Back Sprain At Work

To begin, I was injured in August 1985 and diagnosed with lumbar sprain, told I could have surgery if I wanted to the choice was mine, and given a slip to return to work. I did not go back to work because I was not well and continued to be in lots of daily pain so I stayed off from work for four years and went back to work in 1989 to the same job for the same institution. Later, I re-injured my back while using a Arjo-Lift to assist me in carrying a client to receive a bath.

I was given an accommodation which included using the lift only, when lifting or if there were adequate enough staff I was to direct other staff to do the lifting. Later I was transferred to another position and the accommodation did not follow me with the new position and doing heavier work I was injured again and the doctor put me a restriction with 10# for lifting.

My condition got worse and I was off from work for an extended period of time, while still unable to come back to work my director and insurance adjuster had a conference with me via the telephone, and the adjuster assured me that if I didn't return to work my benefits would be terminated, by now I'm divorced and the only one paying my mortgage and supporting my child so in spite of my condition and the pain I was constantly in I went back to work, was harassed about taking pain medication on the job, sometimes I was late especially when I had taken a sleep medication to be able to sleep because of pain.

My pay was docked, to say the least my life was made miserable by unfavorable employer practices changing my shifts and requiring me to do duties that worsen my injury and pain level. I am currently off, and on worker's compensation and now I'm being required to see a psychiatrist and a psychologist for evaluation and further testing. Oh yes, I forgot to say I was terminated from my job at one time for exhaustion of my sick time because of my on the job injury, went to court and got my job back,.

Lots of this story I have omitted because I feel its too much to tell all in one breath.

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