July 7, 2008

Why can I not contact my Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of New Brunswick caseworker via e-mail?

He said it is a government policy, but WHSCC is the only department or agency in the province of New Brunswick that does not have a listing of employees, or e-mail accessibility.

I find this to be of great concern!

The main focus of the entire department is based on open communications. There is even a special mailing address, an actual e-mail address, and WHSCC policy 21-419 that is entirely directed toward open communication.

My main available way to communicate is via e-mail. I feel I am being discriminated against. I have been injured at work and am now disabled. I have had the opportunity (in a treatment room at physiotherapy) to communicate with my caseworker only once. I have open communication via e-mail with my employer, and my doctor and physiotherapist are all within my range of travel. I can not physically drive to Bathurst or St. John without extreme pain. I do not use the telephone to communicate because the medication prescribed to me often leaves my thoughts unclear and my ability to comprehend somewhat challenged. When I have to use the phone, my wife usually talks for me, but she is not always here.

Now, due to the complete lack of accessible alternative communication, my compensation has been terminated. Yet my disability remains.

I can't understand how a government agency can have such little regard for people, making unjustified decisions behind an inaccessible barrier of red tape that could mean the injured employee losing everything! At least I was provided a pamphlet that explains how I can appeal the decision. At this time there is an approximate nine-month wait for an appeal hearing and a three-month wait for a decision (according to the Miramichi representative at 624-2125).

So here I sit, disabled due to a work-related injury, with a wife and four small children, with no means of employment or income. Will RBC wait a year for a mortgage payment? Will NB Power wait a year for a payment? Will the grocery store wait a year for payment? Will the pharmacy wait a year for payment? I guess when I get to the cash and they give me a total, I should just tell them I am not going to pay and hand them a pamphlet about how to appeal my decision!

Citizen of a supposed free country,

Peter Fitzpatrick

Miramichi