Getting hurt at work while not doing anything work related












6














I’m in the US as due to the wonders of the American healthcare system, that will impact the answer.



I’m a desk jockey, I write code. For the holidays,I got a fancy new mechanical keyboard. While reaching under my desk at work to plug it in, I pulled a back muscle so hard, I could basically not move.



I took Advil and waited, but it just got worse. I finally called my HMO’s advice nurse line and as soon as I mentioned I was at work, she suddenly stopped asking me about my symptoms or giving me advice, and started talking to me about workman’s comp, how this could be my employer’s responsibility, etc... she basically became a wall. Frustrated, I just hung up and went to urgent care (I slooowly got in my girlfriends car and she drove me). A couple muscle relaxants later, I’m basically ok, but my question is why did this happen? If my job was moving boxes or handling heavy machinery and I got hurt, then sure, I understand how this could be my employer’s responsibility, but in this case, I really don’t see it that way and I couldn’t get anything out of the advice nurse. Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer? In the end, I am just really annoyed that before getting relief for the pain, I had to go through a where did this happen, did you tell your employer, etc...






united-states health







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  • 1




    You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
    – Joe Strazzere
    1 hour ago


















6














I’m in the US as due to the wonders of the American healthcare system, that will impact the answer.



I’m a desk jockey, I write code. For the holidays,I got a fancy new mechanical keyboard. While reaching under my desk at work to plug it in, I pulled a back muscle so hard, I could basically not move.



I took Advil and waited, but it just got worse. I finally called my HMO’s advice nurse line and as soon as I mentioned I was at work, she suddenly stopped asking me about my symptoms or giving me advice, and started talking to me about workman’s comp, how this could be my employer’s responsibility, etc... she basically became a wall. Frustrated, I just hung up and went to urgent care (I slooowly got in my girlfriends car and she drove me). A couple muscle relaxants later, I’m basically ok, but my question is why did this happen? If my job was moving boxes or handling heavy machinery and I got hurt, then sure, I understand how this could be my employer’s responsibility, but in this case, I really don’t see it that way and I couldn’t get anything out of the advice nurse. Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer? In the end, I am just really annoyed that before getting relief for the pain, I had to go through a where did this happen, did you tell your employer, etc...






united-states health







share|improve this question




















  • 1




    You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
    – Joe Strazzere
    1 hour ago
















6












6








6







I’m in the US as due to the wonders of the American healthcare system, that will impact the answer.



I’m a desk jockey, I write code. For the holidays,I got a fancy new mechanical keyboard. While reaching under my desk at work to plug it in, I pulled a back muscle so hard, I could basically not move.



I took Advil and waited, but it just got worse. I finally called my HMO’s advice nurse line and as soon as I mentioned I was at work, she suddenly stopped asking me about my symptoms or giving me advice, and started talking to me about workman’s comp, how this could be my employer’s responsibility, etc... she basically became a wall. Frustrated, I just hung up and went to urgent care (I slooowly got in my girlfriends car and she drove me). A couple muscle relaxants later, I’m basically ok, but my question is why did this happen? If my job was moving boxes or handling heavy machinery and I got hurt, then sure, I understand how this could be my employer’s responsibility, but in this case, I really don’t see it that way and I couldn’t get anything out of the advice nurse. Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer? In the end, I am just really annoyed that before getting relief for the pain, I had to go through a where did this happen, did you tell your employer, etc...






united-states health







share|improve this question















I’m in the US as due to the wonders of the American healthcare system, that will impact the answer.



I’m a desk jockey, I write code. For the holidays,I got a fancy new mechanical keyboard. While reaching under my desk at work to plug it in, I pulled a back muscle so hard, I could basically not move.



I took Advil and waited, but it just got worse. I finally called my HMO’s advice nurse line and as soon as I mentioned I was at work, she suddenly stopped asking me about my symptoms or giving me advice, and started talking to me about workman’s comp, how this could be my employer’s responsibility, etc... she basically became a wall. Frustrated, I just hung up and went to urgent care (I slooowly got in my girlfriends car and she drove me). A couple muscle relaxants later, I’m basically ok, but my question is why did this happen? If my job was moving boxes or handling heavy machinery and I got hurt, then sure, I understand how this could be my employer’s responsibility, but in this case, I really don’t see it that way and I couldn’t get anything out of the advice nurse. Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer? In the end, I am just really annoyed that before getting relief for the pain, I had to go through a where did this happen, did you tell your employer, etc...






united-states health




united-states health






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share|improve this question













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edited 3 hours ago









nvoigt

46.5k20112156




46.5k20112156










asked 6 hours ago









Matt

29436




29436








  • 1




    You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
    – Joe Strazzere
    1 hour ago
















  • 1




    You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
    – Joe Strazzere
    1 hour ago










1




1




You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
– Joe Strazzere
1 hour ago






You need to make sure you report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.
– Joe Strazzere
1 hour ago












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















10














Helpdesk nurses are in the awkward position between healthcare and helpdesk, she probably has a script she has to stick to.
The "got hurt at work" box on that particular flowchart likely only has one line going you of it: "The guys from Legal will chew you out if you say anything here"



Because, even in more civilized countries, getting hurt at work lands everybody involved in a massive legal quagmire of responsibilities.



In this case you probably should have called someone in the company, usually there are designated people for all first-aid related issues.






share|improve this answer





























    2















    Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer?




    It can be a legal minefield but generally yes.



