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My name is Marshall and I have been a proud Canadian my entire life. I know first hand there are a lot of good people with integrity whom care about other citizens here and worldwide. I would like start by acknowledging that my country is known for being welcoming and hospitable with an exceptional healthcare system and I do believe that assessment to be overall accurate. As with any country, there are issues that get hidden from public view and I would like to shine light on some, through sharing my experiences. I have been personally battling some of these issues for almost 4 years in Ontario, Canada. The laws, government, and union have failed to help me when I needed them most. I have continually asked for help from government officials and government regulated organizations, all whom redirected me rather then take action.
Along with raising awareness, I aim to restore some of my financial losses incurred since being injured at work. As my intention is to help others at the same time, I've chosen to donate up to half of all money raised through this Fund Razr to organizations and programs that help ensure injured patients get the care needed to recover. Also, to help those who are unable to afford advanced care as needed (including but not limited to those that helped me). I am now at a point where these circumstances have pressured me into extending and maxing all of my credit to it's limits. I was recently forced to sell my home as I could no longer afford to pay my bills as a single homeowner due to being denied my rights, benefits, and pay.
On July 22nd 2016, a mere day after my 29th birthday, I was crushed between thousands of pounds of steel while working as a shipper. A crane operator moved the crane without visually checking the slings or raising them, skipping basic safety procedures which would have prevented the incident. This resulted in me being crushed between pipe bundles while standing on top of stacked bundles. During my 7 years employed by that company, I had my life put at risk several times due to unsafe operators. (This picture is an example of a similar product for visual reference and is not from the company involved or intended to act as a representation or reenactment of incident)
My right leg suffered from impact damage, while my left leg
was crushed and pinned between thousands of pounds of steel. The crane
operator continued to drive the bundle forward, holding me there as I
yelled and pointed for him to move in the other direction. I was
helplessly pinned there for several seconds. Once the bundle of pipe
was removed and released from the crane, the operator told me he was
going to get help, then disappeared without returning. He left me
alone, hanging on for my life while attempting to prevent myself from
falling between the bundles. As my left leg was rendered useless due
the damage, there was a risk I could fall and die if I was unable to
hold on long enough. After being left alone for several minutes, I
knew no one was coming back for me. I took a risk by reaching into my
pocket for the company phone to call my lead hand and supervisor.
After making the calls, within 30 seconds a large amount of people
came to my assistance from the opposite direction the crane operator
went. Two of my lead hands helped to save my life by carrying me over
and passing me down to a crew on the floor, whom had to hold me
upright as they removed my coveralls and boots to take a look at my
leg. They then had an employee drive me to the hospital rather then
call an ambulance. Once at the hospital I was rushed through which
resulted in the damage being completely misdiagnosed. They requested
that I return in two weeks and sent me home without performing
adequate testing.
My employer tried to pressure me back to work the next business day after the injury. They threatened to tell insurance not to cover me, even though I was unable to walk, stand, drive, or move my left leg at all. I was in the worst pain of my life due to the trauma my leg was suffering from. As I was unable to leave my house, the company sent the head of safety to my home whom gave me a letter indicating they were denying my claim and would be informing insurance that I refused suitable work. The head of safety commented how the crane operator that injured me has had several other incidents reported and would be taken out of the crane, as he was known to be a major safety hazard. That operator was never removed and continued to operate in an unsafe manner (I'll expand more on this later).
After returning to the hospital, they confirmed my injury was not diagnosed properly on the day of the incident. I was informed of serious negative impacts as a result of the misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. This would include additional recovery time needed, significantly more pain during the recovery process, and the need to slowly stretch the tendon to regain range of motion after surgery. I was informed that after the surgery I would require immediate physiotherapy to help me adjust to bedridden life, as I would be stuck in bed for months. I was denied/delayed coverage for physiotherapy which caused severe and alarming breathing pains. After dialing 911, an ambulance team came and struggled to remove me from my bed in order to transport me. Fortunately, the hospitals assessment found that my chest muscles had being over-stressed and the issue was not with my breathing. Unfortunately, that confirmed those pains and hospital visit could have been prevented if I received proper medical coverage. After that hospitals diagnosis, an outside agency provided me with limited home physiotherapy. Although it was less then the recommended frequency, they were able to assist while my insurance had still failed to help. I will be forever grateful to that program, as my insurance had not provided any medical services or devices until 5-6 months after injury. I was unable to receive physiotherapy, wheelchair, walker, or a cane in adequate time. Insurance had started trying to force me back to work in November 2016, prior to paying for any services or devices to my knowledge. My insurance sent me to their referred doctor in December 2016 whom easily assessed that I was in no condition to return to work and recommended increased physiotherapy frequency. Only at this time did insurance start paying for any treatment, which was limited to extremely short sessions. My physiotherapist saw my dedication and graciously gave me extra monitored time before/after sessions for free.
