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Appropriate Preliminary Steps For Addressing a Work-related Injury in Arizona?
Hey there. I've been working with a retailer for almost seven years now. I try to be a great employee, and have never thought to file a claim about anything. But I'm having worsening wrist trouble, but am terrified to ask about work injuries because of the stigma attached. As soon as you mention anything here, even in question form, paperwork is filed, and it becomes a huge ordeal with a lot of negative attention attached. But I'm having serious trouble with my wrist that I know is work related. I'm curious to know how to address it in the most courteous possible way.
My job requires a lot of heavy lifting and repetitive motion, and I've been noticing a chronic wrist pain that's slowly been growing in severity. It's particularly bad after long shifts, and will stay with me after I've clocked out, sometimes all night. I'm in my early 20s, and I can't even think of doing a push-up, or putting any real weight on the wrist now, and it's become a daily hindrance. My job's getting much harder because of it..
So I know I need treatment. But I have no idea how bad the problem is, or how extensive the treatment will be. Should I have it checked out on my own, to see if a work claim is even necessary? Or do I HAVE to say something at work first, or risk losing the chance to file a claim later if necessary? I would only do so as an absolute last resort, hopefully it won't even get there. But I'm worried keeping work out of the loop about initial visits might compromise my workman's comp eligibility if it ends up being a worst-case scenario.
Does anyone have any experience with the matter? Can you offer any advice? Any help is greatly appreciated, I'll be quick to award BA.
I understand that your information is purely informative, and I appreciate it, but a few of your points are incorrect.
You should know that age has nothing to do with the propensity for carpal tunnel, and the condition can onset in as little as a few weeks, but is more generally formed in the course of a few months to approx. 1 year. 7 years of *extremely* repetitive motion and heavy lifting, 8 hours a day is far more than sufficient to cause the condition. Also, work is the only form of long-term strain my wrist is subjected to, and my particular line of work comprises the largest demographic affected by this condition. It is an EXTREMELY common occurance at my workplace, among all ages. Though sadly, I'm not well-acquainted with the individuals who've been affected.
However, in most any other case, you are right, so I understand your words of caution. It is unusual for someone so young to be physically compromised in almost any way, and it is generally suspect. That&
**That's precisely why I'm so uncomfortable with the idea of informing work of the matter. It's not the norm. Young people filing claims is unusual, and thus likely to be stigmatized.
3 Answers
- JudyLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
If you have an HR department, talk to them. Otherwise talk to your boss. You need to file a workers comp claim.
- michrLv 78 years ago
this does NOT mean you can not or should not file WC first report of injury or claim if it is warranted, and can be documented as such:
unless you actually had a work injury that you can document the day and time of; you will probably never get this covered by workers compensation.
an employee in their early 20s has not worked long enough doing anything repetitive enough to cause a work related injury. you do not have carpal tunnel or any other type of repetitive injury that a doctor can say is definitely due to the job you do.
you need to see your doctor, and get treatment before you miss work and lose the job.....
if the doctor can prove and provide the proper testing documentation that this injury is due to the work WC would cover it. they may, and probably will, require a second opinion from an approved WC doctor but as long as your doctor has the required proof and documentation to validate the claim you would be fine.
your concerns listed in the paragraph:
""So I know I need treatment. But I have no idea how bad the problem is, or how extensive the treatment will be. Should I have it checked out on my own, to see if a work claim is even necessary? Or do I HAVE to say something at work first, or risk losing...................., ......................., .....""
will not be an issue IF the injury is, and can be proven to be work caused, but your doctor or doctors will have to be able to prove DEFINITIVELY that work caused this.
as I noted earlier it is next to impossible to even imagine someone your age having any type of repetitive injury caused by work, but if it is WC will take care of you....
anytime you actually injury yourself at work you need to file a report even if it does not seem serious at the time so if it does get worse you will be covered, and you don't have these worries..
EDIT:
I am NOT implying that you would do this, this added note is meant for knowledge and is not meant to question your honesty...
do not even think about going into work, and "faking" an injury so that you can fill out a first report of injury for WC.
((even if you truly believe that work caused this injury))
if you were to do something like that to get this covered, and you then see a doctor, and they do Xrays or an MRI, and that testing shows a previous injury, healing already started, etcetera (which these test can and do show) not only would that WC claim be denied but you could then be charged with WC FRAUD which carries penalties, fines, and even jail time (in severe cases).
just so you know how the system works..........
- esterlyLv 45 years ago
specific, it relatively is fairly attainable. as quickly as as quickly as I went to get on my hands and knees a mattress spring went by using my knee cap, it freakin injury so undesirable I very almost cried. Then there replaced into yet yet returned i replaced into on remarkable of him and we've been given slightly too wild i assume, by fact the headboard fell down and hit me on the pinnacle. I had a huge bump there for some days. Then there replaced into the time he by twist of destiny kicked me interior the face and made my nostril bleed. lol
