To the Editor:
I would like to let the people of Allegany and Garrett counties know about my experience with workers compensation.
My whole life changed forever on April 17, 2007, when my husband, Dale Jones, and his co-worker, Mike Wilt, were killed when a high wall fell on them while they were working.
About a week after the funeral we were called to Tri-Star office to meet with Rockwell Insurance Company. My appointment was in the afternoon and Mrs. Wilt had an appointment in the morning.
I was told I would receive $60,000 from workers compensation because I was a partial dependent since I work at ADR and make $26,000 a year. Mrs. Wilt worked part time at Subway but was clarified as fully dependent and would receive a check for the rest of her life. I have no problem in regards to the outcome with Mrs. Wilt.
I was very upset about this and contacted Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly.
I could not understand how two men who died the same way could have two widows with one getting paid $60,000 for her husband's life and the other getting paid the rest of her life for her husband's death which could end up being well over a million dollars.
I feel like my husband has been slapped in the face again and that his life has meant nothing to these people. My husband worked for 17 years at Tri-Star, and for what?
The life insurance at work was for $10,000, and if you had an accident you received $20,000.
In the spring, Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly fought in session to get this changed.
The insurance companies attending assured them I had been taken care of and did not need to do anything about this issue. They were able to get partial dependency increased to $75,000. The insurance company has until December 2009 to turn in some figures.
On July 1, 2009, the increase was to take effect, but I did not receive my check. I filed for another hearing, and my lawyer had to write to the commissioner at workers compensation. Finally in October 2009, I received a letter ordering Rockwell Insurance Company to pay me my extra money.
On Oct. 24, 2009, I received my check. I just do not understand why a person who lost a spouse would not fight for this injustice of money.
I feel that if two men died side by side, then one man's life is not more valuable than the other and should be treated the same and paid the same.
If there has to be a difference in partial dependency, then you should receive half of the check you receive bi-weekly for life, This would seem to be fair to the widows, so please let your delegates and senators know you want this changed.
If we all join together we can change this workers compensation issue and my husband Dale Jones would not have died in vain for no reason at all.
Linda Jones
Lonaconing
