Reginald Williams Sr. Blows whistle on CDOT, Alderman Burke, Monica Somerville and the IWCC
On January 7, 2013, city worker Reginald Williams Sr., who has worked with the Department of Transportation for over 20 years was injured on the job.
He was a passenger in an 18-wheel city truck when the driver miscalculated the height of a viaduct and ran into the overpass. The impact injured everyone riding in the cab and an ambulance was dispatched.
The next day, Williams was instructed to go to Mercy Works for Occupational Medicine and see the doctors that are part of the city’s workers’ compensation network.
Shortly after his accident, Williams applied for workmen’s compensation and was immediately awarded monthly benefits that started the same month of the accident, January 2013 and lasted until December 2014.
In a letter dated January 14, 2015, Monica Somerville, Director of the Workers’ Compensation Division, stated that Williams was to complete the paper work to be reinstated to “full duty” work in an “unrestricted capacity.” The letter was based on a Dr. Levin’s Independent Medical Examiner’s (IME) report that was written on December 3, 2014.
Dr. Levin, in addition to that report, also wrote a 53-page report addressed to a Patricia O’Connor chronicling Williams’ medical history throughout the life of his claim. The report is a compilation of all the visits that Williams made to the doctor’s office regarding his conditions while he received benefits, benefits that lasted for twenty-three months.
“I contacted my attorney and asked how could they terminate my benefits. He said it was based on the MRI report and the doctor’s opinion that I was able to go back to work full time,” Williams stated. “I told my attorney that someone was lying and he said we have to wait to see the report.”
Williams ended up firing his first attorney and hiring another after weeks went by with no progress on his case. Subsequently, he hired another attorney who also didn’t make any substantial progress and he too was fired after several months.
After obtaining a copy of the report, according to Williams, he came to the conclusion that Dr. Levin had incorrect information about his shoulder that wasn’t injured in the accident and somehow this information was used to justify terminating his case.
Attorney Mark Weissburg, who isn’t affiliated with the case, but specializes in Social Security and Workers’ Compensation is all too familiar with the decision to terminate clients.
“The City would have to explain its decision making process. Some employers fire injured workers as a way of scaring the remaining employees so they don’t report work injuries,” Weissburg said. “Other times an employer fails to follow the law and acts in ways that are contrary to the word and intent of the Workers’ Compensation Act.”
Throughout the 53 page report, it’s indisputably noted that Williams continues to experience severe back pain, and is commented on by several of the doctors that Dr. Levin uses in his final report.
“I continue to be in constant pain while taking Norco and Dr. Levin knows that I am,” Williams said. “I am sad that my request for surgery has been denied even though I did everything the city told my doctors to do. Just when I thought the city was about to approve my surgery, Dr. Levin said I didn’t need it. And my benefits were terminated.”
Attorney Weissburg said, “I’ve seen employers make decisions that not only hurt the injured worker, but are also not in the employer’s own best interests. When there are reasonable questions regarding the facts of a work injury, those should be investigated, but when it is clear that a worker was injured at work, the appropriate benefits should be paid in a timely manner.”
The question some ask is how the city of Chicago and one of its affiliated doctors says it is okay for a city employee, who is taking one of the most powerful pain killers known to man, to return to work in “full duty” in an “unrestricted capacity.”
The warning label for Norco states: “This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Norco will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.”
The Chicago Defender attempted to contact Dr. Levin, Monica Somerville from Workers’ Compensation and Mr. Williams’ attorney, George Argionis, all declined to comment on this story.
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Dominick Tomasello RIP January 8 2017 Feds please step in.
We at Chicago Clout meet many folks that in in trouble. I received Dominic’s name and number from a guy I knew for years that was screwed around by the city. Since I know many people, politician, and insiders, people felt I could help Dominic. Dominic had a brutal divorce. He seemed obsessive compulsive towards his daughter and ex-wife. For some reason, he felt he could fix whatever was wrong and try again. I felt Dominic was completely unrealistic. Dominic felt people were interfering with his former relationship; he did everything he could to expose alleged wrong doing.
The story he told me was far too complex. Dominic also had a hard time keeping the same story and crafted events to fit the audience. I also could sit in amazement that a man could keep such a clean and wonderful home. Dominic also made strong accusations against the mob, his friends, his lawyers. He was also quick to give away his money if you said you could help him.
Dominic was hit on the head at work. This was the final straw. The Committee on Finance screwed him around, withheld his checks, made him go back to work sick. The usual. His story was so complex, I felt only Michael Volpe had the skills to handle his situation. To all the people that took his money, withheld his money, and denied care, I hope Hell is real. To the Cook County Court System that kept two ankle bracelets on him, like he was an animal, I hope you are proud of yourself. I also hope Alderman Burke rots in hell for the way the city treats an injured worker. Two ankle monitors and they sat on him being dead for two days? Rest in peace.
Another Cover-up for Daley's Hired Truck Royal Family. Water Department scams public!
