Injured at work
Im a 31 year old female barista who was diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis (slippage of one of my lowest vertebra over another/ spinal osteoarthritis?) when I was 16. This was the result of spondylolysis, where I developed a random pressure fracture in my back (possibly due to skiing?) and had to wear a back brace for many months.
My mom's entire family has a history of degenerative and misaligned spins. My grandma had severe scoliosis and spinal degeneration. My mom also has this, and has undergone 4 major surgeries to-date to avoid a wheelchair. Personally, I suffer back pain frequently. The fact that my bottom vertebrae sit too far forward on my pelvis is recorded in multiple xrays taken over the last 15 years.
I work at a store that involves significant daily heavy lifting that was not outlined in my contract or job description. I recently felt a pop when I lifted something very heavy (as I had been doing for the past half hour prior to this). Since then, I have an insane pain in my lower right back, which my friend is convinced is my SI muscle hurting.
My question is this: What are my rights here? (I live in Switzerland).
To clarify, I am seeing a doctor on Monday. I have told my boss repeatedly that I am not supposed to lift heavy things, as per my deformity and doctor recommendations. I was told by my shift supervisor, who knows of my issues, to suck it up and just lift the things. On the day I was injured, I SPECIFICALLY said I was in pain but was told to continue working anyway. Now Im in so much pain it hurts to stand, sit, lie down, exist...
Posted Oct 13, 2023, 10:22 PM UTC