Something needs to change with workplace insurance

Sylvan Loegering,Agweek
Published: 11/02/2009

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Despite passage of North Dakota’s Measure 4 by a two-thirds majority in 2008, workers still can get injured on the job and be told their injuries are not covered by Workforce Safety and Insurance because of pre-existing conditions or degeneration, even if the condition or degeneration was caused by their job.

Injured workers can receive disability pay from WSI for years and suddenly be told they no longer will get checks because WSI decided their injuries were pre-existing. It is not against workers compensation law to lie to deny benefits to an injured worker. It is extremely difficult for injured workers to understand the red tape and to find legal representation. The list goes on.

Members of The North Dakota Injured Workers Support Group and others will be circulating its Bill of Rights for Injured Workers to gather signatures of support. Strong public support for this Bill of Rights will send a message to those legislators who have resisted changing the laws. Thank you in advance for your support.

After meeting with me, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven and Workforce Safety and Insurance Executive Director Brian Klipfel have pledged to review the issues and discuss them with us. I hope they make changes in the operation of WSI. However, no matter how willing they may be, they are limited by North Dakota laws.