Work injury, am i being unreasonable

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Originally Posted by Rick1970

I know small business is hard, things need to get done to get the bills paid and all that, but if it really is a genuine at work injury?......

Rick

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Rick don't feel that you are obligated that's why us employers take out Work cover insurance to cover event like this. Your well being is foremost, years down the track if you have ongoing issues as a rwsult of this injury, your boss isn't going to stand by you is he.
He's probably worrying that a claim may raise next years premium. tough.
I know of a couple of incidents where employees were hurt and the bosses tried to cover it up
One a guy had the top of his head ripped off by an aircraft propeller and the boss tried to make out he did it deliberately to himself.
Another had his leg caught in a professional fishing trawl net and got dragged overboard, his boss tried to blame the employee.
Some bosses can be ******, don't be bullied into feeling obligated to work if you are unfit to do it

Rang workcover, confirmed that yes he has appropiate insurance and gave me their number. Confirmed that yes he has obligations. Will have to contact his insurer to se if a clam has been lodged, but advised they would normally contact me within 5-7 days if it had been.

Doctor (young) was at the local hospital a&e, and thought it a bit strange with only two days off work, was only going to be one till SWMBO questioned it.

There is always two sides of the story...not doubting the OP but we don’t have the other side of the story so it a little hard for us to comment.

Re: return to work programs, big companies struggle with this and would be even tougher for small companies.

Is your employer still paying you while you are off? If so than take the time off. You also have work-cover to assist.

Yes I agree it’s the employer has to provide a safe workplace but the employee also has responsibilities as the employer cannot 100% watch over every person......as an employee the standard you accepted yesterday is more than likely the standard you follow the next day.

All the best for your recovery, it sucks being injured at work (I’m on a disability pension for a work place injury, looking back it was probably preventable but my employer at the time injures a large number of employees) and get back to full duties......

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Originally Posted by weeds

Yes I agree it’s the employer has to provide a safe workplace but the employee also has responsibilities as the employer cannot 100% watch over every person......as an employee the standard you accepted yesterday is more than likely the standard you follow the next day.

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That was prob a mistake on my part, i knew that i shouldnt be doing the work a was doing with the injury, but because the boss asked me to do, i did. Thinking i may end up payin for that.

Interesting read.
Unfortunately, some of us have extreme work ethics which compel us to go "above and beyond" so to speak.

Not sure how old you are Rick, but let me give you some advise from my own experience on top of the good stuff thats already been stated.
A lot of us older blokes will tell you that when you hit about 40, your body will start to give out, depending on how you've treated it getting to that age. Many people at my age,, (I'm 54), will tell you they feel like old men of probably 60-70. Nothings worse than at this age being held back due to back pain or shoulder pain etc, when your out and about on a weekend. Just so you can put some perspective on this,, and I'd be pretty sure that I'm far from alone on this,,, have you ever had to tell your Mrs your not up for a bit,, because you know, it'll either hurt like hell in action, or you'll be in agony after. This alone will be depressing enough, let alone the feeling of "not being man enough to do the deed".
This is the stuff bosses dont see, and therefore, "outa site, outa mind",, regardless of what you say Monday morning to them. Some will be all sympathetic in speech, but the reality is, they don't give a rats arse as it doesn't effect them directly.

You've done the right thing contacting the authorities about it. They should follow it and keep up with whats going on in your case.

What a lot of us fail to realize is that after the dust has settled, and we've moved on, in jobs and life, the pain will come back and YOU will be the one who has to deal with it and get through it. Pain relief can be expensive, be it through doctors/physio or just pain killers.

It all adds up.

Get well soon dude.

47, and starting to realise i dont bounce back like a 18yo anymore......

And yep, cant say the missus has got lucky in the past few weeks 🤣

I dont know if you have a family doctor....if you have I recommend you put it all completely in his hands and let him deal with Workcover Direct.

Do not be fooled into consulting with your employers recommended doctor. You may use your doctor of choice but you cannot refuse to have a second opinion if requested.

If you havent met your case manager, contact Workcover and speak to him /her and request a consultation. You may be surprised to find that they are on your side as long as you are not fudging. They will also put you at mind about a lot of issues. Once you have met your case manager it becomes a quite pleasant process and they will contact you regularly.

You will not lose any cover after 6mths but you may have to have more regular reviews to ensure all treatments are helping you improve.

If you have to see an orthopaedic or neurological specialist ask him/her to recommend the physiotherapist to compliment their work.

This has all come about from two major and several smaller workplace injuries and the input from my family doctor who has genuine concern for his patients.

No to mention your employer must put in place a Work Rehabilitating Plan which he has to do with you & acting on medical advise.
Straight back to normal duties are just not on. All employers have a duty of care & can not give duties that may aggravate an injury. That even applies to non work injuries.

As an employer all this is a pain but it has to be done because 1. It's the law & 2. It is morally correct.

Jonesfam

[QUOTE=ramblingboy42;2831476

If you have to see an orthopaedic or neurological specialist ask him/her to recommend the physiotherapist to compliment their work.

[/QUOTE]
further to this, just make sure your specialist will do Work cover, some will no longer direct bill workcover ( due to slow payment times from work cover) some will ask you to fit the bill and let you go through the hassel of recouping your money from work cover.
I know of a few cases and you can be financially out of pocket for a while. Ask at time of booking, I was referred to a neurologist and waited 3 months to get an appointment, walked into his room he shook my hand and said he does not do work cover ( even though I told the receptionist it was workcover when i booked) I was shown the door and they sent me a bill for $200 for a hand shake) I rang and complained and they cancelled the bill. I then had to wait another couple of months to get another appointment with another neuro grr.
Keep any out of pocket receipts for parking and fares for appointments or record milage if using your car for attending appointments so you can claim reimbursements from work cover. a set formula is used, but it adds up if you have many appointments.

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Get back to work and keep moving at work and at home. Not doing things which hurt yourself of course!!

The worst thing to do for any injury is to stop everything.

Your right your boss could and should give you suitable work and suitable help to ensure you do not hurt your injury. Ask nicely of course.

The boss is required to have work cover insurance to help cover any cost once he/she pays the insurance excess.

My own preference is to keep off all medication if possible (including Self meds -No Beer or whisky sorry) I think pain killers can at times mask pain from some movements and as we move exacerbate the injury besides the risks with the strong ones opioid types ones being very addictive.


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