WCB sucks

[switchsl]

I guess Im just venting, Im sure many have their experiences. Theres a particular doctor who works for Occupational health and saftey who diagnosed me with metal poisoning, but says none of the many quite serious symptoms I have are related. These symptoms are all listed in the MSDS sheets he requested, all from my work that all include the metals I was exposed to, aswell as on the canadian OCH&s web page, but yet in his infinite wisdom they are not from my work, and not making me sick. I have been looked over, poked, biopsied, x rayed and mri`d there is nothing at all wrong with me according to 3 seperate specialists, other than the arsenic maganese, aluminum, and selenium in my system. I have an inspection with 5 infractions from Occupational health investigators from the jobsite all relating to resperatory saftey, but still... the doctor (apparently an expert on welding also) says nope, not a chance. I have now started selling my things, Im out of money, and was told again I still cant work. WCB wont pay me, and I have no money to fight them. I stopped by the shop today to hand in my resignation, since Im unable to work anymore, and guess what... shops still running, and there are two first year apprentices there, none of which are wearing the appropriate respiratory equipment. Oddly the guy who was there that I told what was going on, was fired. Meanwhile, the owner continues about 3/4 of a million a year in buisness off two 20$ an hour wages, probably doing alot of the pressure related work I used to do, now done illegaly.

[mudbug]

Have you tried a labour lawyer that deals with these sorts of things? Some of them work on commision so they don't get paid unless you get a settlement and most of them provide the initial consult for free. Just phone and ask them first what their policy is and ask them also which doctor they think you should get a second opinion from. Just google labor lawyers in your city and there will quite often be a lot of them listed with their websites. Good luck

Here's a link you might find helpful, whatever you do don't give up because that is what they count on

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid...labour+lawyers

[switchsl]

Tried that, Im still capable of working... just not capable of working a real job and earning the money I am used to. So I can watch a security camera, sell you your french fries, etc. Because of this, there is no settlement to work from, and no lawyer will take the case that I talked to unless I pay, and I have a wife to look after so I have no money for a long drawn out legal battle. The case is in review again by wcb medical advisors, but I already know what the answer will be in a few months, when they get to answering me.

[mudbug]

Does WCB offer a retraining program for a similar income job? Maybe as a welding inspector? Just a thought.

[switchsl]

No, because the occ doctor says the injury is non work related, wcb has the medical evidence they need to deny the claim. Im fighting best I can, with all the evidence I could gather... but they are alot better at this than me. Anybody with any comon sense would realise you dont get heavy metal poisoning easily, and as a welder of high alloy and many weird exotic alloys its got to be the job. Its not a simple case trust me. Im looking at going back to work welding as its all I know sick or not, as I will be running a debt by mid next month just to pay the bills. Know anybody looking for a skilled TIG welder? lol

[switchsl]

By the way I appreciate the suggestions, sorry if I am bitter. Being confined to my house for the last 2 years has started to get to me.

[hl649]

Originally Posted by switchsl

No, because the occ doctor says the injury is non work related, wcb has the medical evidence they need to deny the claim

It may help your case here if you were to let us know what the evidence that WCB has to deny the claim. Someone may be able to come up with a reasonable way to convince WCB to rethink your claim.

[lavigne25]

Wcb are notorious for not paying out because they know people get discourage.same happen to me I was exposed to so2. Sulfur dioxide at work I was getting headeaches from it I faught with them for weeks then threaten to get a wcb be lawer and I told them that I would call them twice a day till they would pay me ,she then told me not to be rediculous then I said to then pay me what you owe me .then I call a lawer that deals with wcb he told me on the phone if I send my wcb case worker a letter requesting payement with dates you missed work and stuff he told me they would pay me , shure enough I gathered all my doctors papers and dates sent them the letter with it and they sent me a 8000$ cheque for the 4 weeks I dint work .keep at them

[lavigne25]

I will bet ya when the hostage taking happened this winter at the wcb building , well the wcb workers that filed for stress leave will claim wcb and there claims won't be disaproved lol

[MrDave]

Here is some interesting facts that they don't want you to know. I only have a moment but i will come back and help you all out with these problems.

WCB employees have their benefits as provided to Aberta cival employees, but are not public employees.

WCB employees recieve a bonus every year they are there based on the income, minus costs of the Board( can't call them profits, because the Board is Non Profit).

Wcb employees are trying to get clients to believe the Board does not pay for pain, but they do if your pain is from a medically diagnosed problem. It needs to be named.

If the Board denies you, you end up be cared for by the Alberta Taxpayer, AISH or Welfare. The injured worker is frequently retrained under the Federal government programs. Instant profit.

Many injured workers end up declaring bankruptcy and give up.

All this adds up to a hefty bonus check for the case manager in the end.

When King Ralph attacked the government services, he rearranged Alberta's finances for years. He did not touch the WCB, as it works at "Arms Length" from the government.
The employees from the Board are recieving the benefits and bonus' base on the red hot Alberta economy of the 70's.

I have essentially been demolished by the actions of the Board and plan to get even.
My medical evidence is all on my side, but have had all the same problems as you all.
I, however, have studied the WCB Act and the WCB website, since I snapped my knee over backwards. What else was there to do when you cannot walk the way you used to.

While my case is being waged, YOU the Alberta taxpayer is supporting ME and MY family. I work when I can, but for the most part YOU pay ME.

But those who are having issues, I will help where I can. Those who don't like it CALL someone who cares. Like your MLA.

You can call us names all you want, we simply got permanently injured at work and ARE NOT being treated as required by LAW!