Fainting and workers comp

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello to all. yesterday I was assisting with a proceedure (no blood or gore involved) and after bending over for a while (to assist) I had a vagal response and I passed out . I ended up spraining my leg really badly and I cannot bear weight on that leg at all. I am not sure when I will be able to return to work. would this be a workers comp issue? I have never had this happen before and I was checked out in th ed and all turned out well. What do you all think?

D-

Specializes in cardiac, GI, ER..

well it was decided that it is not workers comp:angryfire . i was told that I did not fit in the guidelines of wc so I asked to see the guidlines and have not seen them thus far..... i went to ortho today (2nd day post injury)and was told i need an mri and that i have some quad atrophy as well as blood in the joint (20 cc aspirated) which means i have a sinifigant injury:o . I am still unsure what the muscle atrophy means. The docs are sure that I have mcl damage.

Anyone ortho knowlegable that can explain the signif of the blood in the joint and the atrophy. it was explained but when i got the aspiration news i seem to have forgotton what was said..(i guess i lose nurse pts hahah:lol2: )

thanks

D-

Specializes in ER OB NICU.

I think that there would /could be qualifying conditions. Like how long the procedure took, if the nurse had had a break, and time to eat, or how long since, etc, things that make it qualify for comp. THEY WILL ALWAYS fight any claim they can. It only makes sense to them to try to not pay. BUT, unless you have enough time off to cover, during FMLA, or disablity ins to pay during the time off, you will need comp. Like mentioned before, comp uses specific providers, who often support their decisions, and you have to see more than one to get adequate treatment. IF you end up using personal ins. to pay for MRI, surgery, etc, you can still fight comp, and they will need to remburse. The other reason they do not want to pay is that there is usually a settlement fee for the employee for pain, etc. Hang n there, and fight for your rights.

Having "been there, done that" -get a lawyer. Get copies of all your records, including the incident report. Document everything. Write it all down while fresh in your mind. Depending on your state laws, you may be able to go to your own chosen MD after the intial exam. Check online for your state's industrial accident board for helpful information. Don't take the hospital's "don't meet guidelines" crap. You fell and were injured while performing you duties. They will try to make you go away. Don't let them get away with it.

WC is a pain to deal with. You are considered a fraud from the get go. Your knee injuries are congenital. Your checks are delayed while adjuster goes on vacation. UR denies treatments. 80 yr old MDs do fraudulent IME's. The list goes on and on, but I would file a claim again.

Be strong and I wish you well.

PS:

Any settlement would be for "future" lost wages. WC is not for pain and suffering. It is for lost wages and medical treatment only. Do not ever settle the medical portion of your claim.

+ Add a Comment