Attacked at work

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work as a supervisor at a sister ship of the largest hospital in Arkansas. I was attacked by an unknown assailant on 1/28/02. Approximately one month prior to this attack, I was responsible for the firing of an employee who came to work with a loaded 9mm. This individual also had a positive drug screen. I am not sure if the two incidents are related or not.

I have not returned to work since the incident on 1/28. I am suffering from PTSD (according to my MD). This entire incident, I feel has been handled very poorly by the facility I work for. It took over 2 weeks for Workman's Comp paperwork to be initiated and I had to camp out in the office of the person that handles this to get it started. I went to the ER the night this happened, but I was not actually given a full examination, however, an ER form appeared and it looks like I was examined. The information on the form is incorrect. It says I did not suffer a LOC, however, I did. It also states I had no complaints of HA or blurred vision, however, I complained that night and am still c/o both.

Many reports were filed with management prior to this about the lack of safety and security at the facility, however, nothing was done.

I am not sure which way to turn or what to do in regards to this and would welcome any feedback.

Thanks

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Mother Nature. I am so sorry to see you in such pain.

I have been there and have had the same treatment by my facility.

Now, in the morning find you a worker's compensation lawyer!!!

Not just any lawyer-get a WC lawyer......do NOT rely on your facility to help you. These attys work on contingency...in SC it was 1/3 of the settlement. That is a lot, but it is nothing compared to the zero help you are getting from your place.

Get this lawyer to arrange independent medical exams. Have ALL correspondence go through the lawyer. As soon as you hire him/her...talk to no one.

Please stay here with us. I know this is so very hard. We care. I care.

P

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Specializes in Nurse Education, Obstetrics, Surgery.

I am sending out (((hugs)))) to you!!!! You're on my prayer list for peace about this.

My advice would be to get a lawyer right away and find witnesses who saw you in the ER that night. Get everyone you can. I wouldn't tell them that you're thinking about a lawsuit or anything but need their witness for the worker's comp case. I don't think suing right away would be advantageous. I would use the lawyer to make sure you do everything "right" and that you don't miss anything to correct this situation. Unfortunately in this world, people and corporations tend to cover themselves instead of doing what's right. I'm hoping that you'll find honest people who could vouch for your condition at that time. Did you file a police report too? I understand the PTSD part. I had been involved in a road rage incident last year. I was the victim,of course, along with my 4 kids. My DH gave him our phone and address to try to settle it out. I was terrified for weeks because he really tried to run us off the road with his truck. Maybe you can go on a leave of absence for awhile at least til you get this resolved. Keep us posted! Chin up!

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Specializes in Nurse Education, Obstetrics, Surgery.

Oh, forgot.... if you can find a witness that can verify that you did not get a full examination and that the information was falsified, you can really get them for that.

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If many reports were filed with management prior to this incident concerning the lack of safety and security at this facility and nothing was done, sounds to me that this facility is trying to avoid a lawsuit by possibly falsifying documentation on the ER report. If you experienced LOC, how do you know you did not receive a full examination? They say you had no LOC. You say you complained of HA and blurred vision that night and are still c/o the same as of this date... They say you didn't complain. Have you seen a neurologist? How about a good attorney? I hate to sound so brazen, but you're probably going to need one. It's your word against theirs and you know how that goes...Don't really know what else to tell you. :( Surely someone else must have some input to this...

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Sorry to hear of your dilemma. If many reports were filed out to management prior to this incident concerning the lack of safety and security at this facility and nothing was done, sounds to me that this facility is trying to avoid a lawsuit by possibly falsifying documentation on the ER report. If you experienced LOC, how do you know you did not receive a full examination? They say you had no LOC. You say you complained of HA and blurred vision that night and are still c/o the same as of this date... They say you didn't complain. Have you seen a neurologist? How about a good attorney? I hate to sound so brazen, but you're probably going to need the good attorney. It's your word against theirs and you know how that goes...Don't really know what else to tell you. :( Surely someone else must have some input to this...

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oops. Sorry about that. Having problems with this box tonight...

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Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Care, Family NP.

Mother Nature, I am so sorry to hear about your pain and suffering then to top it off, your employer adding insult to injury.

I can't add anything more than the previous posters have, it's all good advice..GET A LAWYER!!

I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

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i too am sorry to hear about what happened to you.

my best advice, having just gone thru the whole workmans comp nightmare is ditto on the attorney and whatever you do...DONT TRUST THE HOSPITAL. NONE OF THEM. EVER. there is NOBODY there who is going to help you.

they want to settle this as quickly and as cheaply

as possible. if they have to sacrifice you, trust me, they will.

be very wary of everyone you have to speak to. especially case managers and independent medical exams. this is why you need a lawyer.

best of luck to you...hope you feel better soon.

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Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

The advice about obtaining your own lawyer that specializes in Workers Comp cases is right on. Never but your faith in your employers lawyer as the employer is the client and whom the lawyer must represent and protect. (This also applies in a potential mal practise suit.)

Be prepared to wait a long time for a final rsolution of this case as most cases take years to reach a final settlement, especially any case that may involve neuro or cognitive function damage.

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Specializes in ER.

((((((Mother Nurse)))))))

Hope and wishes for good health and a strong heart.

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