First responders bill, I don't understand

[bodybuilder1958]

Hi All,

Yes I do understand, 9-11 first responders, hero's for sure each and every one. But they fall under work comp and I imagine as city, state workers they get reasonably good care. But help me to understand why Congress is trying to pass a bill to give more money for their care when Work comp is responsible.

If Work Comp is the system set up for injured workers, a policy which we fall under then why isn't it good enough for the 9-11 first responders. Don't get me wrong on this, I don't deny them care, that they deserve the very best of treatment. But then we all, as injured workers deserve better care.

Just my two cents worth,
BB1958

[Bummer Knees]

First tiem I have heard of this, what is the bill number?

[jayne]

I believe they deserve the very best....but again I think all injured workers do....this may be the way we need to get WC looked at and checked over

[bodybuilder1958]

The bill before Congress was named after a first responder, a detective who died who committed suicide. He ground up pills and injected himself.
He was receiving $90,000. a year disability, plus free medical care and in 2004 received a cash settlement.

I don't deny anybody care, especially those who put themselves on the line to protect us. But as I stated before, 'We're all injured workers'.

[admin]

The First Responders bill has the emotion of 9/11 attached to it. I believe the bill you refer to is related to the care of first responders on 9/11. The WTC and Pentagon attacks represent the largest single workers' compensation incident in history, and the system, not designed to handle anything of that magnitude, was virtually overwhelmed by it. Physical injury, inhalation illnesses and psychological issues abound from that day.

I am not saying this bill is the answer, but that is the emotion driving it.

[jayne]

My Daddy collected WC till the day he died an Mom collects it now...I had no idea until I had to go thru his paperwork..but he collected black lung I knew that what I didnt know was it was WC.and mom gets Dads now that hes gone...why all the "layers" of WC? we all go thru the hell of losing everything some our backs some a body part.....what makes it different is exposure.......nobody outside our family gives a darn that we are hurt......everybody knows about the 9-11 people......

[Wink]

This is certainly no ordinary Workers Compensation case and I can't see HOW it could possibly be handled like one.

You know, I have empathy for anyone hurt on the job--I've been there myself. But I have a special empathy for those heroes that were truly maimed at Ground Zero and deserve any help possible, notwithstanding any irony.

As for the scamming Trial Lawyers, and the individual scammers who are playing on our country's emotions for immense financial gain with hands held out; and as for the show-boating politicians who are in it for gainful stature--well, they can all go to hell.

[bronco54501]

This was a tragedy, I personaly never knew anyone there but I have friend that knew some one... It's a shame so many lifes were taken, and all that were injured... The real problem I believe is with so many there killed or injured it shouldnt be considered a wc injury. I believe our country should stand up and follow the wc rules but with exceptions... I mean if I would have died in my mva my wife would have got like 235,000 from wc ins... This should be no differ from me or any worker. Some of us risk our lifes everday while working and you never know when it your turn... I believe if they get better treatment well then so should we, and hopefully this will start a trend of better treatment for the injured worker... I do believe thier should be outstanding benifits for those who risk thier lifes every day for our country...

[Manley2]

I wish this whole story would get out there so the world would see how most of us in the WC system are being treated. All injured workers should be treated the same

[bodybuilder1958]

You are so very right.
Yes these are heroes.
But we are too, heroes to our families, to our kids, our spouses, those we encourage. Why aren't we all treated the same? Why does it take an act of congress for a few to gain proper treatment. An act when so many thousands suffer nation wide?

We all deserve better care, short answers, proper treatment, any treatment.
These men and women 9-11 heroes were doing their jobs, we were doing our jobs. Treat us all properly, the same, equally.

For me I helped deliver babies, every job is important.
BB