Injured DC Workers Battle for Benefits

Friday, April 13, 2012

Injured DC Workers Battle for Benefits(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)When William Workcuff injured his back at his job with the DC Housing Authority he had no idea of how often he would have to fight the District government to access the medical care he needs. Stories like his have inspired the Employment Justice Center (EJC) and DC Jobs with Justice to draft the “Protecting Injured Government Workers Reform Act of 2012.” Because he was injured on the job, Mr. Workcuff (at right) is supposed to receive benefits and health insurance from the Public Sector Workers Compensation Fund. But since 2008 DC’s Office of Risk Management (ORM) has tried multiple times to cut off his benefits, even sending him to their doctor, who says Mr. Workcuff should go back to work even through his personal physician disagrees. Without access to his benefits, Mr. Workcuff has no income and cannot afford his medications, leaving him suffering from constant back pain. “The Reform Act is there to ensure that workers like Mr. Workcuff are not left to suffer without benefits based on biased medical reports” said Ari Weisbard, EJC Advocacy Manager. “The act would give greater weight to workers’ treating physicians, rather than those hired by the government.” Click here to sign a petition in support of the Protecting Injured Government Workers Reform Act of 2012. - report by Employment Justice Center’s Naomi Iser; photo courtesy of the Employment Justice Center

 

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