State Labor and Industries claims are way higher because of our system. That's something
we hear nothing about. I know. I screwed them myself, sort of. It really at least was not fair that one employer got stuck with my claim at least. It was really minor injuries on previous jobs and recreation that tore up one of my knees. So I was okay to work but it was probably only a matter of time and I had another cartilage tear on the job.
If they could have and would have dug deep enough, maybe they could have found the knee injury records from my high school football days in the late 70's, or a few doctors visits about knee problems from the mid 80's. It was for sure a previously existing condition that was only made worse be a few minor injuries. You really almost get used to it if you have a knee like that. Slip a little packing equipment up a slope out playing and it swells up on you. It heals up and you're okay again.
So then I twist and tear my knee again on the job and report it. Of course I lie and say nothing about the previous issues with the knee. It had been at least 20 years since I had actually been to a doctor about that knee. it was a previous condition but I knew that was not what I wanted them to know. Much better to have it all covered and get most of my wages while off recovering rather than the alternative, as would a lot of people in my position.
If our system had allowed for it, I could have had a minor scope on that knee years before and never had the later and much more expensive problem. I ended up having three surgeries and a total knee replacement at 45 eventually. I was off three years on L&I before I was able to work again.
Now I'm basically retired but in a position that my goal this year is to not even see a doctor except for my free wellness visit. But I'm hoping that plays into a few more visits. I expect to be able to be taken off high blood pressure meds by then. In that event, I will be paying for another couple of visits at my expense, but saving my insurance company a buttload for my BP prescriptions! I lost a lot of weight and improved my diet. As much as I love to stick it to the man, I guess I don't resent helping them out there as long as I get to live a couple years longer. 