semi-daily journal of my thoughts and feelings(hopefully) On my life living in the Rocky Mountains...
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| rkymtnmusings semi-daily journal of my thoughts and feelings(hopefully) On my life living in the Rocky Mountains... .
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8/25/2004 Hi, Gang !I know it has been a long time! I'm baaaack !!!. The reason I have been out of touch is because of "complications" due to my fall and the subsequent injuries I incurred. Not so much physical injury as much as legal, political,and well, in my opinion -and, in all honesty, this seems to be the only place I can freely state my opinion - moral. I was being treated for my physical injuries as best as could be expected, but I made a mistake to complain to the "powers that be" about the location that I fell, because the problem was never really remedied, and I felt it was only a matter of time before another accident occured. My concerns were rewarded by subsequently being dropped by my insurance company, Rocky Mountain Health Plans as far as these injuries are concerned, referred to Colorado Workman's Compensation, who proceeded to deny my claim, and because the "claim" affects my employer, have recieved not a little bit of static and hard feelings at the workplace. Now I am forced to refile my "claim" , and will have to "represent" myself at a hearing in front a judge, after a cram course teaching myself Colorado compensation laws. Frankly, I thought this sucked ! I was feeling all alone (Wahhh !!! ) and lonely. My family is fed up, and has no qualms expressing it, but I can't blame them...I get grouchy after working 8+ hours and coming home in pain. But tossing and turning in bed (the closest thing I come to sleep, it seems) I realized that I do have friends that care ! ...well...at least virtual aquaintances that listen to me...sometimes... Sooo, I thought I'd post the letter that caused all the turmoil in the first place, and as I go through this continuing saga, post some of my other correspondence, as well as photos and any other semi-pertinent information in my blog -let say that again- MY BLOG- and get your opinion... Well, I'm going to open this up for discussion, hope to here from you soon, and it sure is good to be back !!! David Monday, May 17, 2004 To Whom It May Concern: My name is David Lee Hale. I am 52, married for nineteen years, and have five children, three of which are still living at home. I have been a resident of Grand County for twelve years, and have been employed at Grand Woodworks in Tabernash for nine years. On the morning of Jan. 27, 2003, I was walking from my car in the parking lot at Grand Woodworks to the shop, when I slipped and fell on a sheet of ice that had been covered with about two inches of snow. I went immediately to Granby Medical Center's emergancy room, where I was x-rayed and diagnosed with a separated/dislocated shoulder, fitted with a sling to restrict movement, and released. On Feb. 10, 2003, having not seen any improvement in my arm, i went to see my family physician, Dr. Marc Rojec . Dr. Rojec took me out of the sling, hoping movement would help. Since that time I have seen Dr.Rojec a number of times, Have gone through physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, acupunture, two sets of steriod injections to my 5th and 6th spinal discs, all to no avail. I am currently seeing a spine specialist, and facing surgery, but until this moment have found no relief from my injuries. The reason I am writing this is that it has been brought to my attention that the spot that I slipped, fell, and recieved my injury, is the exact spot that, in the late summer or fall of 2002, a sewage pipe was installed. Apparently there has been more than a few problems with the installation of this pipeline. Not long after my accident, they had to excavate and repair the pipe due to damage from "settling". At the time of my accident, apparently raw sewage had been leaking. To this day, there is water seeping up from the pipe, apparently ground water coming up at that point. I have been told that they are going to be working on this problem in the near future. I walk by that sinkhole every day I go to work. Every day I am constantly reminded of the cronic pain I indure, the loss of wages incurred because of doctor's appointments and days missed because of the pain. I am reminded of the huge amount of out-of-pocket expenses I am paying, and the financial burden that puts on my family and how it affects them. And I think about the even bigger dollar amount that is passed on to my insurance company, how even that affects my fellow employees, and potentially many more people because of rising insurance rates. I have to wonder, and believe me, I have more than my share of sleepless nights to ponder this, is this fair ? Should I, and many others, especially my family, be affected to such a degree...because of someone else's shoddy workmanship ? The company that did this work has even been awarded other work in Grand County, including the building of a pedestrian underpass At Highway 40 and the Y.M.C.A. entrance. I shudder to think of the consequences if the work there is as poor as the work that, in my opinion, caused my injuries... With all sincerity David Lee Hale Lurline Underbrink Curran, County Manager Dear Lurline, In referece to my last letter to you dated May 17,2004, I first would like to apologize. My letter was first penned as a “letter to the editor” thought process. In hindsight, I think I should have put more thought into it...At any rate, out of respect for you and the work you have done for our county. I sent it to you individually. I must sincerly apologize if I gave you any impression but frustration and concern about the ongoing problems at the lift station located on the western edge of Grand Woodworks parking lot. I understand completely that you have no legal responsibility for the injuries I incurred on January 27, 2003. I still have some concern that some problems have been rectified,but that still others are ongoing... This, however, is not the reason I am writing you today. The reason I am writing you is that, since this letter was also forwarded to my insurance company, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, they have stopped coverage on this injury and referred me Worker’s Compensation, who have also denied me. In an effort to clarify who indeed is responsible for my injury, I am requesting, if it is a matter of public record, a timeline of some sort of the work that was performed from the time it was realized there was a problem with the sewer line running to the lift station up until this time, and if there are any fees needed to obtain this information.If it is not a matter of public record, could you please inform me what steps I might be able to take to obtain this information. Thank you for your time and efforts, Sincerely, David Lee Hale posted by David | 8/25/2004 06:44:00 PM
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