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CLIENT
STORIES
In twenty years of practicing
personal injury law, we at Kantrovitz and Associates have learned that no
two cases are the same. While every employee has a different experience that
leads them to search for a lawyer, we approach and follow-through on each
case with the same attention as we did our first. Our clients have some
remarkable stories, and it has been our honor to help right the wrongs that
have been done to them. As you read their stories, remember that you too
have rights, and you are not alone - you deserve the help of a qualified and
dedicated attorney.
Consider this employee’s story:
Keith was a nine-year employee at a
steel company. He suffered a hernia at work in October 2004. Keith had
multiple significant neck injuries in the past with this employer, the most
recent of which was about a year ago. Keith’s employer advised him not to
report this neck injury as a worker’s compensation injury, and promised they
would take care of him. He has been treating consistently for the nerve
damage sustained with neurologists in both Boston and Andover.
This fall, Keith had hernia surgery
and was cleared by his doctor to attempt to return to work, first on a light
duty basis, then on a trial unrestricted basis. He returned to regular duty
on Monday December 6th under serious pressure from his employer. Throughout
the week, he felt a burning sensation at the site of the surgery. He was
told on Friday, December 10th, that his services would no longer be
required.
Apparently, Keith’s company had two
divisions, and they were consolidating the two into one. By getting him to
return to work full duty, off of worker’s compensation, they were able to
let him, a nine year employee, go under the guise of workplace necessity,
two weeks before Christmas.
In his own words:
“It is getting much worse day
by day trying to cope with this life-shattering situation. I have been
sleeping on the couch for the past two nights, because my wife goes to
bed bawling her eyes out, complaining of bad chest pains. I have not
been sleeping [or] eating, and have been throwing up for the past three
days.
I have also tried to seek help
through Psychiatry but every person I called is too busy or does not
take my insurance plan. With my insurance running out in 4 more weeks,
my family is quickly feeling the pressure of this whole ordeal more and
more every day.
I am losing my mind thinking
about how I was forced to stay at such an abusive work environment, but
it all boils down to what the Vice President…promised the last two times
he gave me a raise. He said, “Keith, I am giving you enough money per
week so you will never need to leave and will never be able to make this
much money anywhere else.” I could not bite the hand that fed me and put
my total trust and future in his hands.
My life will suck from this
point on and I feel the saddest for my family. I sometimes wish my wife
had married a person that did not put her through all this pain and
anguish. My life is in turmoil, all because of a bully company that took
full advantage of me and my need for a secure future. I sit here with a
broken heart and so many injuries to my body pouring tears of grief onto
my computer.
How could anyone in business be
so cruel to an employee that has helped change the face of their
business? I was responsible for the growth and good fortune they once
had. It is he that has lost hold of the future of the business.
Thank you for your help.
Hopefully you will be able to show my family this is not the end of our
lives, and that my wife does not need to bring back all our Christmas
gifts.”
- Keith D., December 2004
Unfortunately Keith’s story isn’t
unusual. Another story to consider:
John B. contacted Kantrovitz and
Associates in July 2004, but his troubles began months before. For more than
20 years, since graduating from High School, John B. has worked as an
electrician, starting as an apprentice, making his way to journeyman and
becoming a master.
In April 2004, John B. was working
on an apartment construction project in Quincy, MA. The company was
installing parking lot pole lights. While lifting ehse heavy units, John
experienced low back pain. He assumed it was just a strain and continued to
work. On the same project in May 2004, John was lifting 750 MCM Copper
cable, very heavy material, when he again felt a strain in his low back. He
did his best to ignore the pain and continued working.
John never reported either of these
injuries, because he did not want to cause any problems for his employer.
On June 16, 2004 John was
installing range receptacles in several units of the same property when he
felt an acute strain in his back. This time the pain was too severe to
continue working. He was out of work for six days. His doctor wanted him to
undergo a neurological evaluation and stay out of work, but John wanted to
try to go back to work.
He returned to work restricted to
light duty, and was let go on July 2, 2004. Though doctor’s notes, physical
therapy notes and an MRI showed the seriousness of John’s condition, the
insurer refused to pick up the claim. This is a situation that we see a lot
of – employees trying to do the right thing, working through pain, and
putting themselves at risk, who are manipulated or discarded by their
employers.
We filed for benefits immediately
on his behalf, sped up the process by requesting a speedy conference due to
hardship, and John was placed on retroactive benefits, and able to have
major back surgery.
We could fill a library with
stories of hardships our clients have experienced. Fortunately, they, like
Keith and John, have sought the help of a qualified attorney, and
their stories have happy endings. Yours can too.
Contact Kantrovitz
and Associates today for an in-depth evaluation of your case.
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