Sent Back to Work with a Fractured Arm...

by Anonymous
(USA)

I went to work Friday where I fell and hurt my arm. I filed an incident report and went back to work, but after I got home my arm started to hurt worse. I went to the hospital Saturday morning and they wouldn't let me get an x-ray without papers from work, so I went home until Monday when my workplace opened.

I finally got to the hospital for x-rays Monday and discovered I had a fracture. But they sent me back to work anyway. I feel that none of this was legal. Am I wrong?

Disclaimer: Information provided in your response is not formal legal advice, it is generic legal information and is based on the very limited information given in your question. You should always get a formal case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "Sent Back to Work with a Fractured Arm...":

Anonymous (USA):

What happened wasn't illegal. Illegal implies a crime of some sort was committed. Although your employer's actions on their face seem inappropriate, they weren't calculated to purposely inflict harm upon you.

You are entitled to have your medical bills fully compensated. Presuming you have workmans compensation insurance, the next step would be to contact the company's insurance representative and file a claim. Once your claim ihas been filed you will be in a position to receive the medical care you need.

If the doctors on the workmans compensation insurance list tell you to stay home from work you should also be partially compensated for your lost wages.

The facts you present say "they" sent you back to work. Normally doctors at hospitals don't send people back to work. If your arm was fractured it was probably casted. Hospital doctors do not tell patients to go back to work. That just doesn't happen.

If you saw one of the doctors on your employer's workmans compensation workmans compensation list that might be a different story. Those doctors can suggest to you to go back to work, but even they can't order you to go back to work.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.

Best of luck,

Law Guy

----------------