04-26-2009, 09:34 PM
Hello all,
I'm glad I found this place, because I'm about to go stir crazy in my house.
My story is way too long to tell; however, I work for a time-sensitive transportation, very large, company. Good worker; always on time; good reviews; always there when supervisors needed me...that sort of thing.
Until this month, of course.
Well, I can't say that. Things were strained between myself and my supervisors since earlier this year when a private medical issue was broadcast to my co-workers. I discovered it when I was confronted by people with whom I only exchange pleasantries (meaning they do not work on my shift). After confronting the 'supervisors' about their lack of confidentiality, I heard all sorts of excuses until they began finding things wrong with my work. Needless to say, it's been more like hell in there recently than anything else (it's hard to explain unless I say where I work..so I'll leave it at that).
When I hurt my knee, it really wasn't something that caused instant excrutiating pain; it was discomfort. Being the person I am, I went on with work. Upon arriving home that evening, I noticed the knee getting hotter and more swollen. By the following day, I could hardly walk. But, again, being the worker I am, I went to work. Now, I walk for work...that's very important. I'm on my feet sometimes 8 or more hours per day, so walking for exercise is just something else we all may do. It never dawned on me that this would make an issue. After all, I walk for my job.
The pain became excrutiating, my BP was clocked at 183'ish/143'ish when I finally managed to drive myself to a very iffy clinic near where I work. However, during the time of my last few hours at work, one supervisor didn't give me a second look, thinking that I was faking or upset over my recent break up with my boyfriend (believe me, by that time, it wasn't the break up...it was the pain). An employee of another transportation company actually was the one who asked me if I could wait and she would take me to the hospital. She couldn't believe none of my co-workers, nor my supervisors, was paying attention to the obvious distress (sweating, trouble breathing, knee size of watermelon, fever). Since I felt I couldn't wait, I drove myself (that was an interesting ride; almost ran off the road a few times). (Oh and my supervisor did not ask me anything, actually she just told me what clinic to go to; I was disoriented at this point)
Upon arriving at this "clinic" I informed the nurse that it occurred at work. She wrote that down, but apparently the doctor did not. My pulse was 113, in addition to the BP. (no, I never had high bp before). He told me it was bursitis and to go home to elevate it. Threw pain killers at me, and told me to go home. I live 20 miles from work and this clinic. I had to get my own meds and get home. Where I live with my 16 year old who doesn't drive, and have no freinds (well I thought I did at work, but my company is very good at intimidation; I've heard from the person who is now performing my aspects of my job).
My temprature elevated to 103; not sure what my bp was, but I was simply writhing in pain. I tried to get some of my 'friends' to take me to the hospital, not wanting to call the incredibly expensive ambulance (I work only part time after 10 years with this company, and make little money). No one would help, so I swallowed the painkillers, which managed to put me to sleep for a while. The next day, my mother had to come from another state to help me. I had calmed down a little bit, due to the pain killers I guess (I've never taken them before, except when I had my c-section in the hospital)
I called my supervisors, couldn't get them the next day and left a message to ask what to do. No answer. By the following day, the pain was so intense, my mother took me to the emergency room. The doctor said it was a traumatic injury, aspirated some of the swelling, and left me with more pain killers and the orders to see an orthopedist. I called my supervisors again. No answer; no message back.
Next day, another message. No answer.
Next day, another message, no answer. I finally wrote to the higher up boss; she's on vacation. So I blocked my number and called again....low and behold....an answer.
Oh yes, I heard all the excuse in the world that I never left messages. Funny thing is, I used my cell phone. Hmm...I told them, I have records of the calls. Then they told me, I had walked for exercise, and that's where I hurt it. Hmmm...No, it happened while at work I said. "click" is what I heard.
So an hour later, a phone call came in recording my story. Finally, I figured I would be able to see an orthopedist. Oh no.
I was given another 'clinic' to go to. I was given a cup to use (drug test). Okay, I know this is par for the course....they could drug test me til kingdom come...I don't do drugs. I don't even drink any more.
Then I was informed that I was only there for the drug test. Wow, 30 mile drive for a drug test, and NOT getting any treatment for my knee. My mother drove me to my work, and another supervisor was "shocked" they gave me a drug test. I told her I didn't care about the test....I had no problem doing that, but I needed 'care!'
Finally, I got clearance. I think I was better off NOT going to this doctor. Another superfical examination. Another unknown diagnosis, but he did agree that this was done the way I said it was done.
Gets better.
