I have potentially injured my back at work. I dont know how or when it happened. I always lift correctly, so i dont need a lecture, i just need advice on how to proceed from here on in.

I have had a pain in my lower back on my right side for a few weeks now. It is there most of the day, and becomes a sharper pain when i put my weight on my right side and twist/turn in the same direction, although this doesnt happen every single time, and isnt the only way to bring out the pain. Sometimes it will strike just when im walking or leaning on something. I have no idea what injury I have.

So obviosuly the first step is to see a doctor, but how should i approach my employer about this? Heavy lifting and manual handling can't be avoided in my workplace, and I dont want to seem like a dummy spitter compo bum, but as far as im concerned no job is worth your destroying your back for.

Anyone been through something similar at work? Advice please...

First step, let your manager know! As soon as it happens let them know what you think the problem might be and have them document it.

Second step, go and see a medical profesional see a Doctor first and if need be get a referal to a specialist or a physiotherapist/chyro etc etc

Make sure you let your manager know what is going on, it is imperative, make them doccument it and get an original copy of the doccument.

If it does all hit the fan you have something to fall back on.

Hopefully it is just some soft tissue soreness that will fade over a few days, best of luck!

and making sure its doco'd is a good first step to getting those days off to rest up, with full sick pay.

go to your own doctor too - the company appointed one will do what the company pays them to do. If you have a work cover case, make sure you get your own doctor to refer a specialist. My biggest mistake was letting the company 'take care of everything' and I still have a sore back (twisting injury) after 3 years.


The companies 'specialist' gave work cover the all clear after 3 months of physio, I believe it should have been at least another month.

TAC or workcover are slacko

I reckon you must go see a dr, and get report exactly u have been injured from work, and then find a legal adviser or lawyer and then go from there. What i mean TAC and WorkCover are slocko that they will take longer than u expected and longer than u can wait for the claim to be approved!!

Wasn't me who injured at work, family member who injured from car crash into our workshop. got evidence and tv news, and dr and specialist. still take almost 5yrs to go through. thats in our case. not sure about urs.

Hope that helps

cheers

BLOOD DUSTER I got to hand it to your employer for employing you at 100 years of age.