Pregnant - Slip and Fall at Work?

I slipped on some ice in the parking lot at work and I am 30 weeks pregnant and fell forward on my stomach. I wasn't sure at first but I did catch a bit of my body with my elbows and knees - I was so scared when it happened I just laid out there and cried. A co-worker and my boss came to my aid. I then called my dr and was instructed to go to the hospital for observation. When I got there I was having reg contractions every 3 mins - not painful; whereas I had them before but irregular. So I stayed in the hosp for 12 hrs until my contractions settled down. My issue is that I am scared to go to work - it would be different if I was not pregnant - but I have to be concerned for another life. My work does not believe in salting the parking lot. I told my boss my feelings and she has said they will have someone escort me into the bldg, which I find humiliating - I just want them to salt the lot. I don't know if I can file wrkr comp or what? Any advice would be helpful???
Additional Details
I do not want them to salt the lot just for me. I am concerned about others too - several employees have slipped and fallen on the lot and complained. I am just the first to have had to go to the hospital. My point is that I do not want special accomadations. I want them to do what is right for their employees.

chatsplas

I'm sure your fall was a horrible experience for you. And the fears for your child and the hospitalization weren't fun either. Take up their offer of an escort, and don't be humiliated. You're doing this for your baby. Don't go searching for reasons and excuses NOT to return to work. Get back to work, and keep going so that you have benefits for yourself and child. Delaying may just make it harder to go back. Luckily this season of ice and snow is almost over. It's been a horrid year for ice!

You really don't have a legal case since they have offered reasonable accomodations. Reasonable accomodations doesn't mean they have to do what YOU want. Salt it yourself if they won't and you feel that strongly about it!

Your hospitalization will be covered as a work related injury, but refusing to return to work will not be covered. They are making accomodations by offering to have you escorted. Take them up on it.

infernowolf36

you could fill a large cup of salt and salt a pathway for yourself?

it sounds mean to not salt the lot for you, but if they don't usually salt the lot, they aren't going to do it for one person.

beez

Companies usually will not salt a sidewalk or parking lot because then they are responsible if someone falls and gets injured, according to the law. If you want to continue working and want you and your child-to-be safe, forget about humiliation and allow people to escort you.

Judy

You can file for workers comp, but it's very unlikely that you'd get it. It doesn't sound like there's a medical reason for you to be off work.

Good luck.

john c

There is a bit of contradiction here. You cite a responsibility for your child and then mention how vanity gets in the way of a reasonable offer of assistance they are not required to make.

Unfortunately, regardless of your current situation, getting to work is your responsibility and ice is probably a routine seasonal occurrence where you live. You only have two options and the doctor's Hippocratic concern for your child is not binding on the company. That's why it is called a doctor's excuse. It is unlikely they will view this as a reason not to work.

Millions of women go through this same thing every day. Accept the offer, take your time and don't go out for lunch until spring. Good luck to all three of you.

Andy G {Join The Resistance}

Currently, there are no federal laws (maybe state laws) that require employers to make accommodations for pregnant women. Also, in regards to worker's compensation it probably would not be considered by your employer's insurance because it happened while you were off the clock.

If you are very concerned about working in your condition, talk to your HR dept about FMLA Leave (Family Medical Leave Act) If you have more than 1 year working for the company and there are more than 50 employees you could take up to 12 weeks of leave to care for your child. This ensures that your job is protected, salary and schedule.

At least your employer did offer to have someone escort you and a lot of HR personnel see that as a reasonable accommodation.

Good luck

Miss M

first of all, all other things being equal...it's unreasonable of you to expect that your work should salt their lot solely because you'd be embarrassed to have an escort. that's silly.

but. isn't it the law that they eliminate ice from their lot?

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