Alegant Nurse and Injury Lawyer Blog

Easy Does It!

2012-01-06T12:24:00.001-05:00

Between home responsibilities and working in a demanding and serious profession like nursing, many of us are stretched thin. We find ourselves spending our days frustrated, angry and tense as a result. When you are stressed at home, that tension carries over to your job – and vice versa, which is not good for your health. To actually succeed in both areas, it is vital to ask for help.

Laundry. Dinner. Lunches. Cleaning. Paying bills. Maintaining vehicles. Checking homework. Making appointments. Commuting. We are expected to handle all of this while dealing with equally stressful circumstances at work, during long shifts – many times on our feet.

Help is out there – and in many ways it’s closer than you think:

Spouse – Get your husband (or wife) off the couch, away from the computer or out of the garage and get him to pick up a mop. It will cut back on your daily tasks and help your relationship infinitely.

Kids – Children are often an untapped resource. Having them help at home will benefit them as well – teaching responsibility, humility and appreciation. Get them to turn off TV, computer and cell phones.

Family – Just as you extend yourself to help family, be sure you ask them to return the favor. Trade services and assist with one another’s lives.

Hire Help –Hiring someone to help with housework may seem like an extreme luxury. If you do the math, most often you’ll see it is affordable and the price is certainly worth it. If money is a concern, think of ways you can cut back in other areas to finance the expense.

There are lots of other ways to get help. You just need to be creative. I've heard of friends getting together and swapping work parties at each others' houses. Automating tasks like bill paying can be time savers as well. If you are open to change, you can create a little time here and a little time there, and it will all add up to a significant amount.

Learning From Experience

2011-12-06T12:05:00.002-05:00

Joanna is the type of nurse every hospital wants and needs. A dedicated individual who describes the vocation as a calling and not a career, Joanna has over 20 years’ experience in departments as diverse as pediatric, critical care, rehabilitation and even emergency care. With a true passion for her work and helping people, she was often awarded and recognized for her outstanding work ethic and the quality of care she provided. Joanna should be a nurse in high demand who gets to reap the rewards of a career steeped in excellence. Then why when asked what she does for a living is she forced to reply, “Until recently, I was a nurse,” with a pause and a sorrowful sigh?

Since multiple work-related back injuries have made it impossible for her to continue, Joanna is now a nurse in transition. In addition to her livelihood, these injuries have affected her ability to do housework, carry groceries and even play with her grandson. There are a staggering number like her.

In a recent focus group, of the nurses participating, nine out of 10 had experienced an injury, and only one had subsequently sought workman’s compensation about it. The others, like Joanna, just dealt with it – until it was no longer bearable to do so. For many – in this industry and even in day-to-day life across the country – we fear asking for help is a sign of weakness. Acquiring help does not make us “lesser than,” and, in fact, it usually brings greater success along with it.

Due to her situation, Joanna has a great deal of insight in the industry, suggesting that you shouldn’t skimp on resources when it comes to your body – especially the vulnerable areas like your back and wrist. Even in an emergency situation, be mindful, speak up and ask for help. Two of Joanna’s injuries occurred during two emergency situations where she needed to move a patient and did not receive the proper support she needed.

No matter the department and situation, be aware of your limits and use tools available to you. Before engaging in any action, take a deep breath and ask yourself what you need to do and how to do it safely for your body and in the very best interest of your patient. Utilize lifting devices or enlist additional nurses to give a hand. If additional staff is not available, this needs to be brought to the attention of your supervisor, who can re-evaluate the staffing situation so no one’s body is at risk.

Above all, be an advocate for your own well-being and for that of others. If we all work together, we can make our shifts safer, our rounds more efficient and our patients’ stays as peaceful and positive as they can be. Speak up when you need help. If we all take action, we can elicit real change.

If the above story sounds all too familiar to you, and you or someone you care about has been hurt on the job in a work related accident, be sure you know your rights and are covered; contact Kimberly Ruch-Alegant, attorney and President of Alegant Law, P.C. for a free consultation today. Kim is dedicated to representing people who have been injured at work or as a result of an accident and specializes in incidents experienced by health care professionals.

