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Fire, police rack up workers' comp (Padded retirements)
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER ^ | 9/17/2011 | JON CASSIDY

Posted on 11/01/2011 6:45:43 PM PDT by dragnet2

A Costa Mesa firefighter got an award of $39,590 because his work boots hurt

Another firefighter twisted his knee in 1991 by walking downstairs and turning left. The bill: $96,919.

A recreation leader who felt pain in the neck while shooting a basketball costing the city $7,325.

claims that get compensation and reimbursement, from uncomfortable boots to stump-grinder accidents to "cumulative trauma" shows up at retirement time.

New Police Chief Tom Gazsi, Fire Chief Kirk Dominic did not return calls

A maintenance worker picking up trash on a slope with wet grass at a park when he slipped, straining his right knee,” HR noted. The bill: $48,934.

There are claims (like the basketball-shooting rec leader’s) that the city accepted:

A police officer with acid reflux and digestive problems got an award of $27,777.

“A large child jumped onto (a recreation leader) when he wasn’t expecting it.” Bill: $23,711.

A police officer “felt fatigue between the shoulder blades at conclusion of training” one day. “Over the next few days it became stiff and sore.” Bill: $64,623.

Then there are the cases (such as the captain with the uncomfortable boots) city contested but still had to pay:

A firefighter “claims that he must lean forward and stretch in order to see out of the side mirrors. He claims ‘awkward’ repetitive movement has led to pain in his rib cage.” Bill: $45,637.

A police officer who alleged exposure to bacteria and chemicals caused cancer and psychological damage won $665,898.

A civilian police employee claimed “piriformis syndrome,” a technical term for a pain in the butt. Bill: $52,493.

the day the city sent out widespread layoff notices a police officer who reported being unable to breathe during a panic attack, and a city worker who claimed that “stress caused him to develop a hemorrhoid.”

(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: default; firepersons; government; officerpersons; socialists
Police and firefighters who go on disability before retiring can get half their pension free of state and federal taxes.

Disability pension “tax breaks are especially valuable to those making more than $100,000

1 posted on 11/01/2011 6:45:47 PM PDT by dragnet2
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To: All

Under California law, police and firefighters have special rights when filing workers’ compensation and disability claims.

Police and firefighters who go on disability before retiring can get half their pension free of state and federal taxes.

Disability pension “tax breaks are especially valuable to those making more than $100,000

A 2004 the Times article reported that 61 percent of retired safety personnel in Los Angeles County are on disability pensions

Of the 40 ex-Costa Mesa police officers who had injuries factor into their retirements, all but one got medical retirement.


2 posted on 11/01/2011 6:46:37 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

It is amazing how little shame people have. I would be embarrassed to get such a undeserved free ride.


3 posted on 11/01/2011 6:57:32 PM PDT by microgood
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To: dragnet2

This condition is well known in the medical community as “Chiefs Syndrome”. Amazing how all these people get fibromyalgia, back pain, stress disorder, reflux and irritable bowel just before retirement.


4 posted on 11/01/2011 7:17:12 PM PDT by pterional
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To: microgood

“It is amazing how little shame people have. I would be embarrassed to get such a undeserved free ride.”

Most feces that do this (as do most thieves) have rationalized it; they are entitled to it. In the northeast they’ve doomed entire regions with the built-in costs of moving into an area - you’d be paying for so many former employees there is little left for current employees (or sanitation, road maintenance, etc.). They’ve done to towns what retiree costs did to GM.


5 posted on 11/01/2011 7:26:44 PM PDT by kearnyirish2
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To: microgood

Yep...The government employees who haunt these sites, will avoid this thread like a public pay phone in the senseless murder district.


6 posted on 11/01/2011 8:40:31 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: microgood
Yes but hurting someones “feelings” by shaming them, is now an actionable legal offense.

When (not if) I slip and fall down in public, I still blush, and pray nobody noticed my clumsiness.

With cameras everywhere nowadays, I can't just get up and pretend it didn't happen.
Oh no!
Store managers catch up to me at the check out lane demanding I seek immediate medical care...or else face potential preemptive legal action for failing to sue!

Frankly, I don't look at the coming corrective pendulum swing against “system” game players as punitive.

7 posted on 11/01/2011 8:49:42 PM PDT by sarasmom
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To: pterional

Yeah, I know too well how this little game works...As the tax payers get gang raped.


8 posted on 11/01/2011 8:52:32 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: kearnyirish2

BTTT


9 posted on 11/03/2011 8:32:28 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: All

A firefighter “claims that he must lean forward and stretch in order to see out of the side mirrors. He claims ‘awkward’ repetitive movement has led to pain in his rib cage.” Bill: $45,637.


10 posted on 11/03/2011 8:34:58 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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