Workplace injury

[mvhyden]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois My girlfriend works in a customer service position in a casino where she constantly uses a computer while standing. The counter the computer monitor and keyboard sits on is lower than a standard kitchen counter making it uncomfortable to use. Two months ago, my girlfriend developed a severe headache and knot on the back of her neck. The headache has been taken care of, but the neck pain is so severe at times, it causes her to become sick to her stomach. She has missed work a few times, and several times has left work early. She's been to the emergency room twice, an urgent care facility, and now a neurologist who has referred her to physical therapy, but it's not making a difference. The neuro also believes the injury could be caused by her work. I also work at the same casino and know quite well how management there works. If she continues to miss work, or leave early, they will get rid of her. Does she have any legal recourse should they fire her even though her job duties seem to have caused the injury?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois My girlfriend works in a customer service position in a casino where she constantly uses a computer while standing. The counter the computer monitor and keyboard sits on is lower than a standard kitchen counter making it uncomfortable to use. Two months ago, my girlfriend developed a severe headache and knot on the back of her neck. The headache has been taken care of, but the neck pain is so severe at times, it causes her to become sick to her stomach. She has missed work a few times, and several times has left work early. She's been to the emergency room twice, an urgent care facility, and now a neurologist who has referred her to physical therapy, but it's not making a difference. The neuro also believes the injury could be caused by her work. I also work at the same casino and know quite well how management there works. If she continues to miss work, or leave early, they will get rid of her. Does she have any legal recourse should they fire her even though her job duties seem to have caused the injury?

Is there a diagnosis?

 

[mvhyden]

The neuro says it might be a muscle spasm. My gf says it feels like a constant cramp.

 

[Proserpina]

The neuro says it might be a muscle spasm. My gf says it feels like a constant cramp.

These would be symptoms, not a diagnosis of an actual disease/condition...

Your gf has no recourse for suffering muscle cramps.

 

[mvhyden]

My question is, if they try to fire her for missing work due to a physical condition that the job caused, then does she have any legal recourse.

 

[Proserpina]

My question is, if they try to fire her for missing work due to a physical condition that the job caused, then does she have any legal recourse.

If that happens, she may - but your girlfriend does not have a diagnosis yet. When she asked them to accommodate her because of the pain, what did they say?

 

[mvhyden]

Her first day back after missing 4 days after this all started, they had elevated one computer monitor and she used it all night. But the next day, it was back on the counter along with the other monitors. She hasn't asked to have it elevated again. I believe this is the reason she's not improving even with physical therapy.

 

[Proserpina]

Her first day back after missing 4 days after this all started, they had elevated one computer monitor and she used it all night. But the next day, it was back on the counter along with the other monitors. She hasn't asked to have it elevated again. I believe this is the reason she's not improving even with physical therapy.

So they accommodated her when asked - that's good. Tell her to ask them again.

 

[mvhyden]

She says she'll ask tonight. I'll let you know how it goes. Thx