Injury claim from employer

Mandzhalas

Hello everyone
SHORT VERSION:
Started new job in January. Lots of repetitive movement everyday and started feeling shoulder pain. Two weeks later i was fired with no reason explained. Over next 9 months i had countless treatments with 4 different physio's, and have spent fair bit of money on them. During that time i am not able to undertake any physical activity or find new job because of shoulder pain.


LONG VERSION:
I have started in new job this January. Work was for public water meter installations and I was hired as labourer/concrete finisher. Job itself was very hard going- for first week have spent digging holes with shovel. Repetitive movements all day(10-12 hours). I have started feeling muscle pain in my shoulder by the end of first week. Don't get me wrong- I was in very similar job for last 8 years, so I am well used to shovelling and demanding labour, so pain was not because of week muscles...
On the second week my work mostly involved concrete finishing. Because concrete is on the ground level I had to kneel on my knees and brace my body with left hand, while i am working with my right one on the concrete. Again,for whole day.
Everyday pain got worse and worse in my left shoulder. Almost unbereable at times. I kept it all to myself, because I am there only for two weeks- I didnt want to get fired because I am weakest link.

Than at the end of week 3 my foreman delivered news that I am fired.When i asked why, he replied that he was asked by boss to tell me and he does not understand why I got let go. I was actually happy enough, because that meant I will get time to get my shoulder better.

I have decided to take next two weeks handy and let my shoulder to heal. So basicly I have spent next two weeks lying in my bed. Paint didn't go away.
I have decided that is best to look for specialist help. I have went to private physiotherapist and he started treating me. 2 sessions a week- 35 euro each. In mean time I have went to my GP so he would send me to public and free(i have medical card) physio. I was told that waiting list is 6 months.
After few weeks with private physio pain got about 70% better, but it was strong enough to prevent me undertake physical activities. Physio said that pain most likely due to excesive repetitive movement.
I forgot to mention that in mean time i have started 4 months marketing course to reskil myself .
Anyway after finishing with physio 1, I have went to physio 2, because he has reputation of being best in south east. 2 sessions there at 50 euro each. Pain is no better.
At this stage I have actually started struggle with my finances and could not afford private physio anymore. Lucky enough i got phone call about month later from public physio inviting my for appointment. About 10 sesions there and pain probably got worst. She was not good in fairness. She said that she have run out of ideas and I should get x-ray. Which i did.
Pain was so bad, that I got no choice but go to private physio while waiting on my x-ray results.That is physio 4. Nearly 10 sesions there with pain only getting worse.Got x-ray back, with no problem found. Physio said that further treatment is pointless because nothing works on me and i should get MRI scan. That will cost me 250 euro, and i cant afford it. Also i was notified that i do I might need surgery too in worst case scenario...:eek:

CAN CLAIM FOR INJURY 10 MONTHS LATER?

Little CuChulainn

Can you lodge a claim? Yes.

Will you be successful? See a solicitor.

Pat Mustard

Mandzhalas wrote: »

CAN CLAIM FOR INJURY 10 MONTHS LATER?

Let's put it this way: don't wait any longer.

You should go to your solicitor as soon as possible next week.

Mandzhalas

The Mustard wrote: »

Let's put it this way: don't wait any longer.

You should go to your GP as soon as possible on Monday and then straight in to see your solicitor afterwards.

Not sure I can afford solicitor right now.
How much should I espect to pay for a consultation?

Pat Mustard

Mandzhalas wrote: »

Not sure I can afford solicitor right now.
How much should I espect to pay for a consultation?

I don't mean this in a smart aleccy kinda way, but it sounds to me like you can't afford not to.

You'll have to check for yourself, but many solicitors do not charge for a first consultation in relation to personal injury matters.

Mandzhalas

Thank you very much for your replies
Last question: In my case, am i better of going solicitor or injuries board route?

Pat Mustard

Mandzhalas wrote: »

Thank you very much for your replies
Last question: In my case, am i better of going solicitor or injuries board route?

You will have to go through the Injuries Board anyway. There will be people who will advise you to go it alone. You will be able to do the paperwork alright, but you won't know the value of your claim. The respondent/insurance company will attempt to take full advantage, to lowball you.

I would say that you should definitely hire a solicitor at this stage.

goz83

You may find it beneficial to find a solicitor who offers a no win no fee deal. Ring around and find out.

atheist

Go to
http://www.injuriesboard.ie/eng/
and start an new claim, getting medical reports a.s.a.p.

salamanca22

goz83 wrote: »

You may find it beneficial to find a solicitor who offers a no win no fee deal. Ring around and find out.

Please note though that is just the solicitors fee. You will still need to pay expenses such as doctors reports if you are not successful in your claim OP. However, my opinion is that yes, you should see a solicitor ASAP.

goz83

salamanca22 wrote: »

Please note though that is just the solicitors fee. You will still need to pay expenses such as doctors reports if you are not successful in your claim OP. However, my opinion is that yes, you should see a solicitor ASAP.

Also worth noting that a solicitor won't touch the case on a no win no fee basis unless the case is strong. So if it is taken on, your chances are good. Keep all receipts and information related to the injury and they can be claimed back. The legal fees are paid from the compensation unless the case ends up in court.