I'm a commercial driver who injured her right hand at home months ago. It was to the point of losing the ability to write. I figured that was what the other arm was for, so I write and have been doing 90 percent with my left.
I drive primarily with my left hand anyway, so I figured it would be fine.
Well months later, it finally broke and I was at work. Pain went all the way down the left arm, up to the head, neck, and into the chest. I have tingling in the fingers.
Basically, I can still drive, but I can't reach upward without pain and weakness in now both arms, so I drive like a little t-rex with my hands at the bottom of the wheel. I also have a really hard time turning my neck.
I saw a doctor and she said it sounded like carpel tunnel from work. She said it sounded like a worksmans comp type of situation.
I was thinking of taking off a week without pay, since my vacation is next week. This will give me two weeks off to heal. If I'm not better or need surgery, I'll have to file workman's comp, anyway.
I've never done a workman's comp claim before and am very nervous to step in that direction.
Can anyone advise on what the best action is?
Take off a week without pay, plus a week of vacay, then check to see if I still need workman's comp?
Or start my workman's comp now?