Legal Question in Workers Comp in Illinois

I had left foot surgery on 2/17/10 for plantar facitis. Recovered well went back to work after 3 days struggled on feet for 12-14 hours a day. By May was doing well then started to feel pain in same foot ladt 2 weeks of may 2010. Pain was not the same as prior to surgery so I thought the pain was just a sore foot due to recent surgery. On June 7th when at work started at 5:30 am I was ok to walk with the soreness. At 8:15 am was walking around the warehouse to check a count of inventory and as I stepped forward heard a pop,snap and felt a very serious pain in my foot/ankle. I could not walk and asked a forklift driver to help me.ked if I was ok and I said no I can"t walk. I asked him to get me a chair with wheels from the office so he did and I wheeled back to the offie and immediately calledthe EHS manager and HR Supervisor to report the injury. I was covering for other employees on Vacation so I couldn't leave until I got coverage for the department. I called in another employee to cover . Another manaer went to the store to get me crutches so I could get to the Doctor. They did not mention for me to go to th company Dr which is normal proticol. I sat in a chair for 3 hours with Ice on my foot then went to the doctor that performed my surgery. He thought I had a Severe rupture of a tendon and put me in a stabilization boot until a MRI was performed shortly after the doctor visit that day. MRI results showed 2 fractures in my heal and rupture tendon. I staed home for 3 weeks then returned to work due to concern for my job. I am a manager and know how they feel about employees being off work. I was not ready to go back but was concerned. I rented a wheel chair and had to wheel it around the side of the building to a garage door to get in because there was no handicap accessability. Then I had a week off on vacation which was planned earlier in the year. spent the week at home hoping to recover sooner. Doctor did not want me to go back to work but for a 1/2 day. I returned to work with a knee scooter and strugled toget around. My manager and other staff members acted as if this had nothing to do with work I feared claiming workmans comp yet know my foot was agravated and caused the injury at work. I fear retaliation and have been a good employee now a manager since 2007 but with the company since 1977 a total of 33 years.


Asked on 7/16/10, 9:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nima Taradji Taradji Law Offices

With all due respect, you should not waste your time online. You need to speak with an attorney immediately to figure out whether your injury can be the result or can have been affected by your employment. This is serious and what the manager or co-workers think is of no importance.

My office does this sort of work and I will be more than happy to review your file and speak with you in person or over the phone to see what can be done for you. You have to move ASAP-it is important to be be able to file a WC claim so that you wage loss, medical bills and disability is paid for-otherwise, you will be on your own.

I hope this helps

(312)252-5252

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Answered on 7/17/10, 6:30 am


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