A Long Dark Road, an Injured Worker’s Story – An Update for December 2014

With this being December 2014, I am approaching a milestone for this is the 19^th anniversary of the first accident. It is amazing how a simple accident can compound over the years to greatly change a person’s life and circumstance. It hasn’t always been enjoyable but I have learned a great deal about others and myself through these events. I know that it’s been a while and in truth not a whole lot has happened. When waiting for WSIAT and the rest of these processes to move forward this has become the norm, and it is even more evidence as to why people who are in this sort of situation, either go to extremes or give up all together. I understand, I get it and it isn’t pleasant!

I have now hired a disability lawyer and we are preparing to litigate for my insurance benefits. It has been an interesting experience. I had approached a number of lawyers early in this process and most when they heard that it involved WSIB and WSIAT, simply stated that they don’t handle these types of cases. Luckily, my new advocate, suggested a lawyer who does handle these cases. I have also been informed of a few other courses of action that I can take which I am investigating. I will have to wait and see what comes from them.

CPP has also denied my claim, which was expected. We are in the process of also appealing that decision.

Many of you may have heard of the acid leak at ArcelorMittal Dofasco back in September. A pipe carrying acid from one part of the plant to another ruptured outside of the building. The side of the building, shown in the news articles, showed the brown acid stain running down the side of the building. Of course, it took the company 3 weeks to say anything to the public but the residents that were impacted by this leak found out when the glass and paint on their cars was pitted. Many of the residents have complained of coughs and other symptoms, much like the symptoms I described early on in this blog. It was rather dismaying though to see that the Hamilton Health Department said that there would be no long-term effects from the exposure. With everything I’ve gone through, I can state that the effects don’t go away. Yet with the power that ArcelorMittal Dofasco seems to hold over the city, this outcome was hardly unexpected even if it was disappointing. I took the time to write comments on both of the articles on The Spectator and CHCH-TV.  CHCH-TV was the only one to respond and asked me to submit my story to them, which I have willingly done!

As I wait for a date from the Tribunal I received an interesting letter last week. It seems that ArcelorMittal Dofasco won’t be participating in the hearing when it finally gets scheduled. They didn’t participate in the first WSIAT Tribunal either. Again, it will be a long process to get there. With WSIAT booking into 2016 and beyond, it could be a while before I have anything to report on from them!

Yet with everything that has happened, life goes on in one way or another. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

God bless.