To be off sick for 3 weeks following car accident?

[SarahH12]

I've been signed off work now for almost 2 weeks following a high speed car crash. Thankfully nothing was broken but I've got whiplash, bruised ribs and a sprained shoulder. I saw the GP again today who said he thinks it best I be signed off for another week.

I feel bad though as obviously people in work now are having to pick up my slack but I honestly don't feel able to go back with the pain and everything.

AIBU though?

Your GP signed you off, you aren’t skiving.

Are you on heavy painkillers which would make you drowsy at work? I imagine you feel exhausted too. Best to take an extra week off and go back when you are properly able to do your job.

You have been signed off by a medical professional and are in pain, I don't think you are unreasonable to have the time off but I understand why you feel bad if others are picking up your work.

You're not skiving. You had a car accident. Take as long as you need!

A medical professional has deemed it appropriate for you to be off so obviously you need to be, they don’t give out sick notes for nothing.

Yes others will be picking up your work but given the circumstances I think you are well within your rights to be off.

Now go and eat cake or sleep or something....

OP, your health comes first. It’s just a job. I understand your colleagues are picking up your work but these things happen. I’m sure you have covered for them in the past.

In the nicest possible way -nobody is irreplaceable.

I do hope you are having physio.
The quicker you get physio the more likely you are to recover.
If you are claiming from your insurers they will cover the cost.
NHS is pretty useless with whiplash unfortunately.

OP, firstly . Secondly, YANBU. I was in a car accident at the end of March and am still off due to whiplash, concussion plus damage to a slipped disc. I know where you're coming from in terms of work but you can only go back when you feel ready. Look after yourself. X

Thanks all that's made me feel a bit better.

Unfortunately I'm not having physio - blooming NHS.

@Polarbearflavour I was on heavy pain killers but unfortunately I had to stop taking them as I had an adverse reaction. So no pain relief for me except deep heat

@Andromeida59 - I do hope you recover soon! Car accidents are so horrible

A trained medical professional thinks you shouldn't be at work. Relax! Get well soon!

However, I do understand the feeling of guilt when missing work. I've only just recently returned to work after having four weeks off following a miscarriage and subsequent surgery that resulted in complications (infection). I knew I wasn't fit, either mentally or physically, to go in and so did my doctor, but I still felt guilty because we were hideously understaffed as it was.

You're fine! Just focus on getting well

It’s normal to feel bad but you mustn’t . I had 8 weeks after surgery . I am off for 2 days with an infection . We must listen to our bodies . You will have covered for people in the past too I am sure

Re painkillers . You can’t take nothing . What made you react ? Even regular paracetamol and ibuprofen help

Can you afford to pay for some Physio and get on the NHS waiting list ?

Get better

It's worth seeing if there is a "Back to Work" service available OP. Ring the Doctor and ask. There is in GM so I've been able to get access to Phsyio quicker.