workers Compensation Failure to pay.

Hi there everyone!!

My name David and this is my story.

Until November 9 last year I was a hard working individual I was holding down 2 jobs I was at Semi (prime mover) driver in the day around my city of Perth Western Australia and night filler at a department store at night. 

I developed severe ankle pain in my right ankle, when pushing the brake peddle in the company truck, and went to see the company doctor. The doctor took 2 months to write a report, in which I could not do driving work, and caused a lot of heart ache over the holiday period. I had only a small income over that time and I was supposed to meet people in another city for the holidays, but that was canceled due to the new money problem.

The doctor finally wrote a report in January and was received by the insurance office on the 8th of Jan 2014, but it was a denial that I had anything wrong with me, despite the scans I submitted that said the contrary.  The insurance company said I was not entitled to workers compensation, and I was then out of work, apart from my casual top up job at the department store 4 hrs a night 5 nights a week.

I used all my savings up to this period seeing specialist’s and other doctors to find out what the problem was, as well as the cost of living rent, food, insurance etc. 

Now I am faced with not being able to go back to driving and have no other skills at 44 and am having to apply to the arbitration court to get the compensation I deserve and am rightfully entitled to. I am not yet married and would like to still. 

I have worked hard at getting ready to apply to the court, as specialist’s don't see you for a couple of months at a time, and x rays and MRI's etc. I have 3 high ranking specialist’s agreeing with me I have a work related injury, which out rank the previous company Dr's findings. That would mean that my case is sure to win as the insurance company has only 1 to 3 ratio of professional opinion.

I am blessed enough to find a no win no fee lawyer which means I have no up front costs. But I still have to fight to receive my rightful compensation. The case will stay at the arbitration court, it only depends if the insurance company want a quick settlement or to drag it out as long as they can. That I can not answer and is up to the insurance company.

I have applied to some local charities around town to help, and they have. But you can only apply once every 6 to 12 months. I have wrote to my land lord and ask her to be patient, but I am running out of time and options and other living costs are stacking up.

My other job at the supermarket, I am on light duties due to straining my knee lifting and twisting goods as my normal work, which means less income. I have also just learned in my last ultrasound scan I have a double inguinal hernia on the both sides from working to hard. My future looks very dark at the moment, it looks like it means I can't do this work anymore. I already had a previous surgery in 1998.

I only get $320 - $400 a week from my supermarket job at the moment depending on the amount of hours given, last week I was only allowed 2 shifts pending further Dr reports on my knee, so that is furthering my pain monetarily. My rent is good for where I live only, $260 a week to have a roof over my head, I never thought things could get this bad. 

It is my hope that people out there who have a good income like I used to, could understand that something similar could happen to you anytime. I know it is hard to notice others when you work 18 hrs a day as I have been there. So if you could spare anything at all, your karma will pay you back for sure.

My other hope is that when I win the case, I will use the money to pay the bills and pay my rent in advance for 6 months or so, get the medical treatment I need, do healing time and then retrain myself for some work that is not to heavy on my body. I am interested in natural therapies training, and may apply for training: see http://www.endeavour.edu.au/campuses/perth/.  They also may assist in the healing process. 

My dream now after thinking about what I want to do since I can't do my normal jobs, is to open a little healing house / clinic in or close to Ubud Bali, only 3 & a half hours flight from Perth, where people can actually afford to try different modalities of healing that actually work. I would be able to set up less than a third of the price here and the costs are lower.

Perhaps you can help my dream come true, I would then love to meet you in Bali when you come for your next holiday in paradise.

This is my first time on this site, and so I just thought I would give it a go, it was recommended by a friend, as I have nothing to lose except my pride. If this is successful, I will keep everyone posted on my progress and may put in another bid, to continue my goals previously mentioned. I have left the funding open so if you can sponsor me for what ever you can, I would be so grateful.

Thank you so much in advance, I know there is a lot of good people out there, I am believing you are one of them. Thank you!!!