Need injury advice, bills stacking up!

My place of employment was selected for an award consisiting of a one night trip to Vegas to "run through a warehouse" for prizes. My boss decided to have me go (we are the only two managers here). I told him I really didn't want to go to Vegas and he should go. I know alcohol plus gambling for me equals trouble. I was right and lost money, but that's my fault. He insisted I should go because of me being more physically fit and being able to grab more prizes in the sixty seconds given. I once again said I didn't want to go and he convinced me it was the best idea.

I will admit, it was fun for the first day, even though I lost money at the tables (my fault only). The run for the prizes was on the second and last day on the way to the airport. I got there early in the morning (no drinking since the night before). Half way through my run I took a turn, my knee buckled and I fell to the ground. I finished the run and was then tended to be an onsight EMT. He only gave me an ice pack and said if it caused me problems then to see my doctor at home. I could not walk, but thanks to the good staff of Continential Airlines, I was able to make it through the airports. When I got home I collapsed about a dozen times in the next couple of days days just by trying to bear weight on that one leg. When it happened the second time at work in front of employees, I saw my doctor, had x-rays and an MRI. I need surgery for a badly torn medial meniscus.

Since this was found out, I was put in a knee brace and told to stay off of my feet as much as possible. Because of the holidays, it was about 3 weeks until I could have the surgery. (As of now, I still haven't has the surgery. I go in three days.) Telling my boss, who sent me to Vegas, that I need surgery and cannot be on my feet, I was assured he would make work easier for me to cope with my injury until I could handle normal activities. My work demands me to literally jump out of my chair and run to a customer if needed. (sales manager at a car dealership) My boss did nothing to help. My income is commission based, so I could not afford to let these customers go without manager help if that is what they needed. This caused me to still jump out of my chair, and run to customers. The sales desk where I sit is also elevated about two feet with no step. These actions caused me to suffer more pain than I was already having.

Since, my knee has gotten worse. I feel much more pain and now have a "clicking" in my knee while I walk. I have continued to ask my boss for help so I didn't have to move around so much, but he just stays in his office on you tube and such. He is my friend and I love this company, so I would never want to do anything to hurt them or cost them money. The problem is after insurance, I'm looking at paying upwards of $3000 out of my own pocket. Being in sales and with the slow economy, I frankly don't have it to pay, but I have no choice. The surgery is needed. I'm behind on loan payments from pay doctor bills.

I am wondering since I was not at work, but it was a work function I was told to attend after I expressed no interest, is there any way for work to pay medical bills. Like I said, I don't wan to hurt my employer or cause them to pay anything, but is there some type of insurance employers have for things like this? If so, would a claim increase their premiums or give them some type of black mark?

This is costing money I don't have and my knee is only getting worse by continuing to do my required aggressive work without the help I was told I would have. I even requested to have a step to make it easy to "climb" to my chair on the two foot elevated platform. I was told I can pay for that, but I don't have the money.

I am not "sue happy" and like I said, I don't want to hurt my employer in the slightest bit. Any advice would help. Is there any recouse I would have against the auto manufacturer that awarded the trip? Would there be any recourse possible for the warehouse company that hosted the event. I just need help.

[vk41]

I was injured at work pretty bad. I crushed my ankle. My employer was needless to say not too enthused about my accident and tried to play it off as if nothing had happened. After my surgery, I looked into seeing a lawyer.