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The Edmonton Sun, Canada Saturday, August 23, 2003 Blind fury Worker sues 'vindictive' WCB By TONY BLAIS, COURT BUREAU A city man who claims he was blinded at work is suing the Workers' Compensation Board for $660,000, alleging his disability benefits were unfairly terminated. In a statement of claim filed last week in Edmonton's Court of Queen's Bench, Ray Taylor alleges he was diagnosed as blind and suffering from neurological problems, including Parkinson's disease, as a result of being subjected to a chrome-plating process while working as a machinist at an Edson company in December 1999. His lawsuit alleges he applied to the WCB for disability payments in March 2000 and was assessed as disabled in July of that year, then had his benefits terminated in August 2001, reinstated in December 2001 and permanently terminated in January 2003. The statement of claim says a WCB medical panel ruled Taylor's medical problems were not caused by his chemical exposure at work. "The conduct of the WCB was harsh, unfair, vindictive, malicious, biased and made without any medical indication or basis," says the statement of claim. According to the lawsuit, Taylor is seeking a declaration that he is entitled to have his disability benefits reinstated, and a declaration that the WCB acted unfairly and maliciously towards him. As well, he wants $150,000 for emotional trauma, stress, sleeplessness and the loss of the amenities of life, special damages of $10,000 and punitive damages of $500,000. A statement of defence has not been filed. Statements of claim and statements of defence are allegations which have not been proven in court. SOURCE: The Edmonton Sun, Canada http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonNews/es.es-08-23-0031.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn