stories by Mary Fricker

Workers comp was set up to help people hurt on the job, but 200,000 Californians a year will spend years trying to secure their benefits. Story Widespread fraud: Bogus claim Employers, insurers commit fraud by lying, denying benefits Desperate, workers can turn to violence State audits find insurers routinely unfair to workers Petaluma teacher's lesson in mistrust Fall results in years of disability, disputes Timeline: A graphical look at how the case could have gone, compared to how it has. Shaky fraud charge compounds pain Dismissed case called in intimidation attempt Proud Garberville worker's ordeal ends in suicide After more than two years dealing with the worker's compensation system, Ray Blankenship killed himself. ©1997 The Press Democrat