Back Pain and Osteoarthritis at work

Buzyizzy

I am a community carer.
April last year I suffered a back injury due to the negligence of my employer at the time. They have now admitted liability and compensation is being sorted.
I am now suffering from osteoarthritis in my hands and it has now reached the stage where I am unable to carry out all my calls and I have had my work hours reduced as a result.
Three weeks ago I suffered a similar, but not as severe, back injury at work which has left me in continual pain and I am currently struggling to carry out my normal life. My GP wanted to sign me off but I asked him to issue a sick note recommending I go on light duties, which he has kindly done.
He has also recommended that I have an assessment with OH, which my employer ignored at first, but is now organising.
I am terrified that I am going to suffer a reduction in income as I cannot afford it. I am still 10 years from retirement age and I need to keep going. I have spoken to a lady at the OA charity pages, but she just recommended I change my duties, which I can't as I am doing all the lighter visits as it is.
On top of all this, I am currently in the throes of moving house to be nearer my children, so I shall be leaving my present job. What happens when I apply for a new job? The OA has limited my options so much I have no idea what I can do now. I shall obviously have a substantial payout in compensation, but I am going to need to work too!

TELLIT01

Your GPs recommendation for light duties only is just that, a recommendation, and your employer does not have to comply with that. They can say you are not fit for work and just pay you sick pay, be that company sick pay or SSP.
If compensation has been agreed for the back injury it would suggest that it is a permanent injury, but you have continued to work in a role where the injury can, and has, happened again. It's even possible that the employer will now challenge the original compensation decision.
Much as you clearly don't want to admit it to yourself, and I sympathise, you have to come to terms with the fact that you really are not physically able to do the job any more. Your options are limited as you say, they are that you continue doing a job which could leave you disabled for life, or seek employment which doesn't have the same physical demands as the present job.