I may have to quit my $23.00 an hr job due to my back.

[maveric]

I recently started working at NASSCO. A major shipbuilding company in San Diego. Its a great facility with a great history and they pay top wages. I was told that they needed me in a lower supervisory role or in planning/engineering. That changed after my training period ended. They put me in "production" on this huge ship (T-AKE 472), that we are building. This job, as it turns out id about 75% physical, with me having to haul a 125 lb tool bag up 75 degree ladders, forward and aft on a 900 ft long vessel. In my younger days this would not have been a problem. But my previous history of 24+ years of shipbuilding/repair took its toll on my back, forcing me into two lumbar surgeries. My back is very weak, as my doctor told me it would be and this job is getting to be impossible for me.

I'm home today as was I yesterday. The pain is so severe that I cant walk upright. I'm taking 800 mg Motrin, Vicodin and have a Therma Care heat patch on. The pain is killing me to the point of tears and lack of sleep. I fear that tomorrow I will have to resign if they cant put me in a position that I was led to believe that I would be put in.

I hate this! The wages and benefits are great here. Plus its right in my element. If I continue to try to perform as they expect me too, my back will get worse or I face the possibility of slipping/falling to more severe injury of death. The 100% they expect out of me will not be fulfilled in this condition. The doctors told me that me back will be weak for the rest of my life. This is NOT good!

Tomorrow I will speak with the Employee Advocate to see what they can do for me but it doesn't look good. They need me in production and I cant continue the way I am right now. I feel like an idiot walking away from a $23.00 an hr job in these times of employment uncertainty but there may not be anther option here.

SHIT!

[seemunkee]

1. Why the job switch

Did something change in the company or did they just decide your experience was needed elsewhere?

[maveric]

2. Things change at any given time there. When training was done they needed

me in production, which is a young mans job. I'm 50 with back and leg/knee problems.
Also there is the possibility that they told what I wanted to hear during pre-employment interviews, just to get in. These are US Govt (Navy) projects and manpower must be maintained at a certain level or the company wont get paid the full amount. This is very common here on the Waterfront.

I hope that will be able to accomodate me tomorrow. If not, then I'll have to resign.

[Benfea]

3. Ask if there's someplace else they can use you.

Your back is worth considerably more than $23/hour.

[maveric]

4. I'm planning on talking to people tomorrow.

To see if they can put me in a non-physical position, like I stated i was seeking. If they can, then I will have to quit. My production will not be what they want and I face the risk of serious injury or death.
This is a very dangerous environment here. People die every year at NASSCO and I dont want to be a statistic of that sort.

[Benfea]

17. Shipyards are dangerous places.

Long ago I had a girlfriend who was an electrician at a shipyard. She got out of there as fast as she could.

[radwriter0555]

5. Report your injury as a work related injury, and they can't fire you and

MUST find other work for you.

It IS a work related injury, regardless of your prior history.

You have the right to work without injury.

They are required to NOT injure you on the job and to employ you in a manner that won't injure you.

Please read up on your rights and HIRE A LAWYER the moment you've filed your WC claim.

[radwriter0555]

6. Here is the number to the best lawyer in CA for Worker's Comp.

Lester Friedman. 310.275.1433.

Call them and ask to speak with someone about your case, right away, BEFORE YOU SPEAK TO YOUR ADVOCATE.

[elehhhhna]

15. DO IT! Do not quit. There are ADA, hiring, and workers comp issues

that may all c ome into play here. DO NOT walk away. Document all med care.

Did they explain this other job possibility when you were hired? Did you divulge a back problem at all during the pre-employment phase?

[LSK]

7. do not continue to work like that

Your health is more important than anything. You have to get another position or you must resign.

Dont think for a second of loosing that pay because your health is more important.

[crispini]

8. Try acupuncture

very good for back pain. And good luck. :hug:

[CabalPowered]

9. Have you tried a lumbar support belt?

I know they look funny but I swear by em'. I also bit bullet and bought a Softub. http://www.softub.com/

The small one plugs into 110 outlet. Very easy to maintain and has a built in ozone generator.

[maveric]

10. Yep. I have one and wear it all the time at work and at home.

I've had two lumbar surgeries allready (Lumbarplasty), and was told by the doctor that with every surgery my back will be weaker and more prone to injury.

This has got me so damn depressed!

[CabalPowered]

11. Could you qualify for disability?

[maveric]

13. I've only been working there for 5 weeks.

And that not what I want. I want to work in the shop or planning like they told me that I would be.

I hate taking disability/unemployment/public assistance. I am capable of doing the other jobs and I'm damn good at them too.

[radwriter0555]

18. They are OBLIGATED to assign you to work that doesn't cause you injury.

Worker's Comp isn't charity or aid, it's what our unions fought for in order to protect us.

[flvegan]

16. What about a weightlifter's belt?

I don't know if it's any better than the industrial ones, but if it's used by guys squatting 700 lbs, it must work somewhat. Just an idea, I don't know, as I don't use one.

[gizmo1979]

12. Where I work,a union shop,

they would have to offer you a different job at similar pay or pay you disability.Why would you quit?Then you would lose insurance along with your pay.Force their hand don't quit.

[Nikia]

14. They are required to pay for treatnent for your injury

Even if you would want to quit, see a doctor on the company bill first.