Workers Comp Help
Disc Herniation While Moving A Patient
I am a 28 year old female. I am a ICU nurse and love my job. I have worked hard for three years at my current job which in turn they promoted me to a charge nurse position. In December of this year, I was moving a patient from the chair to the bed and heard a pop. I was out of work for two days, and went to an orthopedic surgeon. I told him of my terrible pain and horrible pain down my legs and in my toes. He told me he didn't want to hear it.
In turn I have been to the health clinic every week and to the doctor every two weeks explaining how much I was hurting. The doctor said due to Workers Comp regulation he cannot give my days off. I continued working in extreme pain for 4 months, and then on weekends lay on my back all weekend long. I have not walked outside, been to the grocery store, or had sex with my fiancée in 4 months. The doctor still diagnosed me with a back strain for 4 months and told me I would have to learn to live with the pain. I couldn't stop cry!
ing, Finally I woke up two weeks ago and was unable to move - I was unable to walk. I went to the health clinic and they said they could not help me. The doctor could not schedule me for an appt for three weeks. I went without pay for three weeks which in turn I had to move into a friends house and have hardly enough money to help pay for groceries.
My private insurance will not pay because it happened on the job. I didn't know what to do, so I have been using a credit card and going to a doctor I trust, I now owe about $2000. My MRI cost me $1000, but it showed a one herniated disc and 2 bulging discs, and I also was dx with degenerative disc disease.
I may have to sue, which I really hate because I work in the healthcare field. But I truly believe I was treated unfairly.