FLT ATTENDANT RPT; B767-200; ORD-ZRH; MALFUNCTIONING CART; TURB; AND FLT ATTENDANT INJURY.

Narrative

AFTER A CAPT'S PA; STATED TURB WAS EXPECTED IN 10 MINS; I PROCEEDED TO PUSH MY CART TOWARD THE BUSINESS CLASS GALLEY; WHICH IS FAR AFT OF THE BUSINESS CLASS CABIN. AS MOST OF OUR SVC CARTS ARE ILL-REPAIRED; I HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH MINE ALL ALONG. THE TURB CAME IMMEDIATELY -- NOT IN 10 MINS AS HOPED; AND I WAS THROWN OFF BAL WHILE PUSHING MY CART. I TORE MUSCLES IN MY L SHOULDER AND NECK; HAD AN IMPINGED C-7 NERVE WITH HAND AND ARM NUMBNESS; SEVERE MUSCLE SPASM IN L SHOULDER; L CHEST; L BACK; SEPARATED THE SCAPULA FROM THE RIB CAGE; ETC. HAD EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND STILL HAVE THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND LIMITED USE. TURB IS ENOUGH FOR CABIN CREWS TO DEAL WITH; WITHOUT HAVING DEFECTIVE EQUIP TO DEAL WITH; TOO. THERE ARE NO PROTECTIONS FOR US FROM LAX MAINT STANDARDS ON CABIN EQUIP. WE ALSO SELDOM RECEIVE ADEQUATE WARNING; IF ANY WARNING AT ALL; OF EXPECTED TURB; EVEN THOUGH THE COCKPIT IS INSTRUCTED TO INFORM US. I HAVE OFTEN WITNESSED; WHILE IN THE COCKPIT; WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE UPCOMING TURB FROM OTHER ACFT; GO UNHEEDED (NOT DISSEMINATED TO THE CABIN). HOWEVER; I DO FEEL I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED IF THE FAULTY CART HAD NOT BEEN IN THE FORMULA. WE NEED PROTECTION FROM OUR OWN COMPANIES.