Accident Fund reverses stance, gives workers comp benefits to Joplin, Mo., hero
October 24, 2011 - 1:54pm
JOPLIN, Mo.—Accident Fund Insurance Co. of America is reversing its denial of workers compensation benefits for a Joplin, Mo., man deemed a hero for saving three men with Down syndrome from the Joplin tornado.
According to a widely reported Associated Press story, Mark Lindquist suffered broken ribs, a shoulder injury, the loss of most of his teeth and spent about two months in a coma after 200 mph winds tossed him nearly a block.
A Missouri Senate resolution hailed him as a “true hero” for helping protect the three middle-aged men living in a group home that had no basement.
On May 22, Mr. Lindquist and a co-worker placed mattresses over the three men and then laid atop the mattresses to help
This is a very heartening development in a story of bravery and tragedy. A Missouri social worker almost died trying to protect three developmentally-disabled men during the horrific Joplin tornado last May. His employer's Workers' Compensation insurer initially determined that he was ineligible for benefits under state law. The carrier has now reversed that decision and will pay his millions of dollars in medical expenses.
Did the insurer change its mind because the Associated Press ran a story in newspapers across the country about the man's predicament? Perhaps. Whatever its motivations, the important thing is that the carrier is providing the necessary benefits. In America, we don't let heroes go bankrupt simply because they did the honorable thing. Three cheers to the carrier for seeing it that way.
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Posted by: lilyMix | October 31, 2011 at 11:10 PM