I have a weird feeling about this...

Aggiew · Nov 13, 2005

My wrist has been hurting for about six weeks. I don't know if I hurt it at work or not. It's been getting progressively worse, not better. Today, I moved a pad on a bed and heard and felt my wrist pop. I'm freaking out because I have no insurance, so medical treatment isn't really an option. My DON said to fill out an incident report and go to occ health in the morning. But the initial injury didn't occur today, it was exacerbated. It seems fraudulent to me to present myself as a workman's comp case when I didn't fill out a report and seek treatment within 24 hours of the initial injury per company policy. He said "Well, you probably DID hurt yourself here" which is likely, however, I can't prove it. Is there something wrong with this picture? I'm going to talk to the ADON tomorrow and see what she thinks. I need treatment, but not if I have to lie. What do you think?

:) Hello! Just wanted you to know that in our State (West Virginia), further injuring a body part that is already injured is still a compensable injury so, do not feel bad about it. Just get the treatment you need under Worker's Compensation and try your best to get back to work as soon as possible. This will show you have a good work ethic and are not trying milk the system like so many.

SharonH, RN · Nov 18, 2005

My wrist has been hurting for about six weeks. I don't know if I hurt it at work or not. It's been getting progressively worse, not better. Today, I moved a pad on a bed and heard and felt my wrist pop. I'm freaking out because I have no insurance, so medical treatment isn't really an option. My DON said to fill out an incident report and go to occ health in the morning. But the initial injury didn't occur today, it was exacerbated. It seems fraudulent to me to present myself as a workman's comp case when I didn't fill out a report and seek treatment within 24 hours of the initial injury per company policy. He said "Well, you probably DID hurt yourself here" which is likely, however, I can't prove it. Is there something wrong with this picture? I'm going to talk to the ADON tomorrow and see what she thinks. I need treatment, but not if I have to lie. What do you think?

I admire your sense of ethics but trust me, if your company doesn't feel they are responsible they will not pay for it and you can be assured they will investigate thoroughly before they pay anything. In fact, even if you had evidence and 4 or 5 witnesses, they would fight paying for it. Besides you don't know that you didn't injure it at work, in fact you probably did since you do not remember the initial injury and what can it hurt for them to look at it? Let us know how it turns out.

Nurse36_2000 · Dec 8, 2005

Sweetheart,

Some injuries do not present theirselves in 24 hours. Most all companies require that you report them immediately......that is a respectable request. If you feel you hurt yourself on the job , fill out a report. Most states give a long range for reporting....example, in Alabama, it must be reported within 90 days......if it is a cumulative trauma type injury, the rules are different....example, capal tunnel......can be reported 90 days from date of last exposure.......dont feel guilty if you are honest....good luck, certified occ health nurse