Slip and fall injury

[MDelainy, ASN, RN]

Good morning all- any advice from someone who has experienced anything similar would be greatly appreciated! 
 

Last week I suffered a slip and fall injury. I was on my way into work and slipped on a large patch of ice near the front entrance to my hospital-I also want to point out that nothing was salted- from the parking lot to the sidewalk where I fell. I did complete an incident report with employee health and they sent me home and gave me workers comp paperwork. I also want to mention. I do have a one year old who is quite heavy and I definitely began further feeling the strain on my back handling my little one- something that did not happen prior to my fall. I work in end of life care so, naturally, many, if not all of these patients cannot move at all on their own. Employee health wants to clear me themselves even though I was able to get an appointment with my primary doctor & explained this to them- still, they insisted I can be cleared at work. I fear I am being rushed back even though I am not at 100% at the moment and am genuinely scared and quite frankly feel apprehensive about returning so soon & what implications doing so may have on me and my body in the future. I'm only 32 years old & fear risking further injury going back so soon. I have no problem doing something light duty or behind a desk, if those options are available.
 

Any advice on how I should proceed? 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Did you see a doctor immediately after youer fall? See your Dr. He/she can set limitations to aid in your recovery!

[MDelainy, ASN, RN]

I have an appointment with my MD tomorrow. The only issue is I was scheduled to return to work tomorrow but that was the only appointment available. I also explained this to them but they still want me to come in today. I don't  think in this kind of situation, employee health should be clearing me medically. They did X-rays and all seemed fine, but I am still painful. As opposed to improving with rest and time, I feel it getting worse. Last night as I was in bed, I felt a sharp pain in the right side of my back that shot down all the way to my mid buttock area and radiated to my hip- again, all on the right side which is the same side that has been painful since the fall. 

[chare]

If you haven't already done so, if you meet the eligibility  requirements you should consider submitting an intermittent FMLA package.

[toomuchbaloney]

They aren't giving you much choice. Make sure that they understand that you need to keep the appointment because you are having pain which will impair your ability to safely care for their patients.  If you are in a facility, report of to the supervisor before you go to your appointment.  

Keep a detailed diary and record of all dialog with your employer.  It appears that they are not pursuing what is best for you but what is best for their staffing.  

Without that doctor's visit outlining and diagnosing the health issue, you likely won't qualify for FMLA.  

Be prepared to seperate from this employer.