July 6 2009

Doug Elliott was hurt on the job. He sustained a burst fracture to his spine while working construction. Doug was an amazing man with a wife and 2 kids who he loved dearly. He was in great physical condition before this accident and enjoyed physical work and recreation. Mr. Elliott did all he could to get better. He underwent spinal surgeries, and countless hours of physical therapy. He and his wife came to Abrams Landau for representation against the insurance company in his workers’ compensation claim. The employers insurance company’s representatives did all they could to minimize and delay Mr. Elliott’s medical care. His pain treatment and rehabilitation were manipulated by “nurse case managers”. Doug wanted desperately to be nondependent on pain medications; his inabilities to support and engage with his family led to depression and withdrawal.

After years of battling the pain and inability to support his family Mr. Elliott walked into the office of his psychiatrist and stabbed himself with an ice pick. He simply couldn’t cope any longer. He had asked the insurer for treatments involving more strength training and less prescriptive treatment. He had never abused prescriptive care. He simply couldn’t tolerate feeling disoriented and removed from his family and the world around him. Doug Elliott was a smart guy. He knew that the doctor would call for help. When the police arrived on the scene he rushed toward them with the ice pick, knowing that they would be forced to shoot. Doug died of what is termed “police assisted suicide”. His wife called us the day of his death to let us know about it. EVERYONE in our office shed tears for Doug Elliott, his wife Kim and his children Ryan and Danielle. Abrams Landau settled with the insurance company on behalf of the Elliott family after we won the case in court. The insurer’s “nurse case manager” has left that field of work. Doug’s wife and kids are healing slowly, They miss their husband and father. They speak out for suicide prevention. We speak out against insurers who delay, deny and degrade injury claims and injured people.

Read our most recent note from Doug Elliott’s wife Kim:

“Please keep up the great work and Keep fighting for victims like
my husband, we are the only voice they have. I am so proud to
say that you were not only a great attorney but excellent friends.
You have stood by my family side after the whole loss and I
appreciate that. Thanks. Keep in touch. Keep fighting for the
many people that deserve LIFE and JUSTICE. Remember if you
ever need me for anything call I will be there.”

The insurance company accused Mr. Elliott of abuse of pain meds, but after his death they found multiple bottles unused. Mr. Elliot wanted to free himself of dependance, and the insurance company refused to help. Insurers place blame on injured people in order to avoid paying for treatments that will help patients to heal.