Workers Comp Help
Repetitive Motion Injury To Parts Assembler
My name is Jeanne Lagnese. I worked for Alkron Technologies. I am on disability with a repetitive-motion injury. I am engaged in a workman’s comp battle with my former employer. Despite medical documentation, Alkron Technologies is denying any liability regarding my injury. On May 28, I have a workman’s comp hearing to decide the case once and for all.
While at Alkron, my job title was parts assembler. My job entailed assembling and disassembling roller components for copiers and printers. The job required clamping and unclamping e-rings, gaskets, washers, etc. I had an order off 400 parts to do from Dec 1 - Dec 25. I stood up to do this job, using my right arm, putting maybe 10-15 roller assemblies in a row on a table. I had to bend and reach forward to work on the components furthest away from me. It took all the strength in both my arms to hold down, clamp and unclamp the components. Doing this 9 hours a day, I began to feel much pain in my right shoulder.
Not realizing what I was doing to my arm and shoulder, I continued to work through the pain to complete the job. After completing the job my pain was so severe, I brought it to my supervisors attention. He than sent me to their workman’s doctor. Upon examining me, he said that this was definitely a work-related condition, repetitive Motion Disorder. Despite my excruciating pain, I was sent back to work with some minor restrictions, but the pain was so severe, I could hardly sign my time-card.
After several futile visits with the workman’s comp doctors, I visited the Emergency room, my family physician, and an orthopedic specialist. I was told to stay out of work for weeks at a time and my employer let me go. He told that collecting unemployment would pay more than workman’s comp. However, since I was not employable, I was denied unemployment. Although I wanted to use my health insurance to appease my employer, the doctors all insisted that this is a workman’s comp issue.
Finally, after months of pain and suffering, and almost no income, I received an MRI through Medicaid. The MRI confirmed what my orthopedic specialist had suspected-a partially torn rotator cuff, severe tennis elbow, bicep tendentious and a frozen shoulder. The doctor recommended surgery which I am now awaiting workman’s comp approval.
I am taking part in the May 16th Rochester Protest of this national event because I have been fighting for the simple right to health and mobility. I have been frustrated by the callous treatment I have received from my employer, their lawyers, the state, corporate physicians, and workman’s compensation. I want to make sure my shoulder is repaired and my voice is heard. I will be protesting in front of the Workman’s Compensation Office: 130 West main Street, Rochester.