Over the last 19 years on the PPA Board, I have been asked why I haven’t written about the good things with LVMPD. Well, today’s the day!  

Workers’ compensation has been an ongoing headache for more than 25 years of my career. Most of the people I’ve represented have been sent straight to an attorney to get their claims handled and to take the pressure off while they attempt to get healthy. One of the most frustrating things is to get a denial letter in the mail when the injury is clearly work-related and the responsibility of the employer. 

Let me be clear that everyone’s experience may be different when going through the workers’ compensation process, but times have changed under Sheriff McMahill’s leadership. Recently, I have had a far different opinion of both health and safety and CCMSI.  

Going back about two years ago, I began asking a lot of questions regarding our workers’ compensation denials and how we can make changes that stop automatically paying law firms 25% of your money and make attorneys rich off your injury.  

What I’ve learned is that most of the denials are generated early in the claim because they are waiting for more information that will help them approve your claim.  Just remember this … you can always get an attorney if you feel like you need one, but don’t run right to one without calling the PPA first. We can assist you in finding out what is going on with your claim and what CCMSI needs to approve your claim. If you hire an attorney, we can’t help you without going through your attorney.  

Think about this: If we can help you get your claim approved, you won’t have to pay an attorney 25% of your PPD if you are entitled to one. The other thing to remember is that any communication with CCMSI will end, and you will only be able to use your attorney to communicate the smallest things, such as appointments with doctors or specialists, MRIs, surgery, etc.  

From my own personal experience, I am so glad I gave CCMSI an opportunity with a few of my members and even my own claim. The experience was a breath of fresh air. Starting with Sara Yant from Healthy and Safety and her many years of experience, she immediately made me feel comfortable trusting her team and also my case manager and claims specialist at CCMSI, Tasha Little. 

If you are in an unfortunate situation and must file a claim, please give these amazing people a chance to help you. Overall, it may take a little patience on your part, but the speed and process are so much better when you can call or email one of them without waiting to hear from your attorney about the status of your claim or your approval for surgery. I know you all have heard the bad things people have experienced over the course of their careers, but this is a new Metro, so if we can help you through the process without hiring an attorney, you will be a much happier officer and hopefully a much healthier officer because the speed of care you deserve.  

Be safe, and thank you for your membership.