Had two-drop load out of Ashboro, NC, to first drop, Roanoke, VA, second drop Johnson City, TN, unloading furniture, delivering company would not provide help due to insurance purposes. Had 5 sofas on end, loading company put sofa bed (full size) on top. Upon pulling sofa bed down, fell down on my head. Called from Roanoke to inform company that I have been injured. With no feeling in right arm they told me to drop Johnson City and call.
Called from Johnson City, head dispatcher told me had hot warehouser load that had to be picked up and delivered from Charlotte to Knoxville before I could seek medical attention. Felt did not have a choice, found help to drop and hook trailer, took to Knoxville. Parked truck. Safety department sent me to walk in clinic, where the attending physician prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers for 3 months.
Had to retain services of lawyer who had me in to see a neurosurgeon within ten days. Neurosurgeon says I had a pinched nerve in my neck. Surgery within 3 weeks to remove C5 disc. Now I will never drive commercially again and whether I work again period is up in the air. Feel that with proper injury procedure a lot of this could have been avoided as the doctor has told me that a lot of my problem is because I had to wait so long to have that disc removed.
Have talked to several Teton drivers that have told me pretty much the same thing in different capacities (eyes, hands, knees, feet).
Bryan
Philadelphia, Tennessee
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