    Circumstances and laws may change that to a no (your fault or company not liable) or a hell yes.



    For instance:




    • Did a supervisor say you may or have to plug the keyboard in?


    • Does the company have an IT department that does these kinds of things?


    • Are you allowed or prohibited to alter company equipment?


    • Did you inform your employer right away about the incident?


    Disclosure: I'm not familiar with U.S. laws regarding this.






    share|improve this answer





























      0














      You went under your desk to plug a keyboard in. You are using that keyboard for work. If you don't plug it in, you can't do your job. OF COURSE this is a work related accident.






      share|improve this answer





















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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        10














        Helpdesk nurses are in the awkward position between healthcare and helpdesk, she probably has a script she has to stick to.
        The "got hurt at work" box on that particular flowchart likely only has one line going you of it: "The guys from Legal will chew you out if you say anything here"



        Because, even in more civilized countries, getting hurt at work lands everybody involved in a massive legal quagmire of responsibilities.



        In this case you probably should have called someone in the company, usually there are designated people for all first-aid related issues.






        share|improve this answer


























          10














          Helpdesk nurses are in the awkward position between healthcare and helpdesk, she probably has a script she has to stick to.
          The "got hurt at work" box on that particular flowchart likely only has one line going you of it: "The guys from Legal will chew you out if you say anything here"



          Because, even in more civilized countries, getting hurt at work lands everybody involved in a massive legal quagmire of responsibilities.



          In this case you probably should have called someone in the company, usually there are designated people for all first-aid related issues.






          share|improve this answer
























            10












            10








            10






            Helpdesk nurses are in the awkward position between healthcare and helpdesk, she probably has a script she has to stick to.
            The "got hurt at work" box on that particular flowchart likely only has one line going you of it: "The guys from Legal will chew you out if you say anything here"



            Because, even in more civilized countries, getting hurt at work lands everybody involved in a massive legal quagmire of responsibilities.



            In this case you probably should have called someone in the company, usually there are designated people for all first-aid related issues.






            share|improve this answer












            Helpdesk nurses are in the awkward position between healthcare and helpdesk, she probably has a script she has to stick to.
            The "got hurt at work" box on that particular flowchart likely only has one line going you of it: "The guys from Legal will chew you out if you say anything here"



            Because, even in more civilized countries, getting hurt at work lands everybody involved in a massive legal quagmire of responsibilities.



            In this case you probably should have called someone in the company, usually there are designated people for all first-aid related issues.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 4 hours ago









            Borgh

            2,6111616




            2,6111616

























                2















                Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer?




                It can be a legal minefield but generally yes.



                Circumstances and laws may change that to a no (your fault or company not liable) or a hell yes.



                For instance:




                • Did a supervisor say you may or have to plug the keyboard in?


                • Does the company have an IT department that does these kinds of things?


                • Are you allowed or prohibited to alter company equipment?


                • Did you inform your employer right away about the incident?


                Disclosure: I'm not familiar with U.S. laws regarding this.






                share|improve this answer


























                  2















                  Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer?




                  It can be a legal minefield but generally yes.



                  Circumstances and laws may change that to a no (your fault or company not liable) or a hell yes.



                  For instance:




                  • Did a supervisor say you may or have to plug the keyboard in?


                  • Does the company have an IT department that does these kinds of things?


                  • Are you allowed or prohibited to alter company equipment?


                  • Did you inform your employer right away about the incident?


                  Disclosure: I'm not familiar with U.S. laws regarding this.






                  share|improve this answer
























                    2












                    2








                    2







                    Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer?




                    It can be a legal minefield but generally yes.



                    Circumstances and laws may change that to a no (your fault or company not liable) or a hell yes.



                    For instance:




                    • Did a supervisor say you may or have to plug the keyboard in?


                    • Does the company have an IT department that does these kinds of things?


                    • Are you allowed or prohibited to alter company equipment?


                    • Did you inform your employer right away about the incident?


                    Disclosure: I'm not familiar with U.S. laws regarding this.






                    share|improve this answer













                    Does merely getting hurt at work even if it has nothing to do with your job mean it’s on the employer?




                    It can be a legal minefield but generally yes.



                    Circumstances and laws may change that to a no (your fault or company not liable) or a hell yes.



                    For instance:




                    • Did a supervisor say you may or have to plug the keyboard in?


                    • Does the company have an IT department that does these kinds of things?


                    • Are you allowed or prohibited to alter company equipment?


                    • Did you inform your employer right away about the incident?


                    Disclosure: I'm not familiar with U.S. laws regarding this.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 1 hour ago









                    DigitalBlade969

                    4,5881420




                    4,5881420























                        0














                        You went under your desk to plug a keyboard in. You are using that keyboard for work. If you don't plug it in, you can't do your job. OF COURSE this is a work related accident.






                        share|improve this answer


























                          0














                          You went under your desk to plug a keyboard in. You are using that keyboard for work. If you don't plug it in, you can't do your job. OF COURSE this is a work related accident.






                          share|improve this answer
























                            0












                            0








                            0






                            You went under your desk to plug a keyboard in. You are using that keyboard for work. If you don't plug it in, you can't do your job. OF COURSE this is a work related accident.






                            share|improve this answer












                            You went under your desk to plug a keyboard in. You are using that keyboard for work. If you don't plug it in, you can't do your job. OF COURSE this is a work related accident.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 11 mins ago









                            gnasher729

                            82.2k35146261




                            82.2k35146261






























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