work compensation for chronic back pain

tanith

LilyDeTilly wrote: »

But the lack of desk assessment is not good. An employees environment should be safe in the early stages. It shouldn't get to the point of there being problems or injuries before something is done or even looked at.

But they wouldn't do an assessment until there were problems, if the OP was off sick with back problems for instance it should of been brought to their attention formally and with a GP certificate stating that there were problems with the work station and it should be assessed. It doesn't sound as though the OP did this.

Nixer

I was about to ask, but mrspanda has sort of touched on it - do chiropractors have any clout when providing opinion/assessment on people's back/neck etc. problems?

I'd push for an assessment at work - our company does them every 2 years (I think) for all employees. And go to the GP even if you think the chiro is helping.

Bit off topic but just out of interest have you ever tried not having a chiro session when you normally would just make an appointment? I used to swear by chiropractic, despite the lack of evidence that it was anything other than utter quackery, but I had a bad episode of neck pain this summer (I have a permanent neck injury which gives me pain from time to time) and my chiropractor was away and I couldn't get an appointment with anyone else. I self treated with Ibuprofen and a bag of frozen peas (topical, not ingested) which is what the GP advised and the pain went after 3 days. The pain used to go 3 days after seeing the chiropractor.

Obviously I haven't conducted a double blind test on myself (it'd be impossible for starters) but it made me wonder whether my pain just tends to go away of its own accord.

I know some GPs can be rubbish with backs and that may be why a lot of people end up at the chiropractors but I think you have to be persistent and it's worth doing to rule out some underlying condition. My OH has been persistent with his GP and it turns out he does have a permanent condition and is now getting pain management and physio to help manage it. He initially thought it was his wonky chair at work that was the cause. (He has a good chair now).

FBaby

For one, a clinical assessment from a chiro might not be accepted as a medical one. Secondly, they have indeed made an assessment by what you've said rather than facts. Thirdly, you say that you hadn't realised there was a problem until the chiro pointed it out. Have you discussed how you sit on the sofa, at your table at home, your mattress etc... because I can imagine you would have to prove that your back problems are ONLY caused by the work situation.

There seem to be a lot of incertainties in this case...

ValAl_2

LilyDeTilly wrote: »

Some people seem to be missing this point.

I'm not sure why Val is getting such a hard time about not realising the pain was related to her work. Back pain is a slow burner sometimes and it is not always obvious what caused the pain or injury.

I get the feeling that there is a lot more info that Val has, but she kept the post short and to the point rather than rambling on (as some posts do).

RSI is something that takes time to develop (hence the name - repetative!) so it is not unreasonable to assume that your job may cause it.

Thank you LilyDeTilly, you are the only one who actually understands the case from the little that I have said.
I have already consulted a lawyer and they will get back to me next week.
It is the first time I am posting something at a forum and I had no idea of how many bullies are up here!
What's with that Googlewhacker person?! Sooo determined to be wholeheartedly negative!
I will close this thread (as soon as I figure out how!) because I am not really getting any help besides from people's personal opinions.
Thank you to the people who gave me the relative links!

ValAl_2

tanith wrote: »

But they wouldn't do an assessment until there were problems, if the OP was off sick with back problems for instance it should of been brought to their attention formally and with a GP certificate stating that there were problems with the work station and it should be assessed. It doesn't sound as though the OP did this.

They won't do an assessment until there are problems?!! What are you talking about! It seems to me you have never worked for anyone or you never had anyone working for you.

ekkygirl

ValAl wrote: »

Well they should know whether the position they require me to work from will cause me pain because it is their responsibility to know!!! Basic health and safety.

I dont see how they could know if you didnt know an you were using the chair an monitor for all that time.
If they fail to do something about it now that they do know, then you would have a case against them.
If you had said 3 years ago "this feels wrong can someone look at it"? and they didn't then I would say they were liable.

There isn't always someone else to blame.

ValAl_2

ekkygirl wrote: »

I dont see how they could know if you didnt know an you were using the chair an monitor for all that time.
If they fail to do something about it now that they do know, then you would have a case against them.
If you had said 3 years ago "this feels wrong can someone look at it"? and they didn't then I would say they were liable.

There isn't always someone else to blame.

Please read everything I have written before replying.
I don't even know why you are replying to this thread anyway. You have no help to offer.

Indie_Kid

How is this their fault? Due to my disabilities, I need reasonable adjustments at work. When I started, I had to inform them that I (due to past medical assessments) need x, y and z. You can't expect them to know what you need.

Another issue I had, I mentioned to my manager on Monday and he said that I was allowed to do what it is I need for me to work to the best of my abilities.

ekkygirl

I tried to edit as I have not desire to help a compensation culture person. You are rude to anyone not saying "poor you"

ekkygirl

ValAl wrote: »

Please read everything I have written before replying.
I don't even know why you are replying to this thread anyway. You have no help to offer.

I did read it all and the help I offered doesn't suit you.