How To Be An Advocate For Your Own Wellbeing

2011-11-14T14:04:00.000-05:00

As a nurse or a nurse’s aide, I know you work hard every day taking care of your patients. But do you take care of yourself? Don’t wait until you are injured on the job to start taking care of yourself. Yes, I know your job is to help the patients as much as you can. But you can’t help them if you’re hurt, can you? So be sure to speak up when you need help to care for a patient. Hospitals are understaffed. Again, I know. But they’ll have even less people if the staff keep injuring themselves trying to do their jobs with insufficient assistance. If you need help lifting a patient, don’t let that doctor bully you into doing it by yourself. Get the help you need. You know what they say: the best defense is a good offense.

Now how about your home life. Are you feeling as overworked at home as you are at work? Well, that’s not good for your health, is it? Make some changes to get the help you need at home. When you are stressed at home, you are stressed at work. There’s no denying it. We try to leave work at work and home at home, but it doesn’t always happen, does it? If you leave the house angry or stressed, you’re going to show up at work angry or stressed (unless you learn some techniques to relax during your commute, of course). Figure out a way to get some help at home. Kick that lazy husband in the buttocks, get those kids away from the computer. Worst comes to worst, tell your lazy husband you are going to hire a cleaning lady to help you. Maybe that will get his butt in gear.

More about the home life, and taking care of yourself. You would agree that strong healthy bodies don’t get hurt as easily, right? And if they do they hurt, a strong body heals quicker and easier, right? So make sure you are eating right to stay healthy, exercising to de-stress, and getting as much sleep as possible for healing and restoration. (I won’t say “enough” sleep, because I’m sure that won’t happen) Your beauty rest should take precedence of a dirty kitchen any day.

Now, you can get back to work! :)

If you have been injured on the job and need help, click here to contact Alegant Law.

Work Should Not Hurt

2011-11-14T14:02:00.002-05:00

Nurses are injured on the job more than any other profession. Besides the obvious lifting heavy patients and dealing with the public, why is that? Could one of the reasons be because nurses can be reluctant to cause a fuss by reporting problems on the job? Maybe people who report problems are branded as trouble makers. That could dissuade a person from reporting problems. Look at what is happening at Temple, where the nurses are standing up for themselves!

But reporting issues does not have to lead to a strike, of course. Reporting issues is important for several reasons. When you report issues, preferably in writing and with a suggest solution, you are notifying your employer that there is a problem. The employer then has to make a decision about how to address the issue. One form of “addressing” it could be doing nothing. But at least they have been put on notice that there is an issue, and cannot blame you if you are subsequently injured because of the issue you reported. Related to that, you are entitled to workers’ compensation even if you are injured doing something that is your own fault. Fault does not come into play with workers’ compensation.

Nursing jobs are very repetitive, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries. These are work injuries. An injury does not have to be from a traumatic event. A work related injury can be as a result of repetition, and such injuries are compensable. Don’t assume that just because repetition “comes with the territory” that means that you are not entitled to receive workers’ compensation. To avoid these injuries, vary the method you use to do your tasks as much as possible, and practice proper body mechanics.

Finally, to avoid injury, pay close attention to what your body is telling you. Avoid taking pain killers to mask symptoms and using other drugs like caffeine and nicotine to keep you going when your batteries have run out. As you are well aware, the lives of your patients are in your hands. You need to take care of yourself and be functioning at your best when you are at work. Make sure you have had enough sleep when you arrive at work. Listen to what your body is telling you throughout your shift. Take short breaks to rest when necessary. A short break will make you more productive and safety conscious over the course of the day as opposed to constantly running when you are already exhausted, and making mistakes resulting in injuries to yourself or your patients.

Healer, heal thyself! (or better yet, take care of thyself)

If you or anyone you know is suffering as a result of a repetitive stress work injury, please call me for a free consultation.

Welcome to Our New Associate Amy Schmitt

2010-07-06T22:16:00.000-04:00

We would like to welcome Amy Schmitt to the firm! She is a recent Drexel Law graduate and wants to specialize mainly in Medical Malpractice cases. However, she will accept all types of injury cases, including work injuries!

