Comp News - Injured Workers Stories

Jesse Ceniceros

2009-06-03T20:17:00Z

"I worked as a Lockheed mechanic for 19 years. I was at the top of my profession. Ten years ago this week I was injured on the job. Now, I can barely stand or walk far, or even play with my grand kids. The insurance company won't even pay for a 'scooter' so I can get out of the house!"

About Me: My name is Jesse Ceniceros. I am 55 years old and live in Bloomington, near Fontana, in San Bernardino County.

My Family: I have a wife, Bea, and two grown children.

My Job and What Happened: I worked as a Hydraulic and Development Mechanic for Lockheed Martin for 19 years. I was at the top of my profession. On March 10, 1999, as I climbed into an electrical cart at work, I heard my left knee pop. An MRI showed a torn meniscus. Knee surgery was recommended and performed. Since the surgery, I have had more problems than before. My left knee is now more sensitive to weight-bearing. I now have problems in my right leg, back and hips. My doctor recommends that I have a bilateral hip replacement. I take a number of medications to try to get through the day. I am still in constant pain daily.

Click here to read more of Jesse's story.

Stephen Mallen

2009-04-27T18:19:00Z

"I fractured my back when a stage fell on me during the take down of a Madonna concert. The company doctor gave me pain pills and told me to 'move on.' I'm in pain constantly; I feel as if an ice pick is stuck in my back. I've lost everything I had."

I worked as a Stage Hand, doing what's called "grip" work. I specialize in rigging and lighting. I set up and take down sets and stages and work live shows. On June 3, 2006, I was under a stage after a Madonna concert, coiling up cables. One of the jacks holding up the stage suddenly failed, and the stage collapsed - with me under it. I was lucky to get my head out of the way, but fractured my back. I was wheel chaired into the emergency room. The company's doctor just sent me home with some medications and told me to take it easy for a few days. The pain got worse and worse. I couldn't work due to the pain. The company's doctor sends me to physical therapy, which doesn't help. The doctor tells me to "move on." I've asked for a referral to see a psychological counselor and other specialists, but AIG refuses to respond. The neutral doctor states that surgery in the future may be needed.

Click here to read the rest of his story.

Cari Cole

2009-02-20T20:55:00Z

I was working my dream job as a Motorcycle Technician. One day, in the course of my work, I was running a test of a new motorcycle. As I was riding on the freeway, a truck swerved and hit me. I was going 50 mph and went head-first into the guardrail. I suffered a traumatic brain injury. My face was shattered from my jaw on up. My nose was gone, and my eye orbitals were crushed. I broke my right humerus, which is the bone in my upper arm, and severed seven centimeters of my radial nerve. I also injured my shoulder, neck & upper back. I have had three surgeries on my arm and three tendon transfers. I have trouble with my memory. I am in constant pain. Surgery to reconstruct my face has been delayed. Despite the recommendation of an Agreed Medical Examiner, I had not had any cognitive therapy until recently. It took a whole year before I was approved to see an opthamologist. I have lost part of my peripheral vision in my right eye. My occupational therapy was stopped because the insurer has failed to pay for it. I have now lost most of the range of motion in my right arm. My in-home health care is regularly delayed, which includes ride service. I then cannot get to any of my medical appointments because I can no longer drive. Every therapy session I miss just sets my recovery back one more step.

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Bob Schoenstein

2009-02-10T14:44:00Z

I worked as a truck driver for 27 years. In April of 2005, as I was preparing a load in the back of the truck, the roll-up door malfunctioned and rolled up. The strap was hanging down, and the only way for me to close the door was to jump up & grab the strap. I did, but the door didn't budge. I felt something pull in my back. When I awoke the next morning, I couldn't walk. I went to the doctor and all they wanted to do was give me pain pills. Later I found out I had two herniated discs. I tried to return to work at a different job, but it was physically impossible with my injuries. The doctor told me there isn't much that can be done about my back, except to have a complete back fusion, which is very risky, and not a certain cure. I'm in constant pain. I complained of migraines and shoulder pain and they shrugged it off as being associated with the back injury. Then an MRI found a four centimeter tear in my rotator cuff. This was found two years after my injury. The damage was very extensive. I recently had surgery that repaired the rotator cuff. The insurer would not authorize antibiotics and sent me home without them. Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Bill Parkin

2008-12-10T16:17:00Z

I assumed the State of California would back me up if I were injured on my job as a CHP Officer. Boy was I wrong. I put my health and safety at risk to protect the people of California. Where is the protection that workers comp insurance promised me?

