On Sept. 20 I was going into work during a windstorm while shopping carts were going everywhere. I tried to catch them to keep anyone from getting hurt when the wind caught me and somehow I shattered the top of my right tibia (large bone in shin) and when I fell I caught with my right hand and broke pinky finger and jammed my right shoulder.
Ambulance was called and was sent to the hospital where I was told the leg was inoperable, was given pain meds, leg stablizer and walker then was sent home to see orhtopedic on Monday morning. (Accident happened on Friday afternoon around 3:00) On Monday morning I was getting ready to go to orthopedic doctor there in Springfield when I got a call from Claims Mngmnt, (Walmart's worker's comp) and was told that I could not see that doctor because he was not worker's comp approved. Betty Miller with claim's mngmnt set up an appointment with approve doctor to be referred to approved orthopedic, alot of running around with shattered leg and in severe pain.
I finally got to see an orthopedic doctor on Tuesday and he set my finger in office and scheduled surgery on Thursday. He was able to get a wheelchair approved.
Surgery on Thursday went well with a plate and 9 screws inserted in leg and few days in the hospital. I had 30 staples for 8 days before removal and the doctor set up enough restrictions so that they would not be able to meet them. Guess what! Yes they met enough to get me back to work 5 days later or lose my job.
So here I am in a wheelchair taking 2 mepergans every 4 hours answering phones and hanging clothes at the fitting room. Not easy with one leg straight out in front of you, hand taped up and on drugs.
Nine months later had to have another surgery to remove plates and screws because of severe pain and then it was found that the cartlidge in my right knee was "ripped almost in 2." Still in wheelchair— no weight bearing at all for nearly 6 months, then no weight bearing for several more months.
After several rounds with Betty Miller of claims mngmnt in Ark., I finally contacted an attorney just for my rights to not be treated like *^$%. I went to the GM of our store, Greg Lee, for assistance in dealing with her and got his same answer that he gives for eveything "I'll check into it" never with any answers on it.
The attorney I contacted let Walmart know that he was representing me and THEY FILED SUIT AGAINST ME. If you think it can't happen like that, think again! Since I lived in 1 county and the incident happened in another county, it could go throught either so in a matter of days I was served with papers.
We battled and battled.in February we settled. For 18% permanent disablity right leg, 12% permanent disablity on right hand (because of where break was) and 5% permanent disabilty total body, (which they refused to acknowledge) I walked away with less than what middle class american makes in one year.
The harrassment started as soon as the settlement papers were signed. Hours jerked around, put on jobs that they knew I could not do because of shoulder injuries, was written up for not being able to do those jobs, was told that it was a safety issue that I was not able to it, was given a "D-DAY" for attendance with doctor's statements on injuries that I was required to do to keep my job andand was finally terminated for attendance with doctor's statements on injuries from there.
I did get lifetime medical on injuries from that incident, but now a year later, not being able to find and job and I'm sure they know the financial stress Claim's Mngment has sent me 2 letters that they are "willing to offer me $2,500 to close out all future medical".
They know as well as I know that I am looking at a total knee replacement in the future.in my doctor's words "hopefully later rather than sooner". At my age they won't even think about it now because I would be looking at 2-4 replacements. I am 39 yrs old.
If you or someone you know and love works there please get them out if possible for their future. Don't end up like me and several others that have been injured there and thrown out when you are no longer useful to them.
Everything I have put here can be backed up with documents.
Christie
Cross Plains, Tennessee
U.S.A.
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