tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post7447660752205215862..comments2024-02-16T09:00:32.845-06:00Comments on FromDC2Iowa: Danger in the WorkplaceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-5110833567087609962010-09-04T03:49:29.136-05:002010-09-04T03:49:29.136-05:00My condolences to Mr. Fosdick's family and fri...My condolences to Mr. Fosdick's family and friends.<br /><br />I work for Metrorail, the Washington, D.C. subway system. We have had several employees killed on the job in the last few years. The most recent accident, in January of this year, killed two of my immediate coworkers and was the direct result of gross negligence by Metro. <br /><br />Many people are under the impression that the family of an employee who is killed on the job can sue the employer. What we discovered is that the family of the deceased cannot sue the company or the employees responsible as long as the company carries workers' comp (WC) insurance. We also found out that WC benefits vary tremendously from state to state. In Maryland for example, benefits are capped at $75,000 if the spouse/dependent is determined to be "partially dependent". Apparently earning even a few thousand dollars per year as a substitute teacher is enough to get classified as partially dependent. D.C. on the other hand makes no distinction between 'fully' and 'partially' dependent and benefits are not capped. The attorney who represents the widow of one of my coworkers was able to convince an administrative law judge that her benefits should come from D.C., but others were not so lucky.<br /><br />I posted a comment about our experience at a Maryland OSHA (MOSH) "informal conference" (we were invited and then locked out) on our union's Google group website: http://groups.google.com/group/atu-local-689. It was read by a GWU professor named Celeste Monforton who suggested that my coworkers' widows might find the following group helpful: www.usmwf.org. It is a support and activist group of family members who have lost loved ones from workplace fatalities and employer negligence called United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities.<br /><br />In my opinion, the laws governing workers' comp insurance should be uniform from state to state, and the families of employees who are killed on the job should be fairly compensated.sajohnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488313429539581982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-74381235648818893032010-09-03T05:54:50.181-05:002010-09-03T05:54:50.181-05:00Thank you for the heart-warming blog. I saw you s...Thank you for the heart-warming blog. I saw you speaking with my brother and mother while the rest of the family was speaking with the Dean.<br />We were very touched to hear that your eyes filled with tears as my brother and mother shared Tom's story with you.<br /><br />God bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-12601616150064135682010-09-02T08:32:27.924-05:002010-09-02T08:32:27.924-05:00I want to thank you for your comments, to the Gaze...I want to thank you for your comments, to the Gazette article "Worker dies from incident at Iowa law building". Through that I found your Blog. I didn't know Mr. Fosdick but my Father owned a Contruction Company, and contracted, sub contracted and worked many long days to make Cedar Rapids, and other areas of America what they are today.<br />I have always appreciated the hardwork, my Father, did over the years but he never recieved the accolades that a true soldier recieves BUT he was proud when a job was complete and he made sure his men(employees)recieved recognition.<br />I am babbling but thank you so much for taking time to connect with these workers. I am going to make sure I take time to say thank you, to those who risk their lives daily to make America what is today.Amy Gradovillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-70308271442240663312010-09-01T21:52:41.229-05:002010-09-01T21:52:41.229-05:00You spoke with my father and grandmother today whi...You spoke with my father and grandmother today while the rest of the family was inside talking to the dean. They later told us of your kind words and concern for my uncle. You have no idea how much this meant to us. It is very comforting to know that he touched many lives, and now he has touched a few more with his gifts to the organ recipients. Thank you for letting us know how he touched your life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com