I worked as a California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer for 10 years. I loved my job, and always assumed that the State of California would back me up if I were injured on the job. In July 2006, a 115 degree summer day, I made many roadside assists for stranded motorists, multiple traffic stops, responded to traffic collisions and cleared debris from the highway. I was in and out of the car all shift. I woke up the next day and could barely walk. My knee was injured from the accumulated work.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Celso Cortez

2008-12-10T16:16:00Z

I lost my leg and both feet due to the insurance company's denial of my claim and delay of treatment. Now, I'm about to lose my home due to the governorʼs disability compensation cuts.

I worked for 22 years as a lead technician and assembler, making fuel system and hydraulic parts. My job required me to wear steel-toed shoes to protect my feet. In 2000, I developed an ulcer on my left little toe from my boots. The insurer denied that my claim was work-related. I had to fight for months for medical treatment. During that time the ulcer infected my leg, which then had to be amputated below the knee. After the operation, I suffered a heart attack. The insurer again denied my claim for medical care and benefits. Due to the complications from surgery, I also lost the toes on my right foot to amputation.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Coleen Delvecchio

2008-12-10T16:11:00Z

I worked as an Account Supervisor for an advertising agency for 15 years. While working at a promotional event in June 2004, I had to lift several product stands without any help. I ruptured a disc in my back. In May 2005, I underwent surgery, and my failed disc was replaced with an artificial disc, which has also since failed. Another surgery was recommended by my doctor, but has been denied twice by the insurance carrier. My nerves are badly damaged. I wanted to return to my old job, but was forced out, with my employer telling me there was no position for me.

I didn’t become permanently disabled for life by choice. But I have to deal with the cards I have been dealt. I don’t understand how our governor and the insurance companies can take a disabled person like myself, cut off ALL financial aide and basically sentence me to homelessness, bankruptcy and the loss of everything I have worked so hard for.

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Dianne Fitzpatrick

2008-12-10T16:09:00Z

I was a schoolteacher for many years. I loved my job. There is no better feeling than having a positive impact on children and seeing them respond and grow. But in December 2001, I was trying to remove a disruptive student from the class. I stretched out my hands to the student, who grabbed my hands and pulled me straight down towards the floor. I felt immediate sharp back pain, shooting up my spine, down both hips and into my knees. As I was falling forward, I grabbed onto a cabinet, but I landed hard on the floor anyway. I suffered multiple compression fractures in my back.

The insurer denied medical care, cut off temporary disability, and cut my disability compensation nearly in half due to low bone density that all middle-aged women have.

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Dolores Turner

2008-12-10T16:08:00Z

I was a deputy district attorney, a felony trial prosecutor, for Los Angeles County, assigned to the Long Beach Court. The Court is in disrepair, and soon after I arrived, work was begun on the escalators. The escalators began to suddenly stop when people were on them. Once, the escalator free-fell several feet. Discs were herniated in my neck, and my middle and lower back. I returned to work after two days, not knowing how injured I was. I was told I was "sprained." Months later, a security guard pressed the emergency stop at closing time, with me the only rider. I was yanked left while my right hand remained locked on the rail. My injuries included a massive, sideways spinal curve; a neck bone that splintered, pressing onto my nerves; and a fragmented disc at the sciatic nerve. After four spinal surgeries, 11 of my 24 vertebrae are fused with titanium rods, bolts and a plate in my neck.

Iʼve lost my career in law enforcement. Iʼve had four back surgeries and my jaw hinges are disintegrating after ʻbiting the bulletʼ in pain for ten years. No treatment for my jaw has been approved, although the approved doctor said workersʼ comp. must pay for care.