Thursday April 27, 2011 was another great day for the Daley faithful at the City of Chicago, Department of Water Management. Thomas “Tom” Tadin enjoyed another party on the taxpayer’s dime. The morning party was described a “just a coffee” by the Commissioner’s office. I asked Tom LaPorte, the department’s spokesperson what happened on Thursday and he stated, “I have no idea what you are talking about”. These type answers calls for the termination of this joker. Will Rahm Emanuel keep folks like this on the payroll? Just a decade ago, the Jardine Plant was known as “Plato’s Retreat”. Wild City Workers enjoyed everything but an honest day’s work. Clouted City Workers usually turn in their I.D.s in the morning of their last day, turn around and go home. They just need to stick it to taxpayer’s one last time. Maybe Tom will tell us about Friday morning. On another note, insiders at the Water Department need to look closely at the picture in this story, do go too far when you retire, you will be back! Will Rahm Emanuel fire all these Level 51 party animals, or get seduced by the loose money and temptation? God only knows! NEXT TIME: post all notices of your parties, I will find out anyway! Photo by Patrick McDonough. ]]> Continue reading “Another Cover-up for Daley's Hired Truck Royal Family. Water Department scams public!”
Dane Placko busts Tommie Talley at Cook County/ John Daley Goon
Chicago Clout introduces Philip Bernstein to the 48th Ward in Chicago
Philip Bernstein is running for 48th Ward Alderman against lifetime politician Harry Osterman. Philip wants to bring real professional, management to the ward, and give a voice to the over 62,000 residents who currently are not being heard by their government. Additionally, Philip wants to bring an independent, analytical voice to City Council, and participate in the improvement of that body with the objective of improving the management and efficient functioning of the city government. Bernstein is a trained economist, with over 2 decades of experience owning and running a small business, and has over 2 decades of experience in the management of large scale civil projects, some of which have benefitted the City of Chicago. I hope everyone gets involved to remove corruption in the 48th ward. Philip website is http://bernsteinforalderman.com/default.aspx Photo by Patrick McDonough
Mayor Daley uses child labor to repair fire hydrants in Chicago
I know Mayor Daley is absolutely out of control in Chicago, but this is a new twist. I was called after work Saturday to look into a bunch of kids painting Fire Hydrants in Chicago. The kids were doing a fairly nice job and even took the time to place tape on the threads of the ports. I made sure some police showed up as everyone should when people tamper with the potable water supply. This is a major priority after 9/11 and posters at work inform us to not take this lightly. The kids told me they were doing a project for an Eagle Scout that was not on the site. I got another story about something to do with Alderman Doherty. I am not sure but they said they have written permission from the Alderman of the 41st Ward to paint Hydrants. The Chicago Police showed up after calling the leak desk and I let them know what was going on. The Police officer told me he painted hydrants red, white and blue during the America’s bicentennial when he was a kid. After the cops left, I talked to a man that is a Union 14 painter out of work over one year. It is a shame Daley and Doherty are having kids paint hydrants as working men starve. This is an interesting story; it just depends on your point of view. Is politics involved? I know I do these things on my own time, it shows what a great guy I am! Remember you silly gooses, do not touch the drinking water in Chicago unless you are an employee of the Department of Water Management, a phony minority company approved by Daley, or you have direct permission from the Commissioner of Water Management. Photo by Patrick McDonough
Chicago Clout welcomes a new view on the Hispanic population trends in America
Many Chicago Politicians cater to the Hispanic community in Chicago. It involves contracts, voting, and jobs. Many points of view, from rabid hate to blank acceptance, make the Arizona laws on immigration a point worth investigating. It can be said that Chicago caters to illegal aliens and in return expect the “right vote”. If true, this could be a massive scam that threatens to undermine the laws and rules of fair play in America. Chicago Clout is hosting a few candidates that will provide insight for all of us in the middle. We want to find out what is really in the best interest of America. These videos will allow us to make an informed decision. Vote Chicago, Vote. Patrick McDonough
What did Anthony "Tony" Laurino know about Mayor Daley's Hired Truck Scandal
Many people never will know all the people involved in the Hired Truck Scandal. Not every participant was interviewed by the Feds. Alexander Vroustouris, the Inspector General seemed to look over many of the facts and participants. Will the public ever know the extent of the criminal activity? When the Feds took over the investigation every indication led us to believe Anthony “Tony” Laurino, John Rottman, Michael Tierney, and John D’Amico never disclosed everything they knew. We have a TV show with witnesses putting Hired Truck Business run out of Alderman Margaret Laurino’s political office. Some of the Hired Truck participants died after the Scandal broke by the Chicago Sun-Times. It gives one pause as Christopher Kelly shows up a stiff before his additional court dates arrive. Anthony Laurino retired from the City of Chicago (now called Department of Water Management) after a buyout was formulated by the State of Illinois. In all fairness, not just Tony, a bunch of guys located closely to Hired Trucks. Anthony works for Koenig & Strey in Glenview, he reported to me the massive pension is offset by additional 600 dollars a retiree must pay towards the health insurance deductible. I remember when I was fired for alleged residency violations by the City of Chicago, Tony mailed me his Real Estate card; he is such a wise guy. When it comes to legal firepower, that man has Clout. Good Luck Tony, Photo by Patrick McDonough.