Am I really responsible for the departments increased costs? Please advise.

[slipnfall]

I had a serious fall at work.
I was hurt very badly and have been through the workmans comp process for the last 14 months.
The company I work for and their workmans comp lawyer finally accepted responsibility and my lawyer is going through the process as I know how much red tape is involved. I am not fixed, far from it and besides the physical damage this has done to my life I am also emotionally feeling battered.
What I would like to know, if anyone could please advise me is :
I was told the place where I continue to work is having to foot my medical bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, lawyer fees, etc, and this is the reason the costs are now so high. Is this true? Dosent their workmans comp insurance cover my expenses?

Any advice or opinion is much appreciated. Thanks.

[bagpussinamerica]

Oh for goodness sakes. If this is large hotel chain, and it doesn't matter where, then they surely had employers insurance against this sort of thing. Someone there is just pulling your chain and trying to make you feel guilty. Try not to take it to heart. Almost everyone here has had something of the sort said to them because of their claims. Even if the hotel was cutting back due to your claim, which I can not believe, then one...that is not your fault, and two, the hotel is already in serious trouble. And yes, w/c does pay for your expenses. That is what the hotel pays for insurance policies for in the first place. Why would the hotel cut off "happy hour" if it was bringing in money? My guess is that the hotel is having a slump...just like quite a few other businesses at the moment, and they don't have the people coming in to the bar as much as before.

[1171]

depends on how the comp is setup. There may not be insurance coverage thru a separate policy. All states allow an employer to be self-insured. This can be better financially for very large employers. self-insurance can allow an employer to allocate costs directly down to specific business units rather then pool them among all operations. It's left up to the self-insured employer to account for insurance costs and other overhead expenses in whatever manner they wish.
It's possible that the employer is doing something similar but it's certainly by choice and not by law.
would they have closed the hotel if there had been a catastrophic multi million dollar claim?
I doubt it. sounds like they are just using comp costs as justification to bully low level operations into increasing profits. a not uncommon business tactic to reduce worker benefits.
however workers comp coverage is not free and employers with higher costs pay more.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

(((I was told the bar where I continue to work is having to foot my medical bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, lawyer fees, etc, and this is the reason the costs are now so high that they are cutting off happy hour, upping the prices of the drinks, etc.)))

And this concerns you how and why? Your employer can cut happy hour and do whatever they wish. Don't see how or why this is an issue, to you, or anyone else employed there. It has nothing at all that would concern anyone in your State Work Comp system, Laws or Rules of such work comp system.

[bagpussinamerica]

So all in all, you should not be thinking this has anything to do with you, or should you feel accountable. Just let it slide. If you can. I know if you are still working there, it could be difficult to defend yourself against such statements. I would keep staying on here to get the support you need. Because you it looks like you will getting some stress at work. Everyone here is really good at dealing out the support you will need, and give advice when it looks like it could be boarding on harassment. Be strong.

[kit]

If they are telling you they have to cut back on services and increase prices because of you, I would be very wary about your job future. I would document everything being told to you by your supervisors and if they let you go, you might have a case for harrasement and retaliation.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Kit, all this is meaningless in the Work Comp system. What your saying is a Labor Board Issue, and EEOC issue, but still not a winning case issue.

[slipnfall]

Thank you all for the replies and help you have offered. My mind is more at rest knowing this information. Thanks