The following first appeared years ago in an insurance industry trade rag, if memory serves. Trying to Do the Job Alone Dear Sir: I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block No. 3 of the accident reporting form I put "trying to do the job alone" as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient. I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new 6 story building. When I completed my work I discovered that I had about 500 lbs of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which fortunately was attached to the side of the building on the 6th floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out, and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 lbs of bricks. You will note in block number 11 of the accident report form that my weight is 135 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to leg go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the 3rd floor I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel then weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to the information on block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the 3rd floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks, and fortunately, only 3 vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel 6 stories above me, that I again lost my presence of mind, and I let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope so it came down upon me and broke both of my legs. I hope I have furnished the information you required as to how the accident occurred because I was Trying To Do The Job Alone.
I'm not laughing, because I have been dealing with the workers comp insurance company for 2 years, and they pretty much want details like that before they decide if a person's injury was work - related or if you're trying to pull a fast one. I have been in court countless times, and just started recieving benifits in March. Coupled with my husbands employer going Bankrupt, this is what led me to having credit in need of repair. You think CRA's are hard to deal with? The WC insurer probaly told that guy to come to work on Mon or risk losing his benifits! Anna
bill, I don't even know if you can get it in MA. If you can, it depends on the kind of policy the credit card company is offering you. The real insurance policies will pay your minimum payment each month, based on the balance at the time you file the claim. You can continue to use the card, but you would have to pay any difference in the minimum payment caused by your usage after you file the claim. They will pay this for either a set period of time - like one year or two years, or they will pay until they have paid out a maximum amount (limit). Really it is best to take the stupid 30 day money back guarantee and read the policy and see exactly what they will do. If you are interested in the coverage (a good idea these days) take it and I will read it for you and tell you what it says, and the implications of it all. Incidentally, you have to qualify for unemployment in order to file a claim. Some states will not approve the insurance policies offered, so some companies use a product that is not really insurance, and so it does not have to be approved by any state - that's what Providian does.
Breeze, It's semi-straightened out. I got notice about a month ago that the WC judge ruled in my favor and all funds due me were to be paid within 30 days. But of course there is also the right to appeal, which the insurance company did. This could drag on forever before I ever see a red cent. The kicker is that the case was cut and dried from the very beginning, and the insurance co doesn't have a chance in hell of winning. They just won't give untill they have to. They also were not pleased at the judge's order of 50% penalty, 10% interest, plus he assesed MY lawyers fees (20% of funds due and owing) to THEM! I believe it was his way of telling them to quit wasting the courts time trying to drive injured workers into the dirt, hoping they will just forget about it and go away. Can you tell me what makes these people tick? Do you work for a Workers Comp Company? BTW, my injury was never in question. They just decided not to pay me because they didn't feel like it! DISCLAIMER - - - THIS IS A CREDIT ISSUE - IT'S WHY I'M HERE!~
Re: need a good laugh? anna, it really depends on the company. some are excellent and some are a bitch. I don't specialize in WC, but I know about it and I know how to make them pay. However, once you have a lwyer, they won't deal with you so my advice is useless. That's not saying you did the wrong thing getting a lawyer. You can file a complaint with whoever regulates WC in your state. In Virginia it is the industrial commission. And no Insurance company want to F$#@ with the Virginia induatrial commission cause they will give them more grief than a judge will. You can still file a complaint - what company is it, and what state are you in?
I live in NH and I believe in Mass they give you 60% of your gross pay from the average of the last year. KHm
Re: need a good laugh? I'm in PA, the co is Crum and Forester - underwritten by Fireman's Fund. I know - - no one will touch me - no other lawyer will even talk to me - I can't even get permission to join the WC chat rooms. I think I'm on many, many lists of evil, annoying, persistant, hovering people. But I know I will get what's due me, I'm just tired of waiting. But like I tell my daughter - The Greasy Wheel Gets The Oil! (Someday)
Re: need a good laugh? The Greasy Wheel Gets The Oil! Anna, I believe that's."The Squeaky Wheel Get's The Grease",but I guess it would not hurt to oil it too.-
Re: need a good laugh? This thread started out irritating me - but it's turning into a good laugh! Wait till tomorrow!
Re: need a good laugh? THE "TWO-COW EXPLANATION" OF WHAT MAKES... A SOCIALIST: You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. A REPUBLICAN: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. So what? A DEMOCRAT: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. You feel guilty for being successful. You vote people into office who tax your cows, forcing you to sell one to raise money to pay the tax. The people you voted for then take the tax money and buy a cow and give it to your neighbor You feel righteous. A COMMUNIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and provides you with milk. A FASCIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and sells you the milk. You join the underground and start a campaign of sabotage. DEMOCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. The government taxes you to the point you have to sell both to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow, which was a gift from your government. CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows. BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. The government takes them both, shoots one, milks the other, pays you for the milk, then pours the milk down the drain. AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead. Sacrificing liberty for security, even temporarily, is an unacceptable trade.
Re: need a good laugh? Okay anna, here is where you file Worker's Comp complaints. http://www.comp.state.nc.us/ncic/pages/wcadmdir.htm#oh
