Workers Comp Help
Problems Getting Worker's Comp After Injuries At Work
I am currently fighting with a company that has been forced on me, because the insurance company that represented my employer went bankrupt. First let me say that this was a job that I loved and looked forward to going to.
My first injury occurred in 2000 and was the result of doing as I was told. I was moving a bed and pulled something in my back. After approximately a month I was allowed to return to work.
Then in 2001, I suffered another injury due to negligence on the part of the employer. I slipped in grease that was left on the floor the night before. I fell landing on my back and catching myself on my left elbow. After this I was laid off for approximately one week and returned to work and went to one of the houses I was managing to find trash strode all over the ground my what I believed to be a bear.
In picking up this trash in the pouring rain I stepped over on the steps that were made from rail road timbers. They were covered by moss (which I had complained about on numerous occasions for the safety of the guest staying at this house). I fell on the back and right shoulder and after some time managed to crawl to the car radio asking for help. Help arrived about 45 minutes later to find me semi-conscious and soaking wet and in severe pain.
I have not been able to return to work due to panic attack disorder, surgery on the right shoulder that stills has severe pain, lack of motion, strength deterioration, a perforated disc and the worst of all this is what has occurred in my personal life due to these injuries. My marriage ended, my children are being raised by my soon to be ex-husband, and my physical condition has worsened with each passing day.
I have been refused medical attention pertaining to these injuries and my mental state is frightening. IME's by several doctors all come back about the same, word for word. They have cited the same problems. I reside in Virginia and in the last weeks I have went to appointments, (hours from my home) to arrive and find they were cancelled by reps of workers comp. I am being sent next week to a doctor that is four hours, one way, from my home.
These people are aware that driving or even riding for long periods of time is very painful for me. My lawyer has made me aware that the laws today are not made for the injured and that my fight will be a difficult one. I have been told I can not touch the multi-million dollar company that I was employed by and that they won't even get a slap on the wrist for the negligence that occurred at their hands.
I have bills that they have not paid that have ruined my credit. My children have had to completely change their lifestyle because I can not provide for them as I had before. My lifestyle had to change to avoid the pain by taking away pleasures that were once a way of life. Things that I once enjoyed (like raising horses and horseback riding, 4-wheelers, helping coach my children, swimming and just simple things like long walks with the family. I don't care if I'm eating peanut butter sandwiches 3 times a day but my children should not have to be punished for this wrong doing. I was only doing as I was instructed. I wish each and every day I had refused the direct orders of my boss and just let them fire me. At least I would be healthier. It sure doesn't pay to try and do good.
My injuries are permanent and my employer could care less. He continues to get richer at the hands of the owners and they probably don't have a clue as to what I was subjected to. The employees continue to suffer and the one that created this situation has no worries.