Thoracic outlet syndrome
 

Hi everyone..I'm a new member here who is looking for help. I have just been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome which was first thought to be carpal tunnel. I am in so much pain that i am at wit's end! I am so tired of all the Doctor run around. Test after test to get this diagnosis! It's a real pain in the neck (no pun intended..lol)

I am pretty certain this was caused from my job. I never had anything like this in all my years working as a secretary. At the job I'm at now I have terrible working conditions. Everyone else in my company has ergonmic support but when I asked for some help a few weeks ago when the pain started...I was told "we don't use those here". I went out and bought myself a new mouse and keyboard support but I still can't manage. I have nothing to hold my papers up at work so I look down when typing, my monitor is too low, I do repetitive work ...data entry daily. I have been missing days of work for my Dr appt's and of course not getting paid. My boss and other workers have had a major attitude with me over this. Another employee has started rumors saying "I'm faking it" ...I have been informed by another employee htat things are being said. I can't take it anymore..this isn't fair. I want to do my job but can't. They aren't giving any help or support ...just giving me more work and yelling if it's not getting done.

I decided to file a workman's comp claim today and now I'm afraid oflosing my job. My boss got real nasty with me over it and I also addressed the company policy regarding harrassment and "open discussion policy" . I mentioned the rumors and how i'm uncomfortable ...he said "I'm not getting involved with that", shrugged his shoulders and LEFT! Now what? I know this isn't going to go well but does anyone know how to go about getting workmans comp and does it cover RSI (thoracic outlet). Any info would be GREAT! Thanks.

T

Hi T and welcome to NeuroTalk. I checked and you have already found the TOS forum here. There is a great group of people there and they can so better answer your questions better than I can.

I wish you well on your claim.

First off do not let anyone bully you. As a manager, that was unacceptable behavior on behalf of your boss, particularly when it comes to harassment. Walking out on you is not right, neither is anger.

Take a moment to collect your thoughts. Keep a record of all conversations here on out. And try to make notes on everything that has gone on. Documentation is key. And try not to get into discussions with coworkers about the situation, even if they sympathesize. Keep your privacy and try to keep your cool.

I do not know how to go about getting workmans comp, but I would talk to a lawyer possibly and certainly would schedule a meeting with your HR dept if you have one.

Welcome to the TOS forum. Sorry it has to be under these circumstances.

Hi Momzpeachy
 

I replyed to you on the TOS forum. I did want you to know how important it is to seek consult with a attorney for your W/C claim. The laws can be very difficult and it is good to have someone well versed and knowledgable in W/C laws to get you thru this. You need to concentrate on getting well not dealing with adjusters and worring about your company. Once a claim is filed your company goes thru your lawyer not you.
Also your company can't fire you for filing a W/C claim.
At least schedule a appt with a attorney and ask some questions...
Best of luck..
Dawn

Yes, it is so important to keep notes, with times, who did you speak to, and about what? It's important for you to keep a pain journal, level of pain 0-10, what hurts, what were you doing ex: typing 20 minutes, pain was @ a level 5, pain was in my neck, hands etc.Do you have a family doctor? It's important that you see them be clear about symptom's @ pain. You have filed for worker's comp.it's best you have a lawyer! You now must find out what right's you have as an injured worker, better sooner than later.

Welcome to new friend's @ tons of support!!

here it goes!
 

Thanks for your replies. I am waiting to hear from the insurance company for the workman's comp claim. He wants to do a whole recorded interview. I don't know how this is going to go. I'm really glad I filed because I heard rumors at work yesterday that they still believe I'm faking all this and we're trying to force me to quit by not giving me any help and overload me on work I can't do. I'm so angry and frustrated! I don't need this on top of all the pain I'm in. I just want my life back but I don't see how that's going to happen any time soon. Now I have to find an attorney and I can't sit on the computer more than a few minutes so looking one up is hard to do. I don't know how this whole process works but what happened is not my fault and not being able to do my job is not my fault either. Being harrassed about it is just not fair. I just can't get anyone to really understand what I'm going through! Well have to go ...can't type anymore.

T

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
 

Hi, the most important of all things is to be sure and document and keep copies of everything YOU say! The dates are so important and I am speaking from experience since my case is on its 10th year (due to so many other problems and too many lawyers) without accurate records on your part you can cause yourself many "headaches". And be sure you know what your lawyer is sayng and doing and DO not sign anything unless you are completely sure of what it all means. I am speaking as a former Legal Secretary and still "screwed" up. Fortunately was able to reopen my case otherwise TOS and Knee would have been thrown out. Regardless how much pain you are in and how much you think you trust anyone, please review and take your time signing anything. Best to you. comformtamI always looking to be better and share.

I will post you as I have the same thing and I was (am) an attorney and will talk to you once as a friend about all of this. Everyone should know that you should file a work comp claim and never be scared off for the reasons above, and most important, GET A LAWYER. Work comp is not a do it yourself program. There are many pitfalls. Attorneys go to university, then four years of law school, and then training just to make sure they can BEAT you. You wouldn't try to roof your house or remove your appendix, right? I even have my own work comp lawyer, SS lawyer, and during my divorce, my own attorney then. It is the smartest, safest, sanest way to go.

Bless you all.

Hi there i know just what your going through because i went through this and still going trough it. It's been just over two years for me now and i don't think i well forget the things they said about me or to me. But one thing i found was i am a lot stronger then i thought i was. You have to get your self ready for a fight and don't let those jerks get you down talk to your friends the ones you don't work with cry let it out and let them know that things will get worse before they get better. As far as comp goes i am not sure what laws and rules you's have because i am from nova scotia canada. But if you like i can tell you every thing i did to get mine. Most important is have your doctors write letters and make sure they say that it is your job that has brought this on. That is very important because that is part of getting comp and i am sure its the same there as here. the other thing i seen that some one said to get a lawyer that is great if you can afford it but i had to do this on my own i just didn't have the money. now the next thing to do is get your doctor to put you off work and get you on the surgery list if that is how there going to fix the tos apply for unemployment sick leave you will need that well your waiting for comp to come through. I well have to stop there my hands are getting sore any ways if you wont to chat more please feel free to get in touch i can tell you more about me and every thing i have gone through with the pain and getting my comp it might help you get prepared for what might happen liven with tos. Your's truly mucker liven with Tos.

Hello Mucker; Glad to see your post. It's not to often I see someone post that is so close to home. I am about 4 hrs from you. Have you gotten confirmation on diagnosis of tos. It seems here in NB it's almost immpossible for me to get two specialists to agree on the diagnosis of tos. I am appealing wc decision. I was deemed. Still going to physio, I am waiting for an appointment for an other mri. How is NS wc to deal with? Take care.