Worker’ Compensation Benefits Denied to Women injured during Pre-Job Physical Exam

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that a woman, who sustained injuries during physical examination conducted as a part of a job pre-requisite, is not entitled to worker’s compensation benefits, as reported by businessinsurance.com. 

You have to get the job first before you can sue and make money!

Court records indicate that Michele Rahla applied for the position of registration Clerk at the Bowling Green Medical Center in Kentucky. During the interview process she was told that she would be considered for the job if she clears a physical examination along with a substance-abuse test. The exam was conducted on 3^rd of Feb 2012 when she was told to lift some weights between 10 and 61 pounds. This was done to check whether she will be able to fulfill the physical demands of the job.

Ms. Rahla suffered severe neck pain during the examination but did not inform the person conducting the examination, which is one mistake that Lexington, KY workers’ compensation lawyers suggest that one should never make after a workplace accident that causes injuries. She was hired later for the position. She joined this department three weeks after the interview but she was forced to take medical leave because of a neck injury for which she underwent surgery. Due to her long absence from work she was terminated from her job.

Apparently she should not have ever obtained the position in the first place since she really failed the physical examination. Even some grocery bags way almost 10 pounds.

When she filed for worker’s compensation benefits with the center her claim was denied. The center claimed that at the time of her injuries she was not an employee. An administrative law judge also sided with the center’s views. After these denials she filed for a hearing with the Kentucky Worker’s compensation board. The board too affirmed the judge’s ruling. According to Lexington, KY workers’ compensation lawyers following the case she then took the matter to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Greed has no end in sight.

How do you even expect to get paid? You were never even a real employee.

The Supreme Court said that there was no record to indicate that she was an employee of the center at the time of the injury and so she is not entitled to any compensation. 

$348,000 Incentive for Retired Community College President

The Gateway Foundation has decided to reward an incentive of $348,000 to former President of Kentucky Community and Technical College, G. Edward Hughes, for his accomplishments, efforts, and abilities. He used to get a regular base salary of $177,463 per year together with an allowance of $22,000 extra. Lexington, Kentucky workers’ compensation attorneys believe this sounds a little lavish.

The 2014 incentive plan has only been made public recently and has drawn flak from several quarters because in the recent years the college has faced several cash crunches that had resulted in declining enrollment and budget cuts, as reported by Kentucky.com.

So explain yourself The Gateway Foundation!

Joe Meyer who served as Secretary from 2009 to 2013 of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet of Kentucky called the move ‘stunning’. Meyer said that this move poses serious questions about their fundraising efforts. Meyer further says it is doubtful whether the fundraising was done for the college or for the personal enrichment of a particular individual.

The Gateway Foundation functions as an independent wing of the college. Its main job is to raise funds and awareness for the college. According to the last audited financial report the foundation has $2 million in funds.

Jeff Groob, who acts as the president of the college’s board of directors, said that he had no knowledge of the payment. He had earlier vehemently clashed with Hughes for his spending and his low performance. He said that the funds could have been used to provide scholarships to students. Groob seems to be right on this one!

A Website that can Lead You in the Right Direction

If you are injured at the workplace and continue to face delays and denials from the insurance company, it is time to speak with a Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyer. This will force your employer and his insurer to take notice of your claim and help you get your compensation more promptly. But you should always remember that you get more flies with honey, less with vinegar. Even in a lawsuit this holds true.  

Click right here: Workers-Comp.USAttorneys. If you are hurt on the job doing something you were supposed to do, you should be paid. And worker’s comp should not be an ordeal either to obtain.