Traumatic Anniverary/No Justice

Chronic Pain
#1

Well, it has been seven years now that I was fired from my 15 year job as a RN at a hospital in Rockville, MD, and I have nightmares to this day.

My depression was getting worse, and I didn’t even realize it. I could get NO help from anyone when I was fired in June of 2000. After I admitted my depression, things became immediately worse for me. My head nurse got permission to speak with my shrink, to know my medicines, etc. I filed a complaint with the EEOC, and they never got back to me. I could never get money after being fired either, as it was,",my fault,". I just feel I was shafted.

I know I made mistakes, but my depression was to blame. I looked for 16 weeks for work, and never found anything, and felt I was being black balled by the hospital that I worked for for 15 years.

Is there anything I can do now? It isn’t fair the way I was treated. I had a lawsuit in which I did everything right, and I was NEVER thanked by the hospital! I never got to say goodbye to the nurses I worked with either! None of the things I did right ever got noticed, only the mistakes.

I have never felt so ashamed, humiliated. And I know many other nurses got fired, as I saw proof of this. I feel I was discriminated against because of my depression. I would just like to get revenge on them. No lawyer is interested. Someone said if I could prove they were doing this,“blackballing,” I could sue for emotional and punitive damages. I did not have money then to see a disability lawyer.

If anyone has been through this and had resolution I would like to know. The only thing I am thinking of doing is hiring a private investigator for them.

Do you think it is worth it? I would like to get back at them for my pain & suffering!! As it is still ongoing! The State Board of Nursing would side with the hospital! They would do nothing either! I have a lot of trouble letting things go!

Sincerely,
Catfish

#2

In this day and age, they have time limits set to everything, and, while I am unsure of the laws in your state, I wonder whether they would even consider a lawsuit after seven years? I do not know.

Lawsuits are not only very expensive and time-consuming, they can also overtake and ruin your life. I would not like to see that happen to you.

You have had a lot of loss and suffering in your life, and you cannot get the time back that we all probably wish we could. However, and I do not say this lightly or facetiously, perhaps with counseling and help you can live out the rest of your life in a better place? It’s hard to let things go, but once we learn the tools to use, it can be life-saving.

I worry for you that the past is ruining your present and that is something that likely a lot of us have gone or are going through.

I wish for you a return to good health and happiness, and a resolution to past misdeeds against you. Take care.

#3

As “timetoheal” said, i’m not sure what the “statue of limitations” is for state of federal EEOC/discrimination.

Have you into using ADA as your basis? Again, I don’t know how you can wait after the event.

Have you looked specifically for an “emploment lawyer”? they are the ones to most likely take your case. IMO, I don’t think a private investigator would be of any help – the lawyer is the key part.

Of course I don’t where you could start finding an employment law specialist, , maybe you can look into some state, county, or local agencies that offer job-related services. Sometimes there are “Legal Aid” agencies. I don’t have a clue what they would be called in Maryland – I’m on the “other” coast

And I know that trying to get ANYTHING through EEOC is really difficult without a specialist to deal with all the legal junk,

However, i’m pretty sure that you’re doctors records are private. And NO ONE has the legal right to dig into that kind of information without your EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION. If nothing else, it seems your doctor definitely violated that!

Of course, i can’t remember when ADA was passed. which would determine if you’re covered or not. I’ll try to look in up and post again if I find it soon.

I found a lot of info about ADA / EEOC on the “about.com” site. Here’s the link to the info from the bipolar section:

http://bipolar.about.com/od/legalissues/Legal_Issues.htm

I don’t think it really matters, the basic info is the same. there may be some stuff under depression, I can’t remember.

Maybe the first step to find out if you have any recourse after 7 years. Then when you get a feeling for how much time it will take, you can decide.

There’s an old saying something about “Revenge tasting better when it’s served cold” meaning when the heat of passion is gone. Again, that’s a decision only you can make.

#4

here’s the link to the ADA information.

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/

#5

Thanks for all who wrote. I did see an employment lawyer. She said I had no case. But about people who have medical procedures done as infants that sue when they are adults? They sue successfully, and I can’t do anything according to the damned EEOC! When does the government do anything to help anyone? They never even wrote me back. The systems in place DO NOTHING! to help you. And according to them it has been too long! I just don’t accept that. There has got to be a way around the stupid so called systems. A lawyer can be wrong as well. I have read alot. And I did not know I was disabled then. I should have seen a disability lawyer, but I did not know I was disabled at that point. So where does that leave me? No where. I do have the option of private investigation by a lawyer. I don’t know how much that will cost. I guess there is no justice in this world. Nurses are treated horrible anyway by hospitals. They don’t help you, they get rid of you! I worked for this hospital for 15 years! Of course if I mention the name of that hospital and tell the truth about how I was treated, I would get slapped with a slander suit!
Sincerely,
Catfish