He changed my meds from Predisone (given at the first clinic I went to) to Naproxsyn. Wanna guess what happened? Yep, serious allergic reaction. I looked like The Joker and Octomom had a baby. My face, lips, nose, inside of my mouth were severely swollen. My primary care physician said to take Benadryl. I still (four days later) have no taste or smell, and my nose is still numb.
Returned to Worker's Comp clinic, where he said it was 'stress' not the medication. Ummm...NO stress is BP at stroke levels. Not my face swelling up like a balloon. Anyway....
Workers comp stated he was denying me because my statements to the doctor state I was walking....yeah..and? I said. He never got ALL the notes, where the nurse wrote it down. I was assured by the clinic nurses, I must have called six times for them to read it to me, that it was in there that I said it happened at work.
So, my primary care physician denied me care this past Friday (I've been home a week and a half so far). She won't fill out disability papers, she won't see me about my semi-deformed face, nor my blood pressure issues. The workers comp doc might turn me away because workers comp didn't get all the information properly, and doesn't realize that my supervisors are trying to do anything to get rid of me.
If this wasn't so sad, it would be funny......
Get an attorney? What's the general opinion out there?
Calling my human resource department tomorrow regarding my fear of retaliation for several items. But after reading what I've read on here, I could just imagine how many things I'm going to get post-written up for; dumb things. Hmmm...makes one think.
Meanwhile, I'm unable to do anything, even though my first statement to any, and all, claims examiners has been "I want treatment so I can get back to work!" Apparently, I must have said it in another language that they cannot understand.
Although I am not an uneducated person (I have a Master's Degree), I wasted my time at this company with no future (it was clear there was none, and I stayed because I loved the job); however, now that economy is the way it is, I'm afraid that I will be on the street shortly. I'm appaled that I was taken in, did them favors, went above and beyond. Do you know, to this day, I've NOT heard from them, nor many of my co-workers? Intimidation works. We have no union representation; oh I wish we did.
I welcome the comments and suggestions, or even a funny story to help me smile.
Is there anything preventing me from actively looking for another job (yeah, they've really scared me that they will just fire me and deal with the consequences later; it's one of the largest companies in the world now). I can walk, but it's painful. I'd just have to work through it to get through the day.
How's despondent and depressed sound? I should sign my name like that.
However, I remain steadfast in my faith that God will help me through, but I keep telling Him..."Enough!" LOL.
Thanks for listening!
Sincerely,
Gategoddess
I'm glad I found this place, because I'm about to go stir crazy in my house.
My story is way too long to tell; however, I work for a time-sensitive transportation, very large, company. Good worker; always on time; good reviews; always there when supervisors needed me...that sort of thing.
Until this month, of course.
Well, I can't say that. Things were strained between myself and my supervisors since earlier this year when a private medical issue was broadcast to my co-workers. I discovered it when I was confronted by people with whom I only exchange pleasantries (meaning they do not work on my shift). After confronting the 'supervisors' about their lack of confidentiality, I heard all sorts of excuses until they began finding things wrong with my work. Needless to say, it's been more like hell in there recently than anything else (it's hard to explain unless I say where I work..so I'll leave it at that).
When I hurt my knee, it really wasn't something that caused instant excrutiating pain; it was discomfort. Being the person I am, I went on with work. Upon arriving home that evening, I noticed the knee getting hotter and more swollen. By the following day, I could hardly walk. But, again, being the worker I am, I went to work. Now, I walk for work...that's very important. I'm on my feet sometimes 8 or more hours per day, so walking for exercise is just something else we all may do. It never dawned on me that this would make an issue. After all, I walk for my job.
The pain became excrutiating, my BP was clocked at 183'ish/143'ish when I finally managed to drive myself to a very iffy clinic near where I work. However, during the time of my last few hours at work, one supervisor didn't give me a second look, thinking that I was faking or upset over my recent break up with my boyfriend (believe me, by that time, it wasn't the break up...it was the pain). An employee of another transportation company actually was the one who asked me if I could wait and she would take me to the hospital. She couldn't believe none of my co-workers, nor my supervisors, was paying attention to the obvious distress (sweating, trouble breathing, knee size of watermelon, fever). Since I felt I couldn't wait, I drove myself (that was an interesting ride; almost ran off the road a few times). (Oh and my supervisor did not ask me anything, actually she just told me what clinic to go to; I was disoriented at this point)
Upon arriving at this "clinic" I informed the nurse that it occurred at work. She wrote that down, but apparently the doctor did not. My pulse was 113, in addition to the BP. (no, I never had high bp before). He told me it was bursitis and to go home to elevate it. Threw pain killers at me, and told me to go home. I live 20 miles from work and this clinic. I had to get my own meds and get home. Where I live with my 16 year old who doesn't drive, and have no freinds (well I thought I did at work, but my company is very good at intimidation; I've heard from the person who is now performing my aspects of my job).
