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+--- Forum: Injured Worker Forum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Thread: A bit lost (/showthread.php?tid=4849)
RE: A bit lost - fallenflagger1 - 06-28-2008 08:38 AM
i hope you do ok i have represented myself in court before.i can tell you this it is not about the truth as you can see on this website it is about law and unless you are familiar with the comp law in your state you may find it difficult. nobody wants to give their money away but a attorney is a good investment.also it is never to late to get counsel ,as it is you right.find a attorney that is specialized in comp law and most dont reqire a fee till end certain% good luck
RE: A bit lost - black651 - 06-29-2008 01:05 PM
Since I cannot afford to pay for an attorney upfornt, I will seek one that works on a percentage. Thanks for that advice.
I just re-injured my back on Friday and spent several hours in the ER before going home and getting very little sleep. I did fill out the paperwork at my job and notified my supervisor of the situation. I have some restrictions listed on the "workability" report and have faxed it into the HR department.
Due to the high level of turnover at my workplace, there is often no assistance in transferring clients in and out of their wheelchairs and beds, and I am pretty much on my own for much of the shift. Restrictions don't seem to matter much in my field of work (Direct Care Worker). Kind of puts me in a difficult position - I can tell them (the clients) that I am unable to assist them due to my restrictions, or I can perform the cares and risk further damage to my back. I hate being put in this spot and wish my company would figure something out. We do have what's called a "float" staff member, who is supposed to be available to assist with transfers and other tasks as needed, but due to the high rate of turnover and low staffing, the float is more often than not working in another capacity elsewhere. This leaves me no other choice than to call on a staff member from another location to come over and assist me with transfers, adding extra work to their already difficult load. (Makes me feel very guilty to burden them with helping me as I pride myself in always completing my tasks each day)
I figure I may have to seek a different line of work soon, as I don't think I can keep up with the workload as it is now. It's been over 10 years I have worked as a PCA, and the last eight of those years have been spent assisting the same four clients. I feel like I am letting them down.
Hopefully a good attorney will help explain all the options to me and I can find a solution to the current dilemma.
Thanks again for all the kind words and advice!