Acetabular Labrum Tear: Worried :-(

[SICU Queen]

I sustained at injury at work while another nurse and I were cleaning a very heavy patient who did not want to cooperate. I was originally told by the Orthopedic PA that I was sent to see that my injury was "acute-on-chronic lumbar back strain" and a "hip flexor strain". I was moved to my hospital's "Transitional Work" cost center (so I could do light duty and keep my paycheck), sent to PT twice a week, and was told to use a cane to offset the weightload on my left hip. After 5 weeks of PT and walking with a cane and continued pain with sitting and walking, was then told that it was probably mainly my back with referred pain to the hip. It was suggested that I have diagnostic steroid injections in my spine, but I insisted on and got an MRI done instead, which I found out, 8 weeks into my injury, showed an acetabular labrum tear in my left hip.

Yesterday, finally, after succumbing to tears from being in pain, I asked that I be transferred from "transitional work" to flat out Workman's Comp, pending my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to discuss my options. I have used up all my PTO/EIB trying to supplement the days I've missed during the past 8 weeks due to pain (I got my regular pay while in Transitional Work, but only for hours worked) and now that I am home, WC and short-term disability are going to net me about $550 a week until I am back to transitional or full duty and can collect a paycheck again.

I have done a lot of research about this type of injury, and it's looking as if a return to my bedside position (which pays VERY well) could be prolonged, and quite difficult. I'm also getting sort of a "vibe" from work... can't pin it down... but I'm sure they're not happy about me being out. I didn't listen to advice suggested on here before to retain an attorney as I felt sure that I'd have this whole thing wrapped up in just a few short weeks... but all that has changed... and to be honest, I'm not sure exactly what having an attorney would accomplish for me at this point. ???

I am WORRIED - about my job, about people (i.e. bosses and employee health nurse) thinking I'm trying to "work the system" when I truly am injured and in PAIN and as a result me not getting what I need, and about my finances. Has anyone dealt with WC before? I know nothing about it as this is my first time ever filing... and I'd love to hear the experiences of other nurses. Also, if anyone has had this type of injury, I'd like to hear about that as well. I am so stressed about all of this.

Thanks.

(Mods, I posted this in the "Nurses with Disabilities" forum as well; sorry in advance if double posting is an issue!)