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Erica Domen

2008-12-10T16:07:00Z

I worked at the Hershey’s factory as a Machine Operator/ Sanitation relief worker. On March 24, 2007, while cleaning the batter machine that grinds chocolate crumbs to powder, another employee accidently turned on the power to the machine. The rotating paddle severed my left arm at the shoulder. My life was changed in an instant.

I’ve lost my job. I used to do martial arts and hula dancing, but am unable to do them anymore. I loved to cook, and that is very difficult now. I am very limited in activities and get discouraged very easily. I do not have any help with daily living. The insurance carrier refuses to pay my mother to be my caregiver, and my husband does not qualify as a caregiver. My husband has had to cut his work hours to part time to help me at home and drive me to my numerous medical appointments. I was making $40,000 and now I am subsisting on $230 per week. Is that all I am worth?

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Erik Neuman

2008-12-10T16:05:00Z

I am a Deputy Sheriff for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Dept. I have a degree in Law Enforcement and was a detective in the anti-gang unit of the department. On December 8, 2004, I was undergoing sniper training with three other deputies. I was walking down the shooting range when another deputy accidentally discharged his weapon. The bullet hit my leg from behind and shattered my quadriceps, femur and femoral artery. I was helicoptered to the hospital and underwent surgery to amputate my leg above the knee. I've since returned to work as a deputy doing desk work. I can't do field work.

I was a detective doing anti-gang work until the day I was shot at work. I lost my leg, and my ability to do field police work. I can't play ball with my son, Evan, or even carry my daughter, Emily, up to bed after she falls asleep. I have to pay others to do everyday things I used to do myself.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Fabian Ramirez

2008-12-10T16:04:00Z

I worked 18 years for an aerospace industry company, BodyCote International. We provided metal services to airlines like Boeing and Northrop. In August 2004, I was driving a forklift, moving parts from one area to another, when I suddenly felt sharp pain and burning in my left leg. I tried to ignore the pain, but it kept getting worse, until I could barely get out of the forklift. I went to the doctor, who found 6 damaged disks in my back - 4 of them herniated.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Gary Woodford

2008-12-10T16:03:00Z

I worked for 26 years for C&S Propellers in Glendale. I worked assembling and installing propellers on military and civilian aircraft. My job required me to lift propeller assemblies that weighed over 100 pounds. On April 4, 2004, I was lifting a propeller assembly dome, weighing 125 to 150 pounds, for a C 130 military plane into place so I could install it. I felt a sharp pain in my back and had to stop. I called my coworker for help. I had injured two discs, which were pressing on my spinal cord. My life hasn’t been the same since.

After 20 years installing propellers, I hurt my back. The company wanted me to pretend it happened off the job. The company fired me, cutting off my medical insurance. Now, the insurance company wants to keep almost all my permanent disability compensation.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Gloria Navarro

2008-12-10T16:02:00Z

I worked as a Nurse’s Aide, providing home support to people with disabilities. I began this work taking care of my husband during his illness, and then my brother. I enjoyed my work and felt valuable in helping sick individuals navigate their homes and live more fully. On Sept. 23, 2002, I was on the first day helping a new client, Linda, a diabetic. We were on her back patio and I stepped on a loose board that caused me to fall off the patio. I landed face first on a glass table, and then fell to the ground. I hit my head, my teeth, my hips and legs. I tore a tendon and ligament. I broke the bone in my left ankle, chipped a tooth and injured my hip and leg. Had the glass in the table broken, it likely would have severed my neck. I have been in pain ever since. I couldn’t move my toes. I’ve had surgery on my ankle twice.

I’ll never work again, but am to receive just $2,940 for my permanent disabilities and lost wages.

Read the rest of her story: (Please visit the site to view this media)

Greg Parr

2008-12-10T16:00:00Z

I fell and broke my elbow at work, also injuring my shoulder. The insurance carrier has denied treatment for my elbow, because my claim used the word ‘arm’ instead of 'ulna.' I am a single father, have diabetes and have lost my job and my sight in one eye since this injury at work.

Read the rest of his story: (Please visit the site to view this media)