I was Cooking on a River Boat and had a Skin Problem Arise…
FAQ,Personal Injury,Work Injury,Workers' Compensation - August 26, 2015 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Question:
I was cooking on a river boat and had an skin problem arise, so I filled out an accident form as I was instucted to do at orientation before going to work. Two days later I was asked by the office to go to another boat, so I went. On the way to the other boat I was in a crew van owned by the company I worked for – the driver also works for same company – the driver was driving very crazy like he was in a race, fast, then quick stopping, tailgating every car he got behind. Had two near-misses of having a bad wreck then minutes later he locked up the brakes one too many times and we were hit from behind.
Immediatly I felt OK but two hours later I was hurting and there was something sticking me in back of my head, my back and neck was hurting as well, and I saw blood in my urine, so I called company from the dock where van driver left me and said I want to go to the doctor.
They said that would not happen, that I needed to stay and cook on the boat because the captains and engineers were threatening to quit because there was no cook for several weeks. Furthermore the van driver that was in the accident told the company I was fine. I said I was hurt and needed medical care and that should have been enough for them to comply. Instead they said if I wasn’t staying on boat and cook, they would take me to bus station so I could “take my little ass home.”
My home was 500 miles away. Finally after fighting with them on phone they gave in and said they would send the van back to get me later and take me to the hospital and then to bus station.
I went to the hospital 9 hours later, then to the hotel for the rest of the early-morning hours and then to the bus station, which is not the doctors orders I got.
Needless to say I was fired and have been in pain ever since. No one at company would authorise me for medical attention at home nor would the insurance of the person who hit us. By the way she was given a ticket. So here I am at home with no money or insurance to get medical care. I tried, but local doctor office said $130.00 was upfront to be seen.
–Florida Shy
Immediatly I felt OK but two hours later I was hurting and there was something sticking me in back of my head, my back and neck was hurting as well, and I saw blood in my urine, so I called company from the dock where van driver left me and said I want to go to the doctor.
They said that would not happen, that I needed to stay and cook on the boat because the captains and engineers were threatening to quit because there was no cook for several weeks. Furthermore the van driver that was in the accident told the company I was fine. I said I was hurt and needed medical care and that should have been enough for them to comply. Instead they said if I wasn’t staying on boat and cook, they would take me to bus station so I could “take my little ass home.”
My home was 500 miles away. Finally after fighting with them on phone they gave in and said they would send the van back to get me later and take me to the hospital and then to bus station.
I went to the hospital 9 hours later, then to the hotel for the rest of the early-morning hours and then to the bus station, which is not the doctors orders I got.
Needless to say I was fired and have been in pain ever since. No one at company would authorise me for medical attention at home nor would the insurance of the person who hit us. By the way she was given a ticket. So here I am at home with no money or insurance to get medical care. I tried, but local doctor office said $130.00 was upfront to be seen.
–Florida Shy
Answer:
There is not enough information to make an accurate response, but I can tell you that the skin problem is either a WC case or a Jones Act claim. Either way your employer has to pay your medical bills at the very least. As to the car accident, since you were on the job, you are entitled to WC benefits. Plus, if the other driver was at fault, you would have a third-party or a JURY claim against that driver.
These are all items you should take advantage of. Your ticket to doing that, your protection, your access to the court system is through a car accident attorney. They don’t charge unless you win. Get one and get your rights protected. Don’t let the insurance company run you through the mill. Remember, they have attorneys. You should also. Do a thorough search for a great Workers Compensation attorney in your area and then you will be taken care of.
These are all items you should take advantage of. Your ticket to doing that, your protection, your access to the court system is through a car accident attorney. They don’t charge unless you win. Get one and get your rights protected. Don’t let the insurance company run you through the mill. Remember, they have attorneys. You should also. Do a thorough search for a great Workers Compensation attorney in your area and then you will be taken care of.