Temple University Nursing Strike in Philadelphia PA

2010-04-26T11:39:00.002-04:00

Have you been following the strike coverage? Here's a great website keep on top of what's going on. http://templewatch.org/ Looks like negotiating has started up again today. Hopefully this will get resolved soon, so everyone can get back to work and doing what they love-caring for patients.

Do Nurses Like Yoga?

2010-04-19T16:32:00.000-04:00

I went to a great yoga class this morning and it made me wonder whether nurses like yoga. I mean, I'm a personal injury lawyer and I like yoga, so why not nurses? It is such a great way to relieve stress. And it is amazing how good it feels to lay still and relax on a hardwood floor after an hour or so of wrapping yourself up like a pretzel! I think if I tried that at home without the yoga, I really would not enjoy it. I am more flexible now than I was in my 20s and can do headstands and handstands I couldn't do as a kid. So, do any nurses go to yoga?

Kim Ruch-Alegant, Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your friends or family need a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer, contact me at 215-354-0057, or visit my website at www.alegantlaw.com

Work Should Not Hurt

2010-04-14T14:26:00.000-04:00

Work Should Not Hurt by Kimberly Ruch-Alegant, Esq., Alegant Law, P.C.

Nurses are injured on the job more than any other profession. Besides the obvious lifting heavy patients and dealing with the public, why is that? Could one of the reasons be because nurses can be reluctant to cause a fuss by reporting problems on the job? Maybe people who report problems are branded as trouble makers. That could dissuade a person from reporting problems. Look at what is happening at Temple, where the nurses are standing up for themselves!

But reporting issues does not have to lead to a strike, of course. Reporting issues is important for several reasons. When you report issues, preferably in writing and with a suggest solution, you are notifying your employer that there is a problem. The employer then has to make a decision about how to address the issue. One form of “addressing” it could be doing nothing. But at least they have been put on notice that there is an issue, and cannot blame you if you are subsequently injured because of the issue you reported. Related to that, you are entitled to workers’ compensation even if you are injured doing something that is your own fault. Fault does not come into play with workers’ compensation.

Nursing jobs are very repetitive, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries. These are work injuries. An injury does not have to be from a traumatic event. A work related injury can be as a result of repetition, and such injuries are compensable. Don’t assume that just because repetition “comes with the territory” that means that you are not entitled to receive workers’ compensation. To avoid these injuries, vary the method you use to do your tasks as much as possible, and practice proper body mechanics.

Finally, to avoid injury, pay close attention to what your body is telling you. Avoid taking pain killers to mask symptoms and using other drugs like caffeine and nicotine to keep you going when your batteries have run out. As you are well aware, the lives of your patients are in your hands. You need to take care of yourself and be functioning at your best when you are at work. Make sure you have had enough sleep when you arrive at work. Listen to what your body is telling you throughout your shift. Take short breaks to rest when necessary. A short break will make you more productive and safety conscious over the course of the day as opposed to constantly running when you are already exhausted, and making mistakes resulting in injuries to yourself or your patients.

Healer, heal thyself! (or better yet, take care of thyself)

If you or anyone you know is suffering as a result of a repetitive stress work injury, please email or call me at 215-354-0057 for a free consultation. Representing injured workers in the greater Philadelphia area.

We specialize in representing nurses

2010-03-17T14:55:00.000-04:00

We have decided to specialize our practice in representing nurses, nurses aides, and other health care workers. We are now doing informational interviews to learn more about the issues nurses and nurse's aides are facing on the job. You can go to our website (scroll to the bottom) and listen to our Ben FM commercial regarding nurses. Call us if you want to be interviewed! Or if you're injured, click here for information, and please call us for assistance.

Happy New Year! Be safe.

2010-01-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

I am never happy when someone is in an accident and has to file a car crash claim. But, if someone needs a personal injury lawyer, it may as well be me! Owning a small injury law firm means that I work with each of my clients individually. I work to achieve the best possible outcome of each case, whether that means settling before court or filing a law suit. So trust me, a caring female personal injury attorney (there are not a lot of us) to get you the best results I can on your case. Call me for a free consultation at 215-354-0057.

Welcome to the Alegant Law Blog!

2009-11-04T12:17:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our blog! We will be writing about trends and what's going on in. If you need advice on what coverage you should have on your car or what to do if you are injured at work, please check out our website.