ENTRY 11: Man Permanently Disabled on the Job Receive Zero Workmans Comp

1.     Summary of article – what is article about? (brief – do not tell the entire story)

The article tells the story of Mario Seguro-Suarez, who in 2003, fell almost twenty feet and landed on his head while working. This Accident put him in the hospital, in a coma with a respirator. After filing for workers comp, he was tested and found to not be mentally able to dress, bath, or feed himself. The doctors said he needed 24-hour care. The insurance company, Key Risk, declined to pay the benefits and set up free care with his immigrant daughter and sent less than $350 per week to cover some of the pay would no longer be receiving. Terrible underfunded and legal but they got away with it for some time before they(Key Risk) proceeded to take him to court and say they would no longer pay benefits. This was rejected and they repealed it. It was now gone all the way through to the Court of Appeals, which is North Carolina's second most powerful ruling body. Along this path, Mario was found to have an IQ of 70 which is in the lowest 1% of North Carolinians. The case took an unexpected turn for the worse when Key Risk hired private investigators to follow and film Seguro-Suarez. They took edited footage of him doing manual labor to the local police and had him arrested on 26 felony charges relating to scamming insurance. Of course, these were thrown on the company was demanded to pay full payments for the remainder of his life and to repay the cost to the people that worked for free to take care of him. The case has not yet been completely costed but is one of the worst many workers comp. lawyers have ever seen.

2.     How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination?

This story is very clearly discrimination against the handicapped. The actions of Key Risk clearly show their intention to mistreat those whom they have been charged to take care of. The man clearly was proven to need of the compensation but they discriminated against him and their own doctors and everyone telling them to pay the man out. Oppression occurred in that they arranged for an illegal immigrant(His daughter) to work for the man free of charge. This never would have happened had they not been an immigrant family.

3.     Who is oppressed? 

The injured man, Mario Seguro-Suarez. His daughter, Viviana Seguro-Arce. And the other unnamed worker who worked without pay as well.

4.     Who is oppressing?

The original employer, not mentioned by name. But primarily the Insurance Company namely, Key Risk Insurance Co.

5.     How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved (individual, organization, structural, make argument for other types)?

Mario faced oppression in that he was denied his rights to workers compensation insurance. He was under contract as a worker and part of his contract was that injuries on the job would be provided for by workman's compensation insurance. He was denied these rights. This was handicapped discrimination. In addition, the whole institution of the insurance company oppressed him and his family. This was institutional discrimination. Lastly, I will mention racial discrimination, in that this issue was blown out of proportion because of being an immigrant family.

6.     Explore the significance in our society. What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society?

I believe this shows that the "survival of the fittest" idea is still prevailing in the mind of many. They believe that the immigrants and those who are less capable, are less worthy. This was very clearly seen by how Mario was treated. It shows that people who are lower on the totem-pole have life harder because not only are they trying to climb the hierarchy but they also have those higher than them pushing them down.  

7.     What was your personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects(s) of your own socialization has led you to this reaction?

I had a learning disability as a young child. I was very dyslexic and could not read until age 12. I know the pain of feeling like a system is "out to get you." I had very supportive parents who went out of their way to help me. I am therefore understanding of this mans plight, though it is on a completely different plain, I understand the pain of being unable. I do also feel very badly for his situation in that he is no being supported in a way that is both professional and moral. My past experience with situations of impairment has shown me that this is no easy road to walk so I am sympathetic for him as well.

8.     What did you learn?

I learned that insurance companies are crooks! What a greedy institution that would ignore all the council doctors and psychologies gave it just to push forward and try to protect its profits. I am disgusted. Additionally, I am grateful that there are lawyers who look out for the benefits of others and can fight for them. I learned that workers comp. usually is a smooth process and that thankfully this is an outlier, not the norm!

9.     How do you think the media represents this story?

In my opinion, they told the story in a manner that heavily favored the injured. This is fine. I am on his side two. However, I would much prefer an even side of the story so that I can made my own conclusion. I can think for myself, I want the facts, not the opinion. Over all thought, the story was interesting to read. 

10.  What was your source?

 I read this article in the Charlotte Observer. You can view it as well by following this link: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article217808590.html