Work cover or not to work cover

[shortie]

I was carrying a 25-30kg box upstairs yesterday at work in preperation for a trade show next week, when my back decided to spasm.

It has got progressively worse today to the point where it took me an hour to get dressed and get into the car to go to the doctors.

The doctor prescribed antiinflammatories and muscle relaxant and booked me into the physio.

He asked me if he should process it as a work cover claim. SO i wont have to pay anything.

I dont particularily want a work cover claim against any employment histry as it can limit chances to employment later. But i dont want to be stuck with ongoing back injury bills either.

Doctor noted in his notes that it was work related and when i go back later in the week to make the descision about work cover then.

Yours thoughts.

Shortie

[JarrydA]

Id take it as a claim. If things get worse, or it turns out to be a permanent problem, your going to have issues claiming it later on. Workcover is there for exactly this reason. Use it

My 2c

[Manni79]

Depends on how bad your back gets, I would opt out from claiming for the reason you stated about employment however if it's possible to cause serious long term issues then you'd be better off claiming

Back related injuries and especially surgery on backs is very, very expensive and down time for recovery can be months !!! and if your not covered, well it's going to be a costly exercise

[rayke1938]

Do not know about current workcover regs but 15 years ago when I was tied up with Workers Health center prospective employers had no access to workcover history.

I would definitely claim there is so much that can go wrong with your back now and in the future.

We used to see so many injuries where people had very little chance of a successful compo claim because they did not report an injury when it happened.

For example you do not report and subsequently aggravate the condition at home.

Bad luck you are up the creek.

Report and you have a good chance as the home injury is aggravating an existing recognized injury.

Cheers

Ray

[WayneD]

That should be a 2 person lift at that weight. If you were my employee I'd give you a written warning. Gave out one last week to an employee who stuck his finger in an alternator while it was going on the test bench. I couldn't write it down due to stupidity so wrote it down for not following procedures. For those of you who think its harsh this guy has had 4 work cover claims in the last year due to his own decision making.

As for your back I would definately claim it. Backs are fragile and are prone to reoccurring problems.

[shortie]

I have a mate who currently has a

Knee injury from work

And work cover isn't worth a pinch of poo

Has letters

From specialists that say it requires surgery

Work cover will spend 25k supposing

Making his work site safe rather than paying for surgery

He is paying for surgery himself as its the only way he will ever have full function back

Work cover seem to think that less than 50 function

Is an adequate solution for the rest of his life

[shortie]

Wayne that would mean giving myself a written warning

I'm a 1 man show in Queensland

[rayke1938]

Would be his employer paying for making workplace safe not workcover.

Workcover may have ordered rectification,

He can appeal decision.

Is he going through his union they should be supporting him.

Cheers

Ray

[shortie]

Ray, work cover is making a 1 off payment to the employer to make the site injury friendly. So that he can try to continue to work whilst injured. I will ask about his union. As much as i despise unions i will suggest he approach them to see if the will go into bat for him

[Eug]

Did you lift with your knees? Have you go private health insurance?

Personally, if I was in your situation where it may possibly affect any future work prospects. I'd consider the severity of it financially and if it was due to my own carelessness. If I could go through my own health insurance then that may be an option to keep your slate clean, otherwise go through work cover.

P.S. AFO is a fishing forum we shouldn't be talking about this kinda stuff

[Greenmachine]

You should be able to make a written report of the incident without claiming workcover at this stage so if you dont mind covering the costs at the moment and not making a claim for future employment reasons atleast if you need to at a later date, can claim as the incident has been recorded. As previously stated back problems usually will reoccur and medical costs and down time can become quite costly. On another note, Workcover has really clamped down on payouts and if you were at fault by not following safe lifting procedures you may not have a case anyway. They will investigate the claim and will go as far as fining the Business if they have failed to train you on safe lifting procedures.

[Malcolm]

If you have a good record up till now I'd claim

[Zoob]

I agree with all the comments suggesting you claim.

Mainly due to the high probability of reoccurrence, especially in taller people.

My 2c

[tomca]

Quite clear really, you are not built for manual labour. Avoid doing any at all costs.

A one off injury would not be seen as too much of a problem by a prospective employer, and if it turns out to be serious, claim or not, you would declare a pre-existing back injury so better off putting the form in. As long as it is lodged with workcover, you have your bases covered, whether you proceed or not.

[Luc53]

Definitely go the work cover claim.

Back injuries always need special care.

[dassa]

I was carrying a 25-30kg box upstairs yesterday at work in preperation for a trade show next week, when my back decided to spasm.

It has got progressively worse today to the point where it took me an hour to get dressed and get into the car to go to the doctors.

The doctor prescribed antiinflammatories and muscle relaxant and booked me into the physio.

He asked me if he should process it as a work cover claim. SO i wont have to pay anything.

I dont particularily want a work cover claim against any employment histry as it can limit chances to employment later. But i dont want to be stuck with ongoing back injury bills either.

Doctor noted in his notes that it was work related and when i go back later in the week to make the descision about work cover then.

Yours thoughts.

Shortie

in what universe would you be able to 20kg let alone 25/30 lol