After being outrageously threatened with pay loss for months, my pay was cut in February 2017 for not disobeying my surgeons orders. At that time it was recommended for me to continue my recovery full time at home, only leaving for medical appointments such as physiotherapy. The doctor whom was referred by the insurance company submitted a fraudulent document approving me to return to work, which directly apposed his assessment during our appointment. He had warned me how it was critical for me to stay home, stating that returning to work prematurely would put me at high risk of needing another surgery, which may be otherwise unnecessary. As as single homeowner living alone, I was forced to return to work shortly after losing pay. I was making excellent progress with my recovery in February 2017, reporting significant improvements in physiotherapy sessions on a weekly basis. Leading up to my return to work there were measured increases in range of movement from 4-8 degrees per week. After the first week of work, there was 0 degree improvement measured. It took 1.5 weeks to stretch out the next 1 degree increase of range of motion, which is firm evidence of immediate negative impact from early return. Rather then reduce my workload given those results, I was quickly pressured and forced back to full time hours and had my medical funding cut entirely. My physiotherapist told me she would be unable to help me reach my recovery goals and recommended I see another clinic that may be able to. I was grateful for her extra attention as I was often given up to an hour of monitored treatment while she was being paid for roughly 15 minute sessions. Insurance has cut all my benefits from spring 2017 to current date, as I have not received any reimbursement since switching to the next referred physiotherapist. I continue to finance my own treatment today, as we still witness bi-weekly improvements almost 1.5 years after being completely cut off by insurance. If I didn't finance my own treatment, I may have never been able to play sports again.
Upon initial assessment, the next physiotherapist confirmed my return to work was extremely premature. She immediately fought to reduce my work hours to accommodate the current recovery needs, as I had already been pushed to full time hours, performing modified work. My insurance, employer, and union each continually recognized multiple medical professional notes which requested additional treatment and recovery time throughout 2017. Despite my relentless efforts to fight for my rights and healthcare as a Canadian (while providing available paperwork), I have still not received minimum reimbursement or coverage. I estimate this discrimination as an injured worker and overall lack of coverage has cost me over $150 000. I have been a hard working Canadian my entire life and was able to own my home for 2 years before this crane operator crushed my leg and independence. Fortunately, my good credit, assets, and financial decisions have allowed me to prioritize my health and pay for my own recovery when these systems failed. I have reached out to dozens of law firms and legal aide clinics and have been turned away. Many of the offices informed me there will be no winning in my situation, regardless of how solid the case is. The existing situation was and remains, I am battling billionaires and they will ensure the court case will always cost more then any payout. After fighting this hard, I feel as if I should be representing more then just myself; as these corporations should not be allowed to continue this abuse. This is why I have not given up and have continued to battle this on my own, while attempting to prioritize health and safety despite the severe financial repercussions. My physiotherapist is continuing to monitor improvements in my leg (Fall 2018), despite the insurance referred doctor claiming maximum medical recovery was reached in 2017.
As mentioned I will expand to give a better concept of the unsafe conditions, which are tolerated and allowed to continue in the workplace where I was injured. The head of safety is also a union rep whom visited my home, once, after the injury. During his visit he advised me the crane operator whom injured me was dangerous and would be removed from the crane for obvious safety reasons. This crane operator was never removed despite continuing to cause more property damage as well as almost injure other workers. Upon returning to work I addressed these and other safety issues with management who continually dismissed my concerns. Things continued to get worse as my employer and union collectively discriminated against me as an injured worker. I was harassed about my injury by other employees, union reps, and management on an ongoing basis regarding my remaining physical deficiencies at the time. I was able to defend myself against the abuse as I am not a push over but it was coming from too many people. When reporting serious safety issues and infractions in attempt to prevent further incidents, matters would get overlooked and dismissed. Peoples lives and limbs were and are at risk, so I persisted that we needed to address these issues. Management continually refused to take reasonable action. In December 2017 my life was endangered again by another crane operator, whom I used to consider one of the companies best operators. This operator has a keen eye and knows the product and his departments very well and when paying attention, he is one of the best crane operators to work with. If I were to trust any crane operator in the company previously, it would have been this one. On December 1st 2017 he passed over my head with a load weighing up to thousands of pounds. This put my life at risk of being crushed from above, as cranes have accidentally dropped loads near me previously. I was also soaked with toxic coolant from the end of the bundle swinging over my head. There was a nearby lead hand that immediately dismissed the safety infractions and my concerns for my safety. After getting in several arguments regarding safety in 2017 on the shop floor, I had been instructed to bring issues to union or management. So, I waited in an office as advised, to speak to management. At the start of my next shift, the plant manager yelled at me for refusing obvious unsafe working conditions and told me 'If You Don't Like It, Go Home!" without any union representation. After arguing more about safety, I was sent home without pay. There have been multiple deaths at the company, perhaps some of them could have been prevented if safety was taken seriously. After personally witnessing the ongoing disregard for health and safety from the management and union, I felt no choice but to refuse unsafe work until they take reasonable action. I have not been offered safer accommodation since the last incident. Alternatively, the company informed me the operator whom endangered me on December 1st 2017 would remain in the crane position, meanwhile they've stopped paying me completely. There are many more examples to draw from, which is why employees are hurt so often working at that employer.
