No workers’ comp for Joplin hero unfair

No workers’ comp for Joplin hero unfair

The article, “Joplin ‘hero’ left to pay own medical bills,” was a real shocker. Social worker Mark Lindquist has been denied workman’s compensation for his substantial medical bills for significant injuries sustained while trying to save three developmentally disabled adults during the Joplin tornado.

The reason cited by the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America for denying the claim, “based on the fact that there was no greater risk than the general public at the time you were involved in the Joplin tornado.”

There is only one legitimate question to ask in this case; “Was it Mr. Lindquist’s job at the time to be supervising these three developmentally disabled adults?” If the answer is, “Yes,” and I assume from the article it is, then Mr. Lindquist was injured while fulfilling his job’s duties and workers’ comp. should pay.

The situation of the disaster is irrelevant. Consider Hurricane Katrina and the medical personnel who were prosecuted for abandoning their charges in the midst of impossible and dangerous circumstances. They, as licensed professionals could be prosecuted for abandoning their posts, yet Mr. Lindquist, who heroically manned his post in similar circumstances is denied workman’s comp. for his substantial injuries?

This is an outrageous decision by the insurance company and they should be sued. This situation serves as poor incentive to become a health care professional. Stay at your post in a disaster and workman’s comp will abandon you, but abandon your post and you’ll be prosecuted. This sets a dangerous precedent of a double standard for health care workers everywhere. The Missouri Dept. of Insurance Regulation and Missouri lawmakers need to step in to rectify this unacceptable situation.

Brian Van Dine

Carol Stream