Geelong woman suffers incontinence after work injury

A young Geelong woman is pursuing legal action after “shocking” workplace injuries allegedly left her suffering incontinence.

Lawyer Audrey Gunn. Picture: Supplied

A Geelong woman alleges she suffered a back injury at work which led to incontinence and terrible pain.

Slater and Gordon Geelong workers compensation associate Audrey Gunn is investigating the woman’s legal rights following the injury.

The 33-year-old step mum, who asked to remain anonymous, was moving boxes from a trolley to a conveyor belt at her Geelong workplace when she injured her back in November 2021.

“I went to my GP that night, who said I should go on light duties if the pins and needles returned,” she said.

“I went back to work and the pain was increasing.

“My employer took me off light duties and put me back on the floor as they were busy and needed staff.”

A CT scan showed a bulging disc with nerve contact, requiring an epidural and physiotherapy.

“After that I ended up in the emergency department twice suffering incontinence and pain,” the woman said.

“It was a six month wait before I could have the surgery.”

“No pain relief has really worked that much for me and I recently had another pain relief procedure.

“My life went from a normal and very active family life to having to adapt to living in pain and with restrictions.”

It’s understood WorkSafe has accepted a claim from the woman and Slater and Gordon is now pursuing personal injury action.

“This worker’s injury has involved serious pain, loss of bladder control and nerve root impingements,” Ms Gunn said.

“These injuries have been shocking and debilitating, especially for a person in their early 30s.

“There’s occupational health and safety standards that businesses must comply with to prevent musculoskeletal injuries like this.

“There needs to be assessment of the work to determine the level of risk or hazard and the workplace needs to put measures in place to prevent injuries of this kind.”

Ms Gunn said she had noticed a rise in inquiries related to serious workplace injuries in the last year or so.

She said people injured at work were often hesitant to investigate their legal rights and ensure their employer was assisting them to make a workers compensation claim.

As at March 29, WorkSafe had accepted 993 injury claims in Greater Geelong for 2022, 1079 for 2021 and 942 for 2020.

Originally published as Geelong woman suffers incontinence after work injury