Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with a right side femoral hernia. In my work as a sub contract Courier in Sydney I do a LOT of lifting, and despite my restrictions I have often found myself in a situation where I have had to exceed my 15kg lift restriction by a large amount.
I have been in almost daily pain since October 2007 after a L5/S1 disc prolapse, added to that a slip from a tailgate loader that resulted in torn left ankle ligaments, torn left knee cartilage in April 2008 with the same Employer. Those injuries were originally diagnosed by the Company Doctor as a 'sprain' and would take a long time to get better. I waited a year, still with daily pain and swelling before at my Wife's insistance I had an MRI that revealed the true state of my enkle and knee. I had the ankle undergo an open repair in May 2009, and the knee by laproscopic three months later. Those injuries still cause constant pain, and my left ankle now 'rolls' with very little provocation. I also had bi lateral inguinal hernia repair in 2010....also resulting from over exertion for that same Employer. Star Track Express. I also suffered a CVA[stroke]on the 27th of December 2009....and although it can't be proved medically, in my mind the stress, worry and depression of the previous three years must have had something to do with it.
On the 16th Jan this year I was completing a delivery of an upright freezer from a retail store here in western Sydney, to a private address in a nearby suburb. The allocator knew of my restrictions but sent me the job regardless. I accepted it assuming there would be someone at the other end to assist with unloading. I was wrong. The receiver was an elderly couple. It was late in the day, I had other work to complete so I unloaded the freezer by myself.
I lifted it up over the edge of ute's tray, whilst standing on the back of the ute. The plan was to let it slide againt the tray side to the ground slowly. The styrofoam packing around the unit got caught on the sharp alloy tray edge and was stuck fast. I had to lift the freezer's full weight to free it, as it was now hanging in mid air...then lower it to the ground.
I am in constant pain most of the time, so the 'twinge' I felt in my groin didn't concern me at the time. I just wanted to get the job done and move on to the next one. That was on a Thursday afternoon. I worked as usual the next day, still a bit sore in the groin but took a pain pill[Tramal SR 150mg]and worked the full day.
Friday night I felt a different type of pain from what I was used to, so I went to see my regular GP on the Sat morning. He only does three days a week. He thought I may have a 'femoral hernia' and gave me a referral for an ultrasound[that's how the inguinal hernias were diagnosed]and although I could have had the test done on the upcoming Wednesday I made the appointment for the following Saturday so I would not lose any work...things were a little quiet. The Monday after my GP visit was a holiday here in Oz[Australia Day]so I was available for work at 0600 on the Tuesday. At this time I also took the WorkCover medical certificate into my Employers' office and advised my allocator of what the Doctor had said, and the 25kg lifting restriction he now placed on me until the source of the new pain could be confirmed.
I worked for the rest of the week, having to reject jobs sent to me because of the restriction which cost me money and caused a lot of stress and worry. I attended the ultrasound appointment Saturday morning as arranged, and the Sonographer confirmed what my Doctor suspected. A right side femoral hernia thankfully it was 'reduceable'. I advised my Employer of the ultrasound results and my intention to claim Workers' Compensation for the injury.
That's when the shit hit the fan, so to speak. My Boss said he wasn't happy I a) didn't ask for help, b)didn't report the injury when it happened, and he didn't think I would qualify for Workers' Comp as I operate as a 'Sole Trader'.
Once I knew what the problem was, I did my own research and was I've got say, quite concerned. I asked for my Employers' Workers Comp details, and was met with a frosty reception but I kept my cool. Once again I was told I should not have accepted the job allocated to me.but my argument was there was no weight or dimensions on the job details, and that's why I took the job without question. AND I should never have been offered the job if there was a risk of it being outside my then current restrictions.
I have been in almost daily pain since October 2007 after a L5/S1 disc prolapse, added to that a slip from a tailgate loader that resulted in torn left ankle ligaments, torn left knee cartilage in April 2008 with the same Employer. Those injuries were originally diagnosed by the Company Doctor as a 'sprain' and would take a long time to get better. I waited a year, still with daily pain and swelling before at my Wife's insistance I had an MRI that revealed the true state of my enkle and knee. I had the ankle undergo an open repair in May 2009, and the knee by laproscopic three months later. Those injuries still cause constant pain, and my left ankle now 'rolls' with very little provocation. I also had bi lateral inguinal hernia repair in 2010....also resulting from over exertion for that same Employer. Star Track Express. I also suffered a CVA[stroke]on the 27th of December 2009....and although it can't be proved medically, in my mind the stress, worry and depression of the previous three years must have had something to do with it.
On the 16th Jan this year I was completing a delivery of an upright freezer from a retail store here in western Sydney, to a private address in a nearby suburb. The allocator knew of my restrictions but sent me the job regardless. I accepted it assuming there would be someone at the other end to assist with unloading. I was wrong. The receiver was an elderly couple. It was late in the day, I had other work to complete so I unloaded the freezer by myself.
I lifted it up over the edge of ute's tray, whilst standing on the back of the ute. The plan was to let it slide againt the tray side to the ground slowly. The styrofoam packing around the unit got caught on the sharp alloy tray edge and was stuck fast. I had to lift the freezer's full weight to free it, as it was now hanging in mid air...then lower it to the ground.
I am in constant pain most of the time, so the 'twinge' I felt in my groin didn't concern me at the time. I just wanted to get the job done and move on to the next one. That was on a Thursday afternoon. I worked as usual the next day, still a bit sore in the groin but took a pain pill[Tramal SR 150mg]and worked the full day.
Friday night I felt a different type of pain from what I was used to, so I went to see my regular GP on the Sat morning. He only does three days a week. He thought I may have a 'femoral hernia' and gave me a referral for an ultrasound[that's how the inguinal hernias were diagnosed]and although I could have had the test done on the upcoming Wednesday I made the appointment for the following Saturday so I would not lose any work...things were a little quiet. The Monday after my GP visit was a holiday here in Oz[Australia Day]so I was available for work at 0600 on the Tuesday. At this time I also took the WorkCover medical certificate into my Employers' office and advised my allocator of what the Doctor had said, and the 25kg lifting restriction he now placed on me until the source of the new pain could be confirmed.
I worked for the rest of the week, having to reject jobs sent to me because of the restriction which cost me money and caused a lot of stress and worry. I attended the ultrasound appointment Saturday morning as arranged, and the Sonographer confirmed what my Doctor suspected. A right side femoral hernia thankfully it was 'reduceable'. I advised my Employer of the ultrasound results and my intention to claim Workers' Compensation for the injury.
That's when the shit hit the fan, so to speak. My Boss said he wasn't happy I a) didn't ask for help, b)didn't report the injury when it happened, and he didn't think I would qualify for Workers' Comp as I operate as a 'Sole Trader'.
Once I knew what the problem was, I did my own research and was I've got say, quite concerned. I asked for my Employers' Workers Comp details, and was met with a frosty reception but I kept my cool. Once again I was told I should not have accepted the job allocated to me.but my argument was there was no weight or dimensions on the job details, and that's why I took the job without question. AND I should never have been offered the job if there was a risk of it being outside my then current restrictions.
posted from Bloggeroid
No comments:
Post a Comment