Today (Fall 2018) it has been over two years since my surgery, I am still making progress with my recovery and it seems I may get back to athletic health again. Continuing to heal my mind and body is a major focus in my life as I have been unable to escape this trauma. This treatment and denial of services has cost me an immeasurable amount of undue stress on my physical, psychological, and financial well being. After almost being killed at work multiple times (including being left for dead after a critical injury) I continued to make a strong effort to show up to work with a positive attitude and was taken advantage of. Despite my integrity and relentlessness, I can no longer continue to fight this cause alone. I would like to give back to those that helped me, as well as those whom continue to help others, although I currently no longer have the means to do so. This is why I have set up the perks to ensure that anyone who decides to help reimburse me will also be helping even more injured patients receive the medical care they deserve.
It has reached the point where I unwillingly needed to sell my house, which I owned for almost 4.5 years. Fortunately, I did have that asset previous to injury, which has allowed me to cover some losses. I have always been a proud Canadian and paid my taxes while enjoying the wonderful services that we are provided from them. I am sad to admit that I feel ashamed of my home province Ontario, knowing they allow this treatment. All the authorities I've contacted seemed to accept it as normal treatment in Ontario, Canada.
The system has failed me. I am hoping helpful Canadians and Worldwide donors may be generous enough to help me recover from this financial stress I've endured, since facing these losses as an injured worker. If citizens worldwide come together to help me, I plan to instantly pay it forward by donating some of the money from each contribution as described in the perks. There are many injured patients being denied coverage in Canada and I aim to help raise awareness. I also want to give back to the programs that currently go above and beyond to provide care to patients like myself in times they may otherwise be helpless. If we surpass the donation target and contributions keep coming in, it would be my pleasure to continue finding and funding others in need while spreading awareness for those not being heard. All support is appreciated and I give my word that I will pay it forward.
Thank you all for caring enough to take the time to read!
Perks
- 3 claimed
For every donation of $50 or more I will donate another $25 to a clinic and or program that assists patients recover - including but not limited to the ones that assisted me. I will redirect $27 - over half of this Fund Razr reimbursement - directly back to others in need, which I would be especially pleased to do if it helps create more awareness.
- 0 claimed
- 12 remaining
I will fly to a secure location within Canada or USA to meet and personally thank you for your support.
- 0 claimed
Contributions like yours are truly priceless. Many will benefit from your generosity. For every donation of $12500 I will donate another $500 to a clinic and or program that assists patients recover - including but not limited to the ones that assisted me. To Recap: I will donate a total of $1250 from this reimbursement directly into helping other injured patients, every time you attain this max perk. I would be especially pleased to do this, as it continues to raise awareness. Thanks for your support!
- 3 claimed
For every donation of $50 or more I will donate another $25 to a clinic and or program that assists patients recover - including but not limited to the ones that assisted me. I will redirect $27 - over half of this Fund Razr reimbursement - directly back to others in need, which I would be especially pleased to do if it helps create more awareness.
- 0 claimed
- 12 remaining
I will fly to a secure location within Canada or USA to meet and personally thank you for your support.
- 0 claimed
Contributions like yours are truly priceless. Many will benefit from your generosity. For every donation of $12500 I will donate another $500 to a clinic and or program that assists patients recover - including but not limited to the ones that assisted me. To Recap: I will donate a total of $1250 from this reimbursement directly into helping other injured patients, every time you attain this max perk. I would be especially pleased to do this, as it continues to raise awareness. Thanks for your support!
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