chemical injury at work need advice

[mirland]

I'm a nurse in Alaska. I was working at Max State Prison. Inmates and maintenance were cleaning and flushing boiler above medical clinic, no ventilation, and windows. We have one door that can't be open for security reason. They forgot to close valve. Over 75 gallons of sodium hydroxide poured and sprayed on staff. 6 other leaks of other chemicals after that. Inmates cleaned up with clorox and industrial chemicals. Needless to say 4 and other have had chemical injuries. I for one have reactive airway disease, toxic encephalopathy, short term memory loss, and dry eye syndrome. I was put on WC and ADA by my Dr. specialist in June. I was controverted in Nov. I found a lawyer after 11 tries and all he would do was get a SIME. He sent his paralegal on March 3, 2011 to the Pre-conference and she couldn't get the defending lawyer to agree. He as asked for a deposition. My lawyer has backed out of my case because he only wanted to get a SIME, and didn't get it and these kinds of cases cost lawyer money. I questioned why he didn't go to the pre-conference. Is their anybody in a similiar situation? Now I am trying to find another lawyer to take my case. I have been on my husband insurance that is paying for my MD and my medicine. I can't go back to Prison because they never cleaned the office up properly and others are getting sick but are afraid to go out on WC. My doctor said, "I will never walk out of there if I go back." They refused to do any disability accommodation to help me get back to work. The IME doctor said nothing was wrong with me and ordered me back to work. I didn't go. Our office Physician Assistant stated, "If anyone goes out on WC, they would be fired." Guess what we all got Administrative Termination. Is there a way to walk away from this? I will keep going to MD and be on my husband insurance. The stress is prolonging my healing. Another problem is finding a job to accommodate my disability. Also if I opt out of WC and I can't work due to injuries will I be able to open the case again?

[1171]

you don't need an atty to file complaint under ADA.
for more information
http://www.ada.gov/

there are time limits for re-opening your claim.
start here
http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/home.htm

[povertyrow]

Not sure if you will read this as it has been awhile since you posted. I had very toxic chemicals spilled directly on me. It wiped out my lungs, did some esophageal, kidney, liver and heart damage. I can't stand to be near anything with dyes, perfume, many soaps or bug spray now. Pretty much stay home to avoid viruses and anything that may caused me to go into an asthma attack. I have learned regular doctors won't say exactly that the chemicals did the damage. Find yourself a lincensed medical doctor that is also a toxicologist (they are far and few in between)and then have your doctor get you an appointment with them as soon as possible. You can also research out what was spilled on you at EPA, Toxnet and toxline.

(03-21-2011 12:51 AM)mirland Wrote:  I'm a nurse in Alaska. I was working at Max State Prison. Inmates and maintenance were cleaning and flushing boiler above medical clinic, no ventilation, and windows. We have one door that can't be open for security reason. They forgot to close valve. Over 75 gallons of sodium hydroxide poured and sprayed on staff. 6 other leaks of other chemicals after that. Inmates cleaned up with clorox and industrial chemicals. Needless to say 4 and other have had chemical injuries. I for one have reactive airway disease, toxic encephalopathy, short term memory loss, and dry eye syndrome. I was put on WC and ADA by my Dr. specialist in June. I was controverted in Nov. I found a lawyer after 11 tries and all he would do was get a SIME. He sent his paralegal on March 3, 2011 to the Pre-conference and she couldn't get the defending lawyer to agree. He as asked for a deposition. My lawyer has backed out of my case because he only wanted to get a SIME, and didn't get it and these kinds of cases cost lawyer money. I questioned why he didn't go to the pre-conference. Is their anybody in a similiar situation? Now I am trying to find another lawyer to take my case. I have been on my husband insurance that is paying for my MD and my medicine. I can't go back to Prison because they never cleaned the office up properly and others are getting sick but are afraid to go out on WC. My doctor said, "I will never walk out of there if I go back." They refused to do any disability accommodation to help me get back to work. The IME doctor said nothing was wrong with me and ordered me back to work. I didn't go. Our office Physician Assistant stated, "If anyone goes out on WC, they would be fired." Guess what we all got Administrative Termination. Is there a way to walk away from this? I will keep going to MD and be on my husband insurance. The stress is prolonging my healing. Another problem is finding a job to accommodate my disability. Also if I opt out of WC and I can't work due to injuries will I be able to open the case again?