Please Point The Way: Workers' Comp

Christine

Can anyone please tell me where there might be forums on workers comp that AREN'T FROM THE INJURED EMPLOYEE'S SIDE?!

We are being "had" by someone who injured himself after 30 minutes on his first day before we had wc, and our lawyer isn't being as helpful as we'd like (but beggars can't be choosers, right?). I would really like to find some place where small business owners talk about wc issues, problems, etc.

Please tell me there's something out there on the www.

slickshift

Ask at SCORE:
http://www.score.org/index.html
Law info from Cornell
http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index...s_compensation
dot gov is often a good place for info (if not a little on the dry side)
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di-toc.html
Try your state's site, this is NYs (with a link to the Fraud Inspector General's office-now that's service)
http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/

slickshift

I noticed your location
I didn't find a link to the Fraud Inspecter General yet but;
http://sbwc.georgia.gov/00/article/0...292004,00.html

slickshift

Hmmm...
http://sbwc.georgia.gov/00/channel_m...593851,00.html
http://sbwc.georgia.gov/00/channel_m...400543,00.html
There's some contact info
No forums or anything, but the law and procudure's may vary too much state to state
Maybe someone here with experience in these matters will drop by for some more personal advice

I had the same thing happen to me before when I was managing delivery systems for a corp. (well, I think the guy worked 3 hours), but fortunately we fought it and it was so obviously bogus he did not follow through
I believe we only got as far as sending a letter stating we disputed the claim

Christine

This guy is just dragging things out as long as he possibly can. We know he's gone through a worker's comp experience before he told one of our employees he was in some vehicle accident years ago. We also got an anonymous call from some girl who said he was faking the whole thing and had done it before.

Oh...to make a ridiculously long story short. The treating physician finally released him to full duty 11/7. Now, of course, our injured victim wants a second opinion...and the doc he wants to see can't see him for 4 weeks. Meantime, we're paying him weekly for doing nothin' but f*&%#ing us. Our lawyer has not returned our latest phone call, but his last communique to us said the guy has a right to a second opinion at our expense ('cuz we didn't have wc at the time). I have no problem with second opinions, but what we are eager to find out is whether we can impose a time limit on his search for a second opinion. If our lawyer doesn't get back to us by tomorrow, my husband will call the wc board and talk to them.

I am so tired of my husband being treated poorly by the men (and women, I might add) who he hires. He gives everyone a chance. He's helped out a lot of his employees and all but one of them screwed him over. I don't like generalizations, but I can't help it...the typical new hiree doesn't give a s#$t that my husband and I are trying to make a successful business and that we have everything invested in it. We've made tremendous sacrifices, and will continue to for a while. We are struggling to create a good future for our son. And these guys come and piss all over us. Now, no one steps on our jobsites without going through all sorts of red tape with us.

Ah. Forget it.

Tom R

Sorry to hear about all that, Christing, - - yeah, the whole system absolutely 'sucks' these days, - - punishment for the hardworking, and fruits for the useless, - - but anyway, - - hate to bring up anything that might even cost you MORE money, - - but sounds like hiring a P.I. might actually save you some in the long run.

__________________
http://www.tr-built.com

6stringmason

Very sorry to hear of this. Its a shame that there are loathsome scum like that around but its part of the territory I guess. I hope all works out well for you.

Christine

Well, we did hire a PI for an initial (and cheap) investigation. The guy has a rap sheet. In fact, he'd only been out of prison (1 yr term) for about a month. I told the PI it was important to find out if the guy had previous wc claims, but he never pursued it, I guess, and then I got sidetracked because everyone who matters in this situation said it doesn't matter if the guy is fraudulent. It would have no bearing on the hearing that we'll ultimately have with a judge. Its up to the wc board to pursue any fraudulent doings. WTF ever.

JustaFramer

I am glad WA doesn't work that way. Employee's are insured through L&I right when walk on the job.

PipeGuy

Why is this a W/C issue if the accident occurred before before the policy period? What am I missing?

PipeGuy

Why are you paying him?

You need a different lawyer.

If an insurance policy is paying for all this then their loss prevention expert should be providing you guidance. If this is out-of-pocket, and you have good cause to believe that fraud is at play, then stop paying the guy and make him sue you for everything. Just be well prepared to defend yourselves.


If you want employees to care about your business challenges and family concerns then make them partners and adopt them. Otherwise, all they're likely to do is what's reasonably expected: a fair day's work for a fair day's wages. If they're not at least doing that then it's your job to correct the situation.

PipeGuy

That's one hell of a summation Tom. We must live in different 'systems'.

Greggory

Send them to your doc.
pay them while off.
As soon as he is sent back to work FIRE his a@#.

Greggory

paroofer

I just got a weird call yesterday... Someone 500 miles away went to the ER for shortness of breath and is trying to use our workman's comp. The hospital called me for more information and I was like

Has me slightly concerned.