This incident has not hit the newspaper before but after reading the latest articles (July 30), I couldn't resist informing other readers of WSI (Workforce Safety and Insurance (formerly Workman's Comp) judgment calls.
My son was injured on the job four years ago and hasn't worked since. His injury was to his hand, arm, shoulder and nerve damage to his neck. Because the initial surgery was botched, he had to endure multiple surgical procedures to correct it. One of the doctors involved stated that this could be an ongoing, lifelong issue. He has had several sessions with therapies of all sorts. At the present, he cannot sit or stand for more than a half hour to an hour before he has severe pain in the neck and head.
Several attorneys were contacted; none would take his case. I have contacted the insurance commissioner, but he doesn't handle this insurance, so referred me to the governor. I also contacted Sen. Gary Lee, R-Casselton, N.D.. When he finally returned my call, his most ingenious statement was "I recall that his wife is a social worker, she should know how to get him on some kind of disability."
This is what WSI has done for this young man and his family:
E Paid for his medical bills, for which they are grateful.
ADVERTISEMENT
E Had a representative checking on him at home to make sure he wasn't working.
E Intimidated him so badly that he "thought" he knew what a raped woman felt like - totally violated! He has become thoroughly discouraged and distraught, along with physical pain, resulting in clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and now is addicted to the pain medication. But according to WSI's rules and regulations, this is not considered catastrophic though, so no kind of disability could be given.
EWould not consider giving him paid mileage for medical purposes as he was 48 miles from Fargo (they allow 50 miles).
Denied him any compensation for vocational training. (I paid for that).
Upon calling WSI, on his behalf, to relate the situation with his mental state to see if they would proceed with another appeal without him signing/sending paper back, the answer was NO! I then asked what they would do if he should kill himself in the interim. A response was "that is out of our hands". So much for compassion or understanding.
It has been difficult at best for him and his wife to raise three teenagers the last four years on one salary. He has no health insurance, no credit, many bills; they both have student loans that IRS is taking payments out of any refunds. They are trying to sell their home in the country they love but may lose it eventually if they can't keep up with the payments. They bought this with two incomes coming in, not one. He can't work at the small business we set up for him because of the pain and so he will lose that also. The saddest part of all this is now they must get a divorce, even though they still love each other because she makes too much money for him to qualify for any other disability anywhere else.
I hope WSI is proud of themselves for "helping" this injured worker. It's no wonder they have millions/billions of excess money when they don't care for the injured workers.
They know how to antagonize and humiliate them until they've had all they can take and finally give up, get on another disability (if possible) or roam the streets. They simply don't care.
ADVERTISEMENT
Arneson lives in Fargo.
