Letter to the Editor

 Hello Ms. Mercer,

Please read the following article. Every U.S. State and Canadian Province
that know anything about fairness are reviewing the whole WCB system. The
program is not doing what it was designed to do. As a result we are seeing
an increase in suicides and murders as a direct result of a dysfunctional
system. As you are witnessing in my case, the lack of appropriate medical
care, lack of financial resources to retrain for another position and
maintain independence of the individual, a nightmare of policy and procedure
for an injured person to wade through, most times with no help, is some the
reasons the Newfoundland and Labrador Injured Workers Association called for
a judicial inquiry here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2008/03/10/news/wyoming/e2a46fad7984312c8725740700267775.txt

Danny Williams replied with a comment that cut to the core of my heart. His
comment basically stated we didn't want to give everyone the impression
something was terribly wrong.

I have a few questions. Is the death of one of your citizens King Danny not
enough to make you take notice that something is wrong? Are fifty people
confronting you in public not enough to convince you something is indeed
terribly wrong? Are you a cold hearted calculating crook in the pockets of
the WHSCC and Big Business, instead of a champion of the people? Does your
compassion wane in the face of financial threat real or imagined by
insurance fraudsters called WHSCC?

I remind you sir that Newfoundland and Labrador adopted the same workers
compensation system as the rest of Canada in 1951. That system, as
implemented in most States and Provinces, started in 1915 after much
research and consultation. Because all these systems have the same core
philosophies and policy and procedures, albeit with a few modifications
between Provinces and States, the whole system can be said to be
dysfunctional and not doing its intended purpose which is to provide a no
fault insurance program, to protect companies from lawsuit while insuring
the wage loss and medical care is provided to the injured worker.

The point is, that is not happening. It is a system completely perverted
into a company only protection racket, not worthy of a State or Province to
support. The injured worker is forced onto other programs which provide a
bare minimum of care, instead of the promised financial and medical care
which was supposed to be provided through the Workers Compensation Acts.
Injured workers are being left without support in any way to retrain and are
given pensions which are only two or three hundred dollars for total
disability. No one in their right mind could even consider that amount to be
fair compensation for ruining a mans health, future career opportunities and
benefits associated with his employment such as regular pay increases, RRSP
contribution room, the ability to buy a house, invest money, and in general
lead a normal life. Unfortunately WCB's make it almost impossible for a
person to receive due benefits because of governments legislation which in
and of itself violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Criminal code of
Canada, and other numerous laws which govern our societies behaviour and
attitudes. This system is quite simply killing the most vulnerable amongst
us. If you don't believe that same thing is happening in Canada as the
Untied States then please read the following quote from the O.W.A. In New
Brunswick;

"That belief in an unknown number of injured workers who have been
improperly denied benefits is a source of frustration because so many of the
decisions we review have enormous implications for workers and their
families. All of the advocates have had clients who have committed suicide
while on a claim; we have all had many clients whose marriages have broken
down while on a claim; many of our clients have had to resort to social
services (along with the perceived stigma) pending an appeal of their case."

Injured workers will take no more abuse from this system. If Danny Williams
does not call for a judicial inquiry here in Newfoundland and Labrador then
he will certainly have proven his true nature. No one can ignore the fact
people are dying under this system rather than being helped. That is a
tragedy no one can, nor should, ignore.

Fred Palmer