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Doctor advised me to go back to work while I can't

Daily_Dose
Community Member

Hi, this is my first time seeking for help on a forum. Any advices is appreciated or it's good writing out to reduce my stress.

I had an accident doing farm work almost 6 months ago, that cut off half of my finger’s nail and a bit finger bone. I will skip a very stressful story with a lot of tears with the treatment process here.

I had been paid by Workcover until a week ago my doctor advised me to return to work. The thing is somehow I have been recovering so slowly, it's still an open wound which I think takes 2 more months to be fully healed. I raised my concern to my doctor that I don't think I can work while the wound is still open and could bleed anytime, but he insisted that I can return to work.

I am still living in the farm that I worked for before the accident. With lots of bad things happened recently, I am so vulnerable that I cannot leave my friends here to move anywhere else alone. But obviously, I cannot work there with this open wound, it’s a potato farm, everything I touch there's dirt. My supervisor doesn't think I can work with this situation, my employer thinks it's fine. But eventually it's my finger, not anyone else, I think I'd better to find other job. I got infected and took 4 rounds of antibiotics for 40 days with it, so I don't want to take any risk.

Workcover stopped paying me, so I am looking for jobs in hospitality which I think could be better for my condition than farm work. I have several offers but they all ask to wait until my wound is fully recovered. In the meantime, I watch Youtube videos about the jobs that I think I am capable to do, but I don't think I can do it. The wound is still sore if I carelessly touch something.

I really don't know what to do next. I am here with working holiday visa and cannot go home yet.

3 Replies 3

hawaiian_robot
Community Member
Hi DD, sorry about the situation you're in at the moment. While I'm not able to do anything about it, I'd like to offer some sympathy about what's going on, let you know that you're being noticed.

CalmCat
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Daily Dose,

Welcome to the forum and I'm so sorry to hear what you've been going through.

It sounds like you are on the right track looking for another job, are you able to move to a city where there is more employment available?

Regarding your wound, see what your doctor says to allow it to heal as best as possible. You wouldn't want any further infection to happen.

If you need to talk with someone give Beyond Blue a call, sometime its help to talk with someone 1300 22 4636.

Let us know how you go and stay strong.

Regards,

CC

MikeSydney
Community Member
Why did workcover stop paying you. Im off work for 10 months on full pay witha shoulder injury.