Still fighting after 20 years

Jason Emiry
Northern News Services

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Ivan Valic was recently in town to appeal a Supreme Court decision on his Worker's Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) case, which dates back to the 1980s.

He is seeking more money to pay expenses incurred during his 20-year fight.

Valic is seeking more money for injuries he suffered in 1987 during the construction of the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool.

He was denied permanent benefits in 2006 by the WSCC. He said he has received two settlements so far - $300,000 and $36,000.

In December 2006 a mediator was hired for Valic's case by the WSCC.

"They hired an undercover mediator without a translator, brought me to Calgary," he said. "I spent six days in a hotel in Calgary without a lawyer or mediator. Legal aid gave me a lawyer, but he was a WCB lawyer."

According to Valic, the WSCC is not recognizing the financial costs that he has incurred.

"I have bills for 21 years - lawyer, medication, transportation ... I want a proper judge who is concerned about what I am talking about with a translator," he said. "We should talk about the last 20 years. They have been denying everything for 20 years. They ask what the bills are for, but I don't remember (if) they are from 20 years ago. I've kept all my bills for the past 20 years and they should pay them."

In a series of appeals Valic is still trying to get more. He filed another appeal in July of a decision made by Justice Virginia Schuler on June 20, 2008.

"They have dragged it out," said Valic. "They gave me $36,000. What is $36,000? They said they don't know what the bills are for. My bills are $240 a month for medication. Where is my pension? How am I going to pay for that?"

He said he has suffered chronic pain for more than 20 years. Valic added that his illness and injuries have gotten worse.

"The WSCC was playing a game. They say it's chronic pain. It's the L4 and L5 discs in my back. A doctor told me this.

"I'm taking Percocet for pain. If you drive with this pill you'll get an impaired charge."

He said he wants to take his appeal to a federal court.

"If this court won't sort it out we're going to a court in Ottawa," said Valic.

Dave Grundy, director of communications for the WSCC, said Valic appealed Schuler's decision to the Supreme Court of the NWT.

"The Supreme Court threw out his appeal. Now he has the opportunity to appeal that to the Supreme Court (of Canada)."

http://nnsl.com/northern-news-services/stories/papers/aug8_08sf.html



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