Employee Accident

[BeHappy!]

Here's the story of what happened to me this past Thursday. I work in a Pediatrician's office. I was reaching for a notebook that we pull out of a bookcase hung on the wall at least 5-6 times a day and the whole thing came out of the wall and came crashing down on top of me. It cut my hands, hurt my arm and hit me in the back of the head. I was holding my head and crying with the mess from the bookcase all around me. The Dr. I work with ran in and said "oh thank goodness it wasn't a patient!" and then had the nerve to ask me if a book hit me in the head. I told her "no, the book hit the floor the bookcase hit my head and my head hurts." She told me to take a tylenol. I told her I was leaving and going to employee health. My manager told me she thought I should go as well, being a bit more compassionate than the MD. The bookcase mind you is about 5 1/2 ft tall and about 5 ft in width full of stuff along with things stacked on top of it as well. I checked the wall to see what happened and the four large screws in the back had not been anchored into a beam or with the plastic anchors. There were also multiple holes in the wall where there had been numerous attempts to hang it. I went to employee health and the nurse checked me out. I have a contusion on the back of my head as well as bruising on my lower back and a sore right arm. The nurse told me to come back in the morning when the employee health MD is there. I saw the MD that works with employee health the next morning and he told me to ice my back and my head and if it's still bothering come back monday morning. The MD also requested a safety inspector go out to the office immediately to check for potential problems. I'm feeling better than yesterday but I'm still light headed and Ibuprofen isn't helping my head much. I may not even get paid for the time I had to take off because of something that wasn't my fault. The hospital said under state law you have to be out 21 days and even then they would only cover the first seven days. Then I was told it would have to come out of my PTO which I don't have enough of since I'm new. A nurse in employee health thought I should talk to my manager since it's ultimately up to her if I get paid or not. I talked to my manager on the phone and she said "I know nothing about that I'll have to talk with (MD in the office.)" I would hope they would if they care at all. I'm feeling irritated with the whole situation and how it was handled at my office. Just needed to vent a bit. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

[Katnip, RN]

Check your state laws on the state's Worker's Compensation website. Mind you, not all companies are required to proved WC but most larger ones do. Each state has different laws.

[KellieNurse06]

Wow..she didn't ask if YOU were ok??? Just thank God it wasn't a patient??? Ummm.....obviously by seeing you it wasn't a patient...what a concept.

Ya I'd be pretty taken aback as well if it was me. Did the doctor even call you to see how you were feeling???? If she has any class or compassion , she would at least call you to see how you feel......I don't know..that's just how I would be if it was me, and one of my employees got hurt. Some people just don't get it...

[zumalong]

Sorry that had to happen to you. Definately check with worker's compensation--I would also go to your own physician to have him check you out. At the least they could do was pay you for time missed. Good Luck

[TazziRN, RN]

Do your own research about the comp laws. I realized each state is different but 21 days without pay seems like a lot. And the part about only the first 7 days being covered makes NO sense at all.

[RN BSN 2009]

yes that doesnt make sense... maybe a consult with a work comp lawyer may help

[shellsincanada]

I don't know maybe the dr was thinking a patient would be a child since you work in a pediatricians office? a 5 1/2 foot bookcase would do more damage to a child then an adult.

[TazziRN, RN]

True, Shells, but what about afterwards? "Take a Tylenol!"????? The doc should have been concerned about the employee after finding out it wasn't a child.

[justme1972]

I would be looking for another job, since your currently employer seems to be completely heartless. Meanwhile, I guarantee that they will pay you for the days when you put in your notice...state law may not require them to pay under workman's comp, however, if you file a small claims suit, a judge would most likely think that you were being very understanding for only seeking your medical bills and lost wages.

[loricatus]

If your employer does not have workman's comp then you have the right to sue your employer directly for the lost wages, plus damages (pain and suffering). The purpose of having workman's compensation insurance is to prevent the employee from suing the employer directly. If the employer chooses (in states that have this option) not to carry workman's comp, they open themselves up to a direct lawsuit from an employee that is injured on the job. The best way to find this out is to say you are going to a private doctor and need to know if this is going to be a workman's compensation case (also, you need to know who to refer the bill to). If they have workman's comp insurance, then you can talk to the carrier about lost wages, etc. If they don't, advise them that you will have to get an attorney to settle this-this should quickly have you paid for the lost days of work, since they stand to lose a lot more if you do find a lawyer. Another thing is that this seems to be an OSHA reportable incident. This is probable why the MD is sending someone to look at the site. Another avenue for you to mention (workplace hazard fines) in order to get paid for the days you could not work. I hope you feel better soon. It really angers me (and I'm sure others here) :angryfire reading about the lack of concern you received. Once you feel better, you might want to consider looking for work elsewhere...

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

If you could, I would get a photo of the bookcase and a report from the safety people that looked at it. There's NO EXCUSE for how they treated you. Maybe they need the threat of a good lawsuit because you have every right.

Best to you and tell them to take a Tylenol!

[Gromit]

I hope that one day, when the doc injures HERSELF, you can be there to say "Oh. Thank Goodness its not a patient" and turn your back on her.

Sorry, but I do have a little vindictive streak in me. That doc needs to learn a little compassion and maybe a touch of humility.