nurses injured on the job

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If a nurse is injured from a fall at work (head injury and c5-7 injuries) what is the best way to protect oneself for job longevity. Will hiring an attorney leave a black mark on my record causing me never to be hired again as a nurse? This course appears to be the only way to ensure I get a 2nd doctor's opinion and the proper care to ensure I can resume my duties as an RN. Please advise!

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I am sorry that you fell. It is always hard to decide how to approach getting better. I also understand that depending on the injuries, and severity it may be better to just accept their doctors opinion and move on. However, if you were seriously injured where you missed one or more days of work and they are refusing to do anything because of a "pre-existing condition". Then I would at least consult another doctor and a lawyer. You can consult anyone you want and determine if you want to proceed from there. I do know that 10years ago something like this happened to a co-worker and she was fired for trumped up issues. If they were true or not I am not sure but she was fired. She took the hospital to court and ended up settling out of court. She did find it more difficult to find a job but she did find one. I would also look into how in demand RN's are right now in your area or the area in which you want to stay. That way you can weigh that in as well when you are looking into sueing. I wish you well.

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Get a lawyer, get your own doctor, take care of yourself. The employer and WC definitely are not on your side in this.

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.
Get a lawyer, get your own doctor, take care of yourself. The employer and WC definitely are not on your side in this.

I agree. you never know what lasting effects an injury will cause. I have 2 friends who were injured at work, and both lost out big time. One out of work, the other on restricted duty.... part time and a fraction of the pay...with a lot of hassle.

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Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.

You have to do what is best for YOU now , lawyer up as already advised .If this ****** off your present employer , so be it , if you do not do what is necessary to improve your condition , worrying about your future as a nurse is moot .You have to ensure that what is necessary to enable you to return to the workplace is covered by your employer and that if unfortunately if there is residual disability the liability for your situation is properly placed .

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Thank you for so eloquently laying the cards on the table, returning to ANY workplace as a healthy worker is paramount and the liabiliity of any residual injury does need to be properly placed.

Any thoughts concerning the safety and effectiveness of cervical epidurals? My WC doc says these will cure all my problems from the fall: neck/shoulder/arm/head/face pain and pins/needles as well as dizziness/balance problems (four months post fall).

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
Thank you for so eloquently laying the cards on the table, returning to ANY workplace as a healthy worker is paramount and the liabiliity of any residual injury does need to be properly placed.

Any thoughts concerning the safety and effectiveness of cervical epidurals? My WC doc says these will cure all my problems from the fall: neck/shoulder/arm/head/face pain and pins/needles as well as dizziness/balance problems (four months post fall).

Been there, done that, and had the same injury at work as you. Workmen's Comp is not your friend. Definitely lawyer up if possible, (in my state you aren't even allowed a lawyer until WC closes your case!)

I won't comment on the cervical epidural because it would be construed as medical advise. Please PM me if you would like input.

If you need a pain management doc be sure to inform your WC case manager. They also should pay for a second opinion. In my state they do. Are you getting physical therapy?

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Hoozdo,

"I won't comment on the cervical epidural because it would be construed as medical advise. Please PM me if you would like input".

Thanks, what is PM?

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

PM=private message. I think you need 10 or 15 posts to be able to use that feature. Keep on posting!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hoozdo is correct. One needs at least 15 quality public board posts in order to send private messages: https://allnurses.com/frequently-asked-questions/contacting-other-members-385225.html

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Same advice as everyone else: I'd get a lawyer, and also your own doctor who can review the WC doctor's suggestion and give you a second opinion about it and your condition. I used to work for a lawyer (not as a nurse though) and have frequently seen WC doctors swear up and down that an injured patient was fine when the patient clearly weren't.

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