Pacifica police officer gap in workers compensation, and State disability benefits

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 8/13/13.  "What's wrong with this picture?" by Stevan Phillips

... pay my own medical bills,
provide my own disability funding,
if injured on the job.. huh?

"Editor:  After reading last week's story about Stacey Jaquith's plight, I shook my head in disbelief. Specifically, how is it that she is so in debt when her life-changing injury happened on the job?

After all, isn't that what occupational insurance should handle and, especially as a law enforcement officer, doesn't their union have a significant coverage plan due to the nature of the job? Plus, shouldn't the state's disability program kick in here too?

I wish her well and being freed from both the physical and financial restraints that bind her."
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Related Fix Pacifica reprint - San Mateo County Times/Joshua Melviin, 8/4/13, "Pacifica:  Career-ending injury haunts ex-police officer."   "...  Some medicines and treatments are covered through workers' compensation while others aren't, Jaquith said. But the situation became dire in February when an appellate court decision changed state law, cutting off her only source of income, disability checks. She said she had already been forced to burn through savings....  But lately there is room for some optimism. Her medical retirement payments have kicked in ..."

From her lifetime back injuries, Stacey Jaquith's current indebtedness is estimated at $118,000.  "...  People can donate online at www.gofundme.com/Support-Officer-Jaquith or send a check to Officer Stacy Jaquith, Account No. 1383205 at S.F. Police Credit Union, P.O. Box 22219, San Francisco, CA 94122."  

Posted by Kathy Meeh