My temprature elevated to 103; not sure what my bp was, but I was simply writhing in pain. I tried to get some of my 'friends' to take me to the hospital, not wanting to call the incredibly expensive ambulance (I work only part time after 10 years with this company, and make little money). No one would help, so I swallowed the painkillers, which managed to put me to sleep for a while. The next day, my mother had to come from another state to help me. I had calmed down a little bit, due to the pain killers I guess (I've never taken them before, except when I had my c-section in the hospital)
I called my supervisors, couldn't get them the next day and left a message to ask what to do. No answer. By the following day, the pain was so intense, my mother took me to the emergency room. The doctor said it was a traumatic injury, aspirated some of the swelling, and left me with more pain killers and the orders to see an orthopedist. I called my supervisors again. No answer; no message back.
Next day, another message. No answer.
Next day, another message, no answer. I finally wrote to the higher up boss; she's on vacation. So I blocked my number and called again....low and behold....an answer.
Oh yes, I heard all the excuse in the world that I never left messages. Funny thing is, I used my cell phone. Hmm...I told them, I have records of the calls. Then they told me, I had walked for exercise, and that's where I hurt it. Hmmm...No, it happened while at work I said. "click" is what I heard.
So an hour later, a phone call came in recording my story. Finally, I figured I would be able to see an orthopedist. Oh no.
I was given another 'clinic' to go to. I was given a cup to use (drug test). Okay, I know this is par for the course....they could drug test me til kingdom come...I don't do drugs. I don't even drink any more.
Then I was informed that I was only there for the drug test. Wow, 30 mile drive for a drug test, and NOT getting any treatment for my knee. My mother drove me to my work, and another supervisor was "shocked" they gave me a drug test. I told her I didn't care about the test....I had no problem doing that, but I needed 'care!'
Finally, I got clearance. I think I was better off NOT going to this doctor. Another superfical examination. Another unknown diagnosis, but he did agree that this was done the way I said it was done.
Gets better.
He changed my meds from Predisone (given at the first clinic I went to) to Naproxsyn. Wanna guess what happened? Yep, serious allergic reaction. I looked like The Joker and Octomom had a baby. My face, lips, nose, inside of my mouth were severely swollen. My primary care physician said to take Benadryl. I still (four days later) have no taste or smell, and my nose is still numb.
Returned to Worker's Comp clinic, where he said it was 'stress' not the medication. Ummm...NO stress is BP at stroke levels. Not my face swelling up like a balloon. Anyway....
Workers comp stated he was denying me because my statements to the doctor state I was walking....yeah..and? I said. He never got ALL the notes, where the nurse wrote it down. I was assured by the clinic nurses, I must have called six times for them to read it to me, that it was in there that I said it happened at work.
So, my primary care physician denied me care this past Friday (I've been home a week and a half so far). She won't fill out disability papers, she won't see me about my semi-deformed face, nor my blood pressure issues. The workers comp doc might turn me away because workers comp didn't get all the information properly, and doesn't realize that my supervisors are trying to do anything to get rid of me.
If this wasn't so sad, it would be funny......
Get an attorney? What's the general opinion out there?
Calling my human resource department tomorrow regarding my fear of retaliation for several items. But after reading what I've read on here, I could just imagine how many things I'm going to get post-written up for; dumb things. Hmmm...makes one think.
Meanwhile, I'm unable to do anything, even though my first statement to any, and all, claims examiners has been "I want treatment so I can get back to work!" Apparently, I must have said it in another language that they cannot understand.
Although I am not an uneducated person (I have a Master's Degree), I wasted my time at this company with no future (it was clear there was none, and I stayed because I loved the job); however, now that economy is the way it is, I'm afraid that I will be on the street shortly. I'm appaled that I was taken in, did them favors, went above and beyond. Do you know, to this day, I've NOT heard from them, nor many of my co-workers? Intimidation works. We have no union representation; oh I wish we did.
I welcome the comments and suggestions, or even a funny story to help me smile.
Is there anything preventing me from actively looking for another job (yeah, they've really scared me that they will just fire me and deal with the consequences later; it's one of the largest companies in the world now). I can walk, but it's painful. I'd just have to work through it to get through the day.
How's despondent and depressed sound? I should sign my name like that.
However, I remain steadfast in my faith that God will help me through, but I keep telling Him..."Enough!" LOL.
Thanks for listening!
Sincerely,
Gategoddess
