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Make sure you cover your butt!

4K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  CT-18 
#1 ·
My daughter is a plumbing apprentice. 3 years ago she was up a ladder, safety glasses on when a can of primer fell and spilled over her glasses and into both eyes. It was immediately reported as she got to the eyewash station. Paperwork was filled out by the company we both worked for at the time as well as by the general contractor of the site.
She went to a walk in clinic instead of the hospital because she felt ok. First mistake. Dr said her eyes looked irritated but that she was fine. A few months later she leaves the company to pursue other interests.
About a year ago she starts losing her peripheral vision. Goes to an eye Dr. The Dr couldn't believe the damage that was done and that the clinic Dr didn't send her to the hospital and say if he had of the damage would have been minimal but because it wasn't treated properly right away the primer continued to do damage. She sets up an appointment for a specialist to look at her eyes. A year goes by as she waits for the appointment. Last week she went in and again the Dr couldn't believe the damage. There's a few more tests to do but it looks like the accident has cause glaucoma. Untreated she could be blind in 5 years. Treatment will stop the damage but she will never get back what's already been damaged.
Here's the kicker - everyone is now trying to cover THEIR butt. The company we worked for says there was never an accident report filed. The Dr at the clinic says they can't find a record of her visit. Workers Comp says the victim has to file with a year of the accident. A personal injury lawyer says she spend years fighting and get nothing. So she facing meds and possible surgeries at her own expense. I'm going to make a few phone calls because there has to be a record somewhere either with the general contractor or the agency paying the Dr. (I don't imagine he worked for free).
To the young apprentices out there and long time plumbers - don't be timid. If you're in a workplace accident report it and follow up. Nag until everything is taken care of properly.
Sorry for the long rant
 
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#3 ·
I do have to ask, did the company pay for her walk in clinic visit? When I got hurt I went to occupational health, so there was no question as to if it happened at work or not. If you somehow had proof the company paid for her visit you might have some sort of proof that the company knew , and it was work related.
I do know if you can show it was documented and the company knows, the company is responsible for all surgeries, medicine etc.. For the next 11 years after.. This was explained to me in my OSHA class.

I am currently fighting my old employer over a $200 bill. I have it documented, and went to occupational health. He is a very poor business man, and is refusing to pay my bill. After a year, I got the bill from the hospital , saying after so long it becomes my responsibility , and that I might have to sue to get money from him. Yeah, I'll sue over a one time visit for $200.. Our workers comp laws need to have some revisions.
 
#5 ·
Very sorry to read about your daughter's plight. Keep investigating. There has to be a paper trail. There might even be a video of her entering the clinic. She might have a paper somewhere of the day she visited the clinic. You need to gather evidence to support the case that she had this occur on that job. People who work at the clinic can be interviewed and their videotaped interviews can serve as evidence that she was treated for an on-the-job injury.
 
#10 ·
That's such a terrible thing to hear. You won't get any help from the clinic if they already are trying to deny she was ever there. If she paid with a cc, look into the digital banking records.
Everyone is only in it for themselves, that's the way the world is today. Insurance companies will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible, if anything at all.
 
#13 ·
I got metal shavings in my eye from cutting some old cast iron out...went to eye Dr the next day and he cut out the metal from my eye, no long term issues, that was about 10 years ago..socialized medicine sucks, they hope you die off before they have to pay for treatment...
 
#14 ·
I got metal shavings in my eye from cutting some old cast iron out...went to eye Dr the next day and he cut out the metal from my eye, no long term issues, that was about 10 years ago..socialized medicine sucks, they hope you die off before they have to pay for treatment...
I could not disagree with you more. But this is not the time nor place to
discuss it. So I won't.
 
#15 ·
Sorry for your kids situation and hopefully she doesnt get worse.

Years ago a fitter i worked with had the weld on the top of a Mapp gas canister break and shoot gas everywhere while he was soldering. He was taken to U of M burn center for many painful skin graffs. While all that was going on the said canister mysteriously disappeared, so they were unable to pursue legal actions.

He told me the burns didnt compare to them having to scrub his skin off before doing the surgeries.
 
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