been great and I really like the job. I've been doing well enough that a month ago I was offered a full time position even though I'm still in the initial probation period. Today it took a small step backwards. The job is really 3 or 4 jobs that you learn and do one each day as assigned. Today I was assigned the least favorite job that you have to do once a week. because we rotate it to avoid burn out. It can be very physical and contains some risks to it. I just didn't see this one coming. I was loading a large washer that cleans these large carts that we use as transports. I opened the washer and loaded one cart in and walked to get the second one. Well I guess the steam that rolled out when I had opened it quickly turned to some water puddles on the floor. I new saw it and BAM! It was kind of like being on a ice ring and falling. My legs did some things they shouldn't have and I twisted like a pretzel trying to brace myself from failing too hard, That ended up being the problem. At first, besides a little neck pain I didn't feel all that bad and my heart was beating a mile a minute though. After I settled down though I noticed my back becoming stiffer and stiffer, then it started to spasm on me. I felt like a moron having to tell my supervisor I just busted my *** and fell hard. To make things short we walked to the ER. I filled out a ton of paper work, saw a doctor and got xrays. Told I can't work until friday and was then told to go pee in a cup to make sure I wasn't high or drunk.

[Grey Wolf]

Sorry to hear about your accident .I've known a few people who lost their job because of that cup.

[slonezp]

Make sure you go to therapy. Your back is nothing to mess with. If the pain continues you may need an MRI to detect any tissue damage or a herniated disc. I slipped a disc 18 years ago and still on ocassion have issues with it.

Also it's against the law for your company to terminate you for being injured on the job. If they want to fire you or not pay your medical expenses get a lawyer.

On March 15th of this year I was on a jobsite, stepped on a manhole cover, it flipped up and I went in. I injured my knee, hip, back, and shoulder. I had rotator cuff surgery in May and won't be returning to work for another month Just sitting home getting fat ;D

Good luck to you. I'm going to say it again. Don't mess with it. Make sure you do what the doctors say and go to therapy.

[roadwarrior]

I hope you recover quickly!

-Kent

[flechero]

Sorry about the injury- listen to them, and get all the treatment you need.  Nothing worse than lingering injuries... trust me.

SOP on a worker's comp claim is the drug test... in most cases you aren't even allowed back to work until results comes back (clean). 

[grimlin]

Dang man,you too now?

I fractured my wrist last month on the job.Being on restrictions duty sucks hardcore.I pride myself on being a hard worker....now all i do is sit around work doing nothing watching and seeing nothing get done.It's absolutely murder to me.

Our osha accident rate is 11.65% right now for our company....the company goal is 4%.....We almost tripled that number right now.Not good.My honest opinion is people were working so hard trying to keep their jobs in this brutal economy trying to look good for their employers and now people are getting hurt more often.  We are making to many mistakes safety wise.

Drug tests doesn't bother me...I don't do drugs.I know a few people who would fail it in a heartbeat though....

[Simp]

Dang man,you too now?

I fractured my wrist last month on the job.Being on restrictions duty sucks hardcore.I pride myself on being a hard worker....now all i do is sit around work doing nothing watching and seeing nothing get done.It's absolutely murder to me.

Our osha accident rate is 11.65% right now for our company....the company goal is 4%.....We almost tripled that number right now.Not good.My honest opinion is people were working so hard trying to keep their jobs in this brutal economy trying to look good for their employers and now people are getting hurt more often. We are making to many mistakes safety wise.

Drug tests doesn't bother me...I don't do drugs.I know a few people who would fail it in a heartbeat though....

Ya I'm not worried about the drug test either. I'm clean and I always have been so I'm not worried. Backs still a little stiff but my pain meter is pretty low on it. Supervisor just called and said I'm welcomed to come back any time and she was mistaken when she thought I had to wait until friday. I told her that I feel pretty good and would come in tomorrow if it felt ok, but I'd call in the morning if it was still pretty stiff. My fear is going back to soon and lifting something and making it worse. So I'm going to take the cautions path here and if I don't feel up to it stay home. Mentatly I'm king od fighting myself here because I want to work, but at the same time what good does it do anybody if I hurt myself more.

[Sam]

To have a successful Workers' Compensation (WC) claim you have to:

1.  State the time, date and location of the accident.

2.  Not be on any drugs.

3.  Have a witness, if possible.

4.  Report the incident to your supervisor immediately or as soon as possible.

5.  Fill out a WC report.

6.  Go to the physician on the "Panel of Physicians" is there is such a panel in your area.

WC will cover your medical bills and any lost wages if you are out more than the number of consecutive days allowed by the WC statutes in your state.

If you want to keep the career going may I suggest returning to work and offering to do anything modified duty if you can't do your assigned job. You do this until you can go back to your regular duties.

The doctor you see will let you know when you are to be released back to duty or modified duty.

Just remember that unless the physician is in a "special provider program with reduced fees" with your WC carrier there are no fee reductions and some doctors will keep you off duty so they can make more money.

Group health insurance companies have provider discounts that greatly reduce the amount paid to the providers but usually WC claims do not fall into any discount programs so the doctor can charge anything he wants to the WC carrier.

Talk to your supervisor about returing to work.

Sorry you got injured and I send my best wishes for a speedy recovery. 

[b.Lee]

Speedy recovery man!

[grimlin]

Dang man,you too now?

I fractured my wrist last month on the job.Being on restrictions duty sucks hardcore.I pride myself on being a hard worker....now all i do is sit around work doing nothing watching and seeing nothing get done.It's absolutely murder to me.

Our osha accident rate is 11.65% right now for our company....the company goal is 4%.....We almost tripled that number right now.Not good.My honest opinion is people were working so hard trying to keep their jobs in this brutal economy trying to look good for their employers and now people are getting hurt more often. We are making to many mistakes safety wise.

Drug tests doesn't bother me...I don't do drugs.I know a few people who would fail it in a heartbeat though....

Ya I'm not worried about the drug test either. I'm clean and I always have been so I'm not worried. Backs still a little stiff but my pain meter is pretty low on it. Supervisor just called and said I'm welcomed to come back any time and she was mistaken when she thought I had to wait until friday. I told her that I feel pretty good and would come in tomorrow if it felt ok, but I'd call in the morning if it was still pretty stiff. My fear is going back to soon and lifting something and making it worse. So I'm going to take the cautions path here and if I don't feel up to it stay home. Mentatly I'm king od fighting myself here because I want to work, but at the same time what good does it do anybody if I hurt myself more.

I know exactly how you feel right now. You are exactly right.

[Gone_Phishin]

Great advice Sam.

Simp, I would start writing everything in a journal. No matter how mundane something may seem, document everything every day.

I am in the middle of a horror story with work comp, and that's some of the best advice I could give you. Also, keep your cards close to your vest. And finally, if you are assigned a case manager from work comp, he/she will try to come off as your friend...do NOT trust them for anything.  If you are still hurting, do not tell them you're feeling better; if you give an inch, they will take three feet.

Good luck buddy, hope you heal soon.   8-)

[Simp]

Thanks for all the support and information guys. I'm going to try and see my local doctor today and make sure he thinks it's muscle related only as well. I'm kind of getting that "You better get your @** back to work" feeing from the head hancho from my department. I've got ETO time to cover my pay the last couple days but it's about gone now. So as long as my regular doctor gives the ok I think I'm going to give it a go.

[Eddie Munster]

Sam has some great advice; talk to your boss and let him know you want to work in some form or fashion until you're cleared to do your other job.

Good jobs are highly sought after at this time with the economy and if you value this one, don't mess around.

Good luck man.