Need input please

[wife of injured]

Quote: the company is much more likely to fire him on his first offence as disiplineary action (rathr than unpaid LOA). He will likely be under the microscope at his job when he returns.

Dip, if this is a possible scenario on his return, would it make a difference since he is Union ?

[red1030]

Hi wife of injured,

I have been involved as a Director of Nursing with a lot of union, negotiated contracts for the new seasons, and worked with union complaints. If there is a union, and of course it really depends on the union and how the contract reads, but for the most part, the company would be a fool to do what Dip is suggesting. I see what he is talking about in a some smaller organizations because they are not aware of the possible consequents of this type of behavior. Larger and more sophisticated organizations are less likely to behave this way, especially with a union. Unions, it they are doing their job, if your husband goes to them, assure that your husband's restrictions are adhered too, they will assure that when the restrictions are lifted that he is treated fairly. If a write up should occur, then the union will do their investigation as well. They will file on behalf of your husband a complain with the labor boards if it was neccessary to stop the treatment. If it is harrassment, they will help him through that process. I agree with your husband, you should maybe take it one day at a time, keep all papers, document all phone calls, and when you mail something out that is relevant to the situation then send it out certified so you have a copy of receipt. Best wishes to you and to your husband. Compartment Syndrome is very painful and takes awhile to heal. So treat each other with care during this very stressful time for you and for him. Red.

[wife of injured]

Red, thank you. I feel a lot less anxious now,hubby read what you said and he said "that is basically what I've been trying to convey to you".

He also said that I shouldn't get nuts over this just yet because you can bet the Union has copies of everything that is going on with me.
The issues of safety there is and will be brought up and that is worth somthing, so there won't be another guy in the same condition as I am.
I sure hope he is right though. I've personally seen my husband for over twenty years get screwed over and over by them because the company doesn't see him as a human being with great talent to boot! that could save them millions of dollars on a daily basis if they would just take a little time to really see where the talent is and put that talent in key places, but he is only seen as an id number. He has only 3 years left before he can retire{even though he won't he's not the retiring type,we have 4 kids under 15 and I'm 14 years his junior} or he can, early next year go out on points. Either way I'm nervous that the other shoe is going to drop. It's happened to many times.

[red1030]

Hi wife of injuried, I really understand..and I am glad that my post answered some of your questions. I am glad that you are both more comfortable also. Always remember while you are going thought this that their is that boot that can drop. Make sure that the union is involved and that they do have a copy of your investigation of the accident that the organization did as well as what they did. Then I would ask the union to give copies of both to you as well. Just start a file. You may never need it, but it may help you both if you do...lots of luck.. Carol (red)..

[jayne]

hubby was a teamster and they rolled over and played dead......part of his settlement was a comp and release which ment he signed and resigned.....since he was of early retirement age it was ok for us the younger guys that are getting hurt there are being screwed without a hug or kiss afterwards

[Pooh]

Another thing to ask the union for is a job description or analysis of the job that hubby was doing at the time he was injured. Many times unions do these job analysis' for the companies and have copies on hand. They list max weight lifting, repetitions per minute, etc.

If the union hasn't done any during all this time then I would wonder why not in a big company. especially if there is a lot of repetition type of work.

I also worked for a large company and my union helped with those papers that I gave to my attorney and even had a relief ncm show them to a doctor who said that because of the amount of work I did could lead to my symptoms - of course when my regular ncm came back she got him to change his mind ..... lol

So if your hubby is assigned a nurse case manager make sure that all communication is also sent to him as well. -- Get copies of all doctors reports and start a file of your own - sometimes doctors will charge a small fee for copying your file and other times doctors will not charge anything - depends on the doctor and their policy in the office. You will have to sign a release of information form.

[Lilly]

Hi Wife of injured,
First and most important....you hubby's INR needs to be within range and under control. It takes pill form coumadin 3 days of steady amounts to reach it's therapeutic level within the system. There are injections that are faster acting and short lived to enable hubby to get to his therapeutic blood level pronto. Check into injectable "Lovenox" (but it is very expensive). Right on the coumadin bottle you will read "do not stop medication suddenly" I feel the MD who removed him from his blood thinner meds was negligent. Should he have died from the clot, this MD would have been directly responsible. Of course someone who takes a blood thinner will bleed excessively whether it's inside or out of the body. You need to see a lawyer as the others have suggested.
Good luck and hope hubby if doing better.
Take care, Lilly

[wife of injured]

[quote]" I feel the MD who removed him from his blood thinner meds was negligent. [quote]

I feel the same way, unfortunately here no one will follow up on this dumb doctors work. So we are being forced to return to him just so that the stitches can be removed and get the therapy going. Hubby is in so much pain ,burning sensation,shooting pains hold and cold flashes, the mental stress on him is more than he can bear. He feels so helpless and that to him is the worst ,he hates having me HAVE to help in bathroom,clean him, basically all the things he was able to do before the accident. He feels like he is a burden on his family, of course that is not the case. We love him and want him well again.

[red1030]

Wife of injured,

I feel the same way that you do and I understand what you husband is feeling. He feels helpless and guilty that you are all helping him now. He sounds like a wonderful man who has taken a lot of pride in is job and his ability to take care of his family. Continue to assure him that you are partners in this and that you are there for each otheer. If roles would be reversed, would he think you should feel poorly that you were unable to do what you have always done to make the family system work, he would not. Continue to assure him, he needs that right now.

Also, I feel the same way that you do about the doctor who removed him from the coumadin after so many years of being on it. In plain english, how stupid can he be..the doctor. However, I also am sure that a claim in court would not be worth much because of your husband's ability to recognize the signs of a problem and you and he acting quickly upon them.

My recommendation would be to follow up with this doctor. I would not let him change any of your medication however, and I would tell him about how the situation that occurred and that you feel it could have created a very serious situation. Then, I would also find my states web site for workers compensation adn I would find out if is at any time of your husbands recovery you can choose your own physician. Some of the states allow it after the first couple of months or sooner. If you find out that you can choose a different physician in your state, call your family doctor who you trust and him or her for a recommendation for a physician that will meet your husbands needs. He has a long road a head of him, related to the pathway that a Compartment Syndrome will require. This disease process takes tiime to heal and it is full of possible complications so his physician care is very important.

I hope this helps some. You are in my thoughts and I am praying for God to grant you the wisdom that you need to get th rough this togetheer and that he will help your husbands wounds to heal without complications....loads of hugs Carol RED

[NewDriver]

Just a quick expansion on all this very GOOD and RELIABLE advice you are getting wife of injured, don't forget to take care or you through all this. You will be much more able to help take care of the man you love when your needs are also considered in the equation. Up to and including professional counciling or support groups if you find them benefical to you. At the very least get away with friends or family members even if you do nothing more than play a game of cards or watch video movies. What ever the budget allows. You need to have a bit of separation from the stress for a least a short time every day.

Take care and best to you and hubby.

ND