medical leave of absence (financial ressource while on med. leave)

I am a table game dealer around xmas time they open a new pit with new tables (table layout placed further away then normal( been dealing over 20 yrs with no medical issues ever happen) i was to deal on new table then after 2 hours of dealing i came to a point that i could not move my right arm no more. Never file a work compensation or file injury at work form.. but been seeing a doctor since then with cortisone injection and pain pills. and still in terrible pain that some time can stop me from able to move my back.. I been diagnose with chronic back pain since the incident. Back not doing better. I am thinking of having to take medical leave to try to fix the problem and give a rest to my back. Since i wont receive any pay during that period I would like to know if I can file for unemployemnt during this period. Many other employee are complaining about the problem (they are not complaining to the right person about the layouts problem cause afraid of loosing their job) I never file work compensation myself afraid of loosing my job and no financial income while case is been studying.