Workers Comp Help
Workplace Shoulder Injury
I had my first shoulder pain flair up in 1994. I called workers' comp as soon as I had the pain and told them I felt the child proof caps had caused it. I was treated with steroid shot and it resolved. In 1997 and 1999 I had additional flair ups that were worse each time. the doctor had me take anti inflammatory and perform physical therapy.
The diagnosis all through this was always changing and that made me nervous. I went through my own insurance to a doctor for an evaluation. He suggested a definitive test which was expensive and I lobbied for and got it. It revealed a scuff or tear of the cuff and I had surgery in 2001.
I retained the services of an attorney prior to the surgery to watch dog for me as I didn't want the company to do anything illegal regarding its actions to me.
Well, in the fall prior to surgery my district manager asked me why I don't find another job if my shoulder hurts me and from then on I felt isolated and instead focused on my health needs. I never heard from my district manager after that. I e-mailed him about my surgery but on the last day on the schedule i called the scheduler to make sure there was coverage for my days. Until 3 months after surgery, I never heard from my management. At that time, they wanted to know when I would be returning.
During the 4th month after surgery my doctor authorized return to work with restrictions and I called my district manager. he said that the decision to have me back or not under restrictions would come from Human Resources. I never heard from anyone since then. I visit the doctor in 2 weeks and expect to be able to return to work with the following restriction:
The push and turn prescription vials at work hurt my shoulder with repetitive use. I was able to show my doctor documentation regarding the push and torque needed to open the and close the caps. that is why he wrote with restrictions--no push or pull over 5 pounds. When I see him again in 2 weeks I will show him the prescription vials the competitors use--they require no torque, and are thus easier on the upper body. I am requesting that he document that I need to have the zero torque child proof prescription vials in my workplace. Once he writes for that, my company will have to procure them for my store. This is not difficult as the vial manufacturer makes both styles of vial caps.
In March the doctor wrote for the need for my workplace phones to have headphones--both phones. To date no headphones have been sent to the store.
I am staying positive on the issue of my needs and expecting that the company will follow up with the Doctors orders.