Hello,
i am 8 months pregnant and I am at work, and just a little bit ago I was in the back room filing and one of the huge cabinets fell on me, and pinned me between another one. I was trying to hold it up so it wouldnt hurt the baby, but some of the lower drawers opened and hit it. Not too hard, but still I felt it. I was yelling and got some men in there to lift it and get me out, and needless to say I was pretty shook up and my heart was racing real bad. My stomach hurts a little, but I dont know at what point to be concerned. After it happened the baby moved around quite a bit for a while, (probably because my heart rate was so high) but she is calmed down now. I had a few braxton hicks, and I am still sore, but do you think I just got real excited and jittery, or should I be concerned. I just want the baby to be ok. I am going on maternity leave from this stupid job next Friday. I have told them for months it is too difficult for me to file right now, but they threatened to fire me if I didnt because its "Part of my job" and they constantly nag me about it. This is the same job that called my doctor and was trying to get information on me behind my back.. but thats another story. I am just frustrated, and want to make sure the baby is ok. Any advice?
ThankS!
Thanks for all your help guys!! I ended up calling my doctor, and she wanted to see me right away. So I left work, and went to her. She sent me over to the hospital to get a sonogram and have the baby monitored. I left around 10:00 at night, lol, and I feel so much better after hours of monitering knowing that my baby is safe. Doctors orders, I am off work today, and I am going to go in tomorrow and get a workers comp claim!!
Thanks again!!
I would go to the doctor RIGHT NOW.... you can never be too sure... you have grounds for a legal fight... just call and talk to your doctors and get in NOW.... don't wait...
D.--PLEASE file for Workman's comp. today. If you're ever injured at work, even if you trip and fall, make sure (if you're able to) to go to HR asap and file the report. I think your doctor's visit might be free if you file the report within a certian amount of time.`
they can't fire you for pregnancy related issues. if you're unable to fulfill your regular duties due to pregnancy they must, under federal law, find another position for you. i would contact my doctor and an attorney ASAP regardless of what how well you feel now.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR. You may need to be off your feet a day or so just to be safe.
I am so sorry about your frustrations with your job. I have typed and deleted so much in responding to your message. Have faith that you and your baby are ok.
Congratulations on the pregnancy - you are so close!!!
Call your OB and tell him/her what happened. They may want to bring you in for a sonogram just to check the baby to make sure she isn't in any distress. This will put your mind at peace as well.
Good luck!!!
-Char
I would call your dr. and talked to a nurse just to be sure. They might want to see you to make sure your blood pressure isn't to high and to check the babies heart rate. Don't be scared about calling them, I called my Dr's office probably 5-10 times in my last 6 wks. That is what they are there for.
I hope you are able to have a nice break from your "horrible" job while you are on Maternity Leave.
Good Luck,
J.
They can't fire you. The fact they even said that is grounds for a law suit. You have legal rights to protect your child and yourself and only you can determine what you have the ability to do at this point.
Inform them that you are taking the rest of the day off. Call your doctor. Go home and put your feet up until he can see you!
If they argue with you over this, inform them that legally they have already crossed the line with harrassment, putting you at risk of injury, and contacting your physician. You can take them to the cleaners with legal counsel.
Good luck dear! It will be ok!
Jodi
D. - I am so sorry! How scary! All the advice so far is spot-on. You need to call your doctor and explain what happened, and yes, yes, yes get a sonogram.
What concerns me the most about this is the fact that a filing cabinet fell. How did it fall? Why did it fall? Even if you weren't pregnant, this is a severe safety concern. You need to immediately file a worker's comp claim. You are required to report work-related injuries as soon as possible, and (I think) no later than 24 hours. Your work is required to notify the state of the injury, and there are penalties associated with late notice.
I'm not advocating that this be made into a big, huge monetary claim - but you need to protect you and your baby's interests. Failure to report it may mean denial of a claim later on. And yes, your work can require you to see a doctor for it, too. They have a vested interest in minimizing risk. Absolutely they should pay for today's doctor visit. Make sure when you visit that you have them file it under the worker's comp insurance, not your own personal insurance.
Please don't allow your company to bully you in this situation. Ask for the worker's comp insurance company's phone number and call them yourself if you feel resistance. If you are met with refusal, please take the next step and inform the state.
But on a more personal note, oh, just how scary! Both mama and baby need to recover from this! Take it easy. Take deep breaths....hang in there. Good luck. S.
Yes, please call the doc right now if you haven't already done so. Then later on, update your request and let us know you are ok. We may not know you personally, but we all feel for you and are concerned for you. I'm sure your baby is ok... but just go and be sure!
As for work, what you need is a note from your doctor saying that you should not file or do other things that are too hard for you. Unfortunately, they can indeed fire you (as immoral as it may be) if you can't get a doctor's note saying you shouldn't be filing. I went through something similar and finally got my nurse practitioner to write a note. One you have that magic little note, you are home free to tell them you won't do it and they can't touch you! Good luck.
If I were you, I would file an injury report with your company and make them pay for you to go to your OB to have you and your baby checked out today. The injury was at work so I think your work should be responsible. You warned them that the filing was too dangerous for you and they still required you to do it. I think you might have grounds for a suit as well. I would call an attorney after going to the doctor if it was me. I hope you and your baby are fine. Good luck!
I agree, file an injury report, but get to the doctor first. Write down the names of the guys who helped you and time and day. You will need that for your report. Request a sonogram just to be on the safe side. You and your baby girl are probably just fine but cover yourself by filing a report and get to the doc just to make sure everything is ok.
I would get myself to the doctor ASAP and make sure everything is ok. Chances are you and the baby are fine, but I would err on the side of caution and not take any chances. Then I would go on maternity leave and tell that job to deal with it or speak with my attorney! Take care of yourself!
D.
Call and talk with the nurse. It'll make you feel better and your OB is going to want to know, they may have you come in just to check. I bet it will help your nerves too....
Take care of you and that little blessing :)
