worker's comp?

Sweet.im4u

New member
Hello, I am not sure if Healthboards is a place to post this sort of thing, but it is health-related, so I figure it is a good idea....

Here's the deal....I know next to nothing about this stuff, and so trying to navigate it on my own has been tough. I worked a restaurant job where I was on my feet for 6 1/2 hours straight typically, sometimes longer, sometimes less. Over time I developed an injury (which remains without a specific diagnosis because I am too poor to pay the MRI costs. I pay for out of pocket insurance with a deducatable and a high co-pay.
Anyways, I was having some problems at work for a variety of reasons, mostly I was sick of the job and they kept promising to promote me but never did. I started showing up 3-5 minutes late and I got written up for it twice. I signed a piece of paper that said if I did it one more time they could fire me for it.
Anyways, I started taking it more seriosuly because I needed the money and with the economy as is, I could not afford to loose my job. However, around this time, the pain which had simply been a nagging constant ache in my hip/leg progressed significantly into a SERIOUS ache/numbness/etc.
I called in sick a few times to work because I COULD not walk without serious discomfort/pain.
Looking back, I realize I should have asked for time off, but I was unaware of my rights at the time, and was afraid if I asked for time off, I would go broke or they would fire me. I did not get paid for the days I could not work.
So, for at least a month I grit my teeth and powered through my shifts with tons of advil.
My boss knew I was trying to reslove an injury, but there was not much communication about this. I realize now this was also stupid. He made me feel nervous to bring it up, because it was never well-received whenever I called in sick.
My last shift at work I was in A LOT of pain, and should have just gone home, but due to my stubborness and ability to tolerate a lot of pain, I pushed through it. I guess some woman called and complained about me to my boss....who then was going to fire me. I am CERTAIN he was going to fire me....So i just quit instead...This was where I really went wrong, but I was worried that if I was fired I would not be eligible for unemployment.
So now I have been out of work for 2 weeks and am in so much pain that I cannot get another job...I can barely walk to the grocery store and back. So, I am paniced becaused I don;t know what kind of benefits or compensation I am eligible for, if any.....
I think this injury is going to take a while to heal, and that I will have to keep off my feet and not work for a bit.
:(
So my question is: if I quit, am I still eligible for worker's comp from having been injured on the job?
If so, what are the benefits of workers comp?
And...what about disability?
I am so overwhelmed!!! Please help!
:dizzy:
 
Me and my husband have both been on workmans comp. They don't pay much ecspecially for a serving position. If you have proof that you had been seen by a dr for this injury before the time you quit I don't see how they couldn't consider it work related. I had bursitis and posterior capsular tightening in the shoulder and didn't file a claim for monthes. According to federal law you have 180 days to file a claim. Be honest tell them you were going to take care of the problem yourself and thought it'd go away. If it is something like bursitis of the hip and also sounds like your SI Joint is out of place any dr will most likely tell you its from repetitive motion. But workmans comp will cover all medical bills and prescriptions with no money out of your pocket. Call your old job and ask them what their workmans comp insurance is and tell them you need to file a claim. Also choose your own dr don't go to one they recommend. Whether you get it paid for or not you really should go to the ER (they have to help you and you can make payment arrangements) and have an ultrasound of your hip and knee. A cortisone injection and good anti inflamitories are probably going to be your savior. Let me know if you have any other questions I'm happy to help.
 
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