BC worker disabled by chemical spills - denied compensation

"Worker develops Multiple Chemical Sensitivity after exposure to numerous dangerous chemicals, but is denied worker’s compensation."

Canadian worker disabled from chemical exposure, denied claim

Worker develops Multiple Chemical Sensitivity after exposure to numerous dangerous chemicals, but is denied worker’s compensation.

I received an email from Gary Sedor, who lives in Canada and asked me to publish this note to my readers:

I was injured in a chemical spill of Toluene Diisocynates in 1991 and again in 1992. Since 1970, working as a Glazier, we worked with numerous dangerous chemicals such as Toluene Diisocyanates, Xylene, Xylol, Methyl Ethyl Keytone, Penta Phenol, Polyurathanes, Caulking compounds, Thinners, Solvents, VOC’s, Acid compounds, and numerous others.

After the 2 high dose exposures in 1991 and 1992, I developed MCS. I was then retrained in the golf business, completely unaware of the correlation, or relevance of further exposure to pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.

In 2001, I became totally and permanently disabled. Despite all of the information supplied by my doctors, my advocate (RAINET), and myself, my claim for MCS was denied for the final time by WCAT BC (Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal of British Columbia). Within the reasons was the fact that WorkSafeBC did not accept claims for MCS. I found this to be somewhat contrary, as in 2000, the Board DID accept a claim for MCS. This accepted claim can be found in the HSA “The Report”, a copy of which was sent to both the Board and WCAT during their adjudication process, further, my adjudicator told me on the phone that indeed the Board DID accept claims for MCS.

I thought you might like this information, it didn’t help me, in fact it was never acknowledged by either party. Hopefully it can be used to support someone else’s claim.

My Advocate and I have been fighting for many years for the recognition (justly deserved recognition, in my opinion) of MCS and the catastrophic effects of same on people. MCS has consumed my life entirely, both physically and psychologically, and I believe the more we can get the information out, the better the chance we have of getting someone to listen.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

G.D. (Gary) Sedor

I have covered the shortcomings of WorkSafeBC previously with a story on toxic chemical exposures by aviation workers.

Thanks, Gary!