Michael DiRubio's California Injured Worker Horror Story

[laaxe]

In construction, I strained back. Filed claim, received injections. Three months later, Zurich denied claim due to 1 No witness, 2 No med documentation, & 3 Filed too late. Two weeks later I fracured my spine. Couldn't get a lawyer due to recent denial. Took emerg predatory loan & forced to see a state workers' comp. medical evaluator. He said injury new in exam, but flipped in his report. Found he was also employed by insurers as an "expert medical witness" in jury trials, saving them millions.

[laaxe]

@laaxe Soon after his report, my right leg began collapsing. Eight months after fracture, I connected with my witness/supervisor, who said no one had ever contacted him regarding my back strain before the fracture, even thought I'd given the claims investigator his number. Now suspicious, I tracked down the allegedly missing documentation, found it, stating "Heavy lifting at work." Called my employer, who stated I Had filed on time. Eight months later, WC judge found for the insurance company.

[laaxe]

@laaxe (PART THREE) Four months after the loss, and with second leg collapsing, my local county hosp performed an MRI, then CT scan, properly diagnosing my fracture, where I received an emergency multi-level spinal fusion (first of two.) Leg strength os 50% of what it was. Now perm disabled, making 20k instead of 70k, I've since lost everything, home of 20 years, vehicles, credit, wife's 401k, 3 years of my families trust & compassion, most of our social friends, you name it! FUCKING WHY?

[fitzgerald95971]

Hello, I am about to go the the workers compensation appeals board and am going through my own horror story. I need help. My own lawyer seems to be just giving up because I am not willing to take the settlement. I am in pain and my doctor is on my side but WC keeps denying all my treatment. Help.

[Downedworker]

that you will either have to return to work, or starve to death. I also think they are happy to be rid of you, even if the cause is suicide. I have sold my home, my vehicles, some properties, and other items to try to maintain my credit, and keep on. I have little to no recollection of these sales. Now I am left with nothing. In Canada, lawyers shake with fear when they find your insurer is the WCB. I'm 57, and have never missed work. Why do they think I would start now? Stay strong friend.

[Downedworker]

Michael, I would really like to know how you made out on this one. I am an injured worker in Canada, but it sounds like we could be dealing with the same insurer. Maybe they're all the same. Of course, we expect them to do the right thing, and most of us are broke by the time we realize we are on our own. In my case, I was on heavy pain meds, and have little recollection of the past. These drugs were approved and paid for by the insurance company.They seem to work under the assumption (cont,}

[dianesmith2009]

Its everywhere, Insurance Companies fraud injured workers everyday, they lie, deny and cheat people and get away with it. If I lied like they can and do I would be put away for fraud. Why does the government not prosecute the Lying, Cheating, Inmoral, Inhumane insurance companies that cheat people of medical treatment needed to get them back to work? Could it be financial gain for the politicans?

[identitycrisis108]

You don't even have to lie like they do to get put away. The laws are designed that any material misstatement, omission, forgotten detail or even extraneous unrelated personal info tripped up during a deposition opens you to a felony perjury charge and jail time. Of course, you can't depose the IC. Only the injured worker is fair game.

We need radical reform or revolution.

[paf000001]

If any of these illiterate lay abouts ever had a job (to speak of) they would get off their fat backsides and try to DELIVER THE MAIL instead of complaining about everyone else who tries. I have the utmost respect for the people who suffer in order to make my life easier. You spoiled twit!

[bobyard123]

fuck ing Lizzy mortals cant put thing away or the tabble

[stevenbakerpension]

hang in there SHAME ON THE UNION good luck with the fight I UNDERSTAND

[4kout]

Injured workers are treated like 3rd world citizens while the insurance companies are getting filthy rich!!! Even more degrading, most injured suffer in pain, being demoralized, emtionally stressed in silence! Workers seriously injured get shafted!!!