Injured on the job?

[Butterflyxx0621]

Long story short I got injured at a patients home a few days ago, sprained my spine .. By far the worst pain I've ever had, even over broken bones. Went to the MD and for a follow up apt today. The MD increased some of the meds they gave me and instructed me that I am not supposed to drive while taking a muscle relaxer at all (told me not to even drive to my next follow up apt). She also said it was very important for me to take it because my back was so tight and she could feel spasms, wants to do physical therapy once I feel better. She also put me on light duty.

My work called and said instead of patient care they had clerical work I could do for my remaining shifts this week, and my work is 1.5 hrs away from my home. I let them know what the MD said about not driving on the meds and how important she said it was to take them. The response I got was "that's not okay you will just have to not take them."

My work called the MD and basically now I am not allowed to take the meds while I am working/driving which is over 12 hrs per day.

I have no problem working, and I also would be ok just missing the time and losing the pay, it is a per diem position anyway.... But I DO have a problem with the fact that I now have to stay miserable all day and be denied the ability to take medication. I don't see how that is possible or can be allowed?

I didn't do anything to cause this I wasn't using improper body mechanics, I was just doing a patient assessment and *crack* instant pain and I could not walk. I of course Wish this didn't happen, who wants to be in pain and stuck doing busy work?

Thoughts?

[enuf_already]

You are per diem and they are forcing you to come in so they don't have a lost time injury? Ouch! Did the worker's comp doctor cave and say this was okay? If not, or maybe even if so, I'm not sure your job's plan sounds like a good one.

I'd ask them to put it in writing that you are to ignore the doctor's orders and work in pain because it's more important for you, a per diem employee, to do paperwork than to take time off to heal.

I'd bet they want you to push paper so they are not paying worker's comp, although I have no clue how that works with a per diem employee.

The best of luck to you. Heal quickly!