To: President Donald Trump
Save injured workers from insidious Worker's Comp systems
Petition: That all workers who have been injured on the job should have additional rights under and beyond the existing and failing Worker's Compensation System, including, but not limited to: full access to doctors, medical providers and treatments of their choice; protection under HIPAA privacy; and the right to have their personal medical providers be witnesses against the employer's medical doctors, when necessary. That workers injured on the job should have job security, full access to the best health care treatments possible, and the right to speak out without retribution about any worksite problems that may have lead to or created that injury. That injured workers - whether employed by county, state or federal institutions - should have equal rights to reimbursement for their injuries, and free, objective legal representation when necessary.
Why is this important?
Everybody knows somebody who has been hurt or injured on the job, but few people realize (or care about) the gross inequities, pain, and difficulties getting good health care faced by people who are injured at work. I developed asthma and other allergic health issues from working in a school administrative site – an old, wooden portable that had rusted iron beams in the walls and ceiling. We had been, unknowingly, inhaling fine iron rust powders for years, along with molds and other substances. Sick buildings, usually the product of poor maintenance by employers, causes physical, economical, emotional and career damage to many thousands of hard-working, dedicated people annually. Work-related illnesses cause loss of production, economic family hardship and mental and physical waste. Many people give up in fear for their job or do not report injuries at work, unless they are obvious. The Worker's Comp posters in work locations are not worth - for the truly injured worker - the paper they are printed on! Those posters largely represent a farce. Ask any woman or man who has been injured at work. America needs not only universal health care as proposed by President Obama, but a guaranteed, universal health care system for injured workers that is NOT controlled by the employer and the insurance company (a.k.a. carrier) whose main concerns are keeping claims down and injured workers quiet. Teachers, firemen, office-workers, medical staff, restaurant workers, and everyone who works for someone else are at risk of entering this dark, insidious Worker's Compensation system. I'm calling on all injured workers who have found themselves in this toxic mire of pain and paperwork to unite and speak out.
I am asking President Obama to stand up for injured workers around this country and to create protective laws and a universal health/legal system of excellence to treat and protect injured workers. We are women and men who were struggling in this economy to provide for our families, then, an injury at work or on the job threw us into the dark, insidious, unfair, health and legal system of the Workers Compensation system. My petition starts with President Obama because he cares. The U.S. House (Republicans) tend to support only businesses and they do not care about the welfare or injuries of workers. I have never written a petition like this before. Thank you. Michelle D. 11/10/2012. Florida
I am asking President Obama to stand up for injured workers around this country and to create protective laws and a universal health/legal system of excellence to treat and protect injured workers. We are women and men who were struggling in this economy to provide for our families, then, an injury at work or on the job threw us into the dark, insidious, unfair, health and legal system of the Workers Compensation system. My petition starts with President Obama because he cares. The U.S. House (Republicans) tend to support only businesses and they do not care about the welfare or injuries of workers. I have never written a petition like this before. Thank you. Michelle D. 11/10/2012. Florida