Post by Administration on Apr 23, 2008 9:09:40 GMT -5
"The Workers' Compensation Commission ruled in his favor, ruling that his tick bites "occurred while he was working" and later confirming that "there is substantial evidence that ... the organism that causes Lyme disease is present in South Carolina."
Guest Column: We Aren't Insulated From Lyme's Dangers
By Kathleen Liporace
Kathleen Liporace is a patient and physician advocate and began a Greenville Lyme disease support group a year ago. Readers may contact her at greenvillelyme@bellsouth.net
The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina
April 18, 2008
greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/OPINION/804180313/1004/NEWS01
Phil Wood was an energetic South Carolinian before contracting Lyme disease while employed as a timber buyer. His duties included cruising tracts of land on foot to assess the value of timber for purchasing. As a timber buyer, Wood faced a risk largely unknown in South Carolina -- Lyme disease, an affliction that can be caused by the bite of a tick.
As is typical for advanced cases of Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease, Wood suffered multiple unremitting physical issues. The symptoms included swelling; confusion; tingling and numbness of the hands; migraines; headaches; dizziness; muscle, joint and chest pain; ringing of the ears; nausea; fever; and unrelenting fatigue. He also had to have his gallbladder removed, which is common for Lyme sufferers.
Because he contracted this disease while working, Wood's health
insurer left him without coverage, and told him his case should be
covered by workers' compensation. Wood filed for workers' comp late in 2004 and again the following spring, when he requested a workers' compensation hearing. The Workers' Compensation Commission ruled in his favor, ruling that his tick bites "occurred while he was working"and later confirming that "there is substantial evidence that ... the organism that causes Lyme disease is present in South Carolina."
While most people do not contract Lyme disease at work, Wood's case is typical of many chronic Lyme patients, whose illnesses are hard to diagnose, difficult to treat and often not believed.
This decision holds promise for those in South Carolina who suffer
from chronic Lyme disease. It attests to the authenticity of Lyme, and it underscores the necessity of long-term treatment for chronic Lyme disease. That's important because many insurers now limit treatment to 30 days, resulting in extensive out-of-pocket costs for the continued, long-term treatment of this multi-systemic condition.
Full story:
tinyurl.com/5k6nl5
Letters:
letters@greenvillenews.com
Letters to the Editor
PO Box 1688
Greenville, SC 29602
Fax: (864) 298-4805
Guest Column: We Aren't Insulated From Lyme's Dangers
By Kathleen Liporace
Kathleen Liporace is a patient and physician advocate and began a Greenville Lyme disease support group a year ago. Readers may contact her at greenvillelyme@bellsouth.net
The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina
April 18, 2008
greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/OPINION/804180313/1004/NEWS01
Phil Wood was an energetic South Carolinian before contracting Lyme disease while employed as a timber buyer. His duties included cruising tracts of land on foot to assess the value of timber for purchasing. As a timber buyer, Wood faced a risk largely unknown in South Carolina -- Lyme disease, an affliction that can be caused by the bite of a tick.
As is typical for advanced cases of Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease, Wood suffered multiple unremitting physical issues. The symptoms included swelling; confusion; tingling and numbness of the hands; migraines; headaches; dizziness; muscle, joint and chest pain; ringing of the ears; nausea; fever; and unrelenting fatigue. He also had to have his gallbladder removed, which is common for Lyme sufferers.
Because he contracted this disease while working, Wood's health
insurer left him without coverage, and told him his case should be
covered by workers' compensation. Wood filed for workers' comp late in 2004 and again the following spring, when he requested a workers' compensation hearing. The Workers' Compensation Commission ruled in his favor, ruling that his tick bites "occurred while he was working"and later confirming that "there is substantial evidence that ... the organism that causes Lyme disease is present in South Carolina."
While most people do not contract Lyme disease at work, Wood's case is typical of many chronic Lyme patients, whose illnesses are hard to diagnose, difficult to treat and often not believed.
This decision holds promise for those in South Carolina who suffer
from chronic Lyme disease. It attests to the authenticity of Lyme, and it underscores the necessity of long-term treatment for chronic Lyme disease. That's important because many insurers now limit treatment to 30 days, resulting in extensive out-of-pocket costs for the continued, long-term treatment of this multi-systemic condition.
Full story:
tinyurl.com/5k6nl5
Letters:
letters@greenvillenews.com
Letters to the Editor
PO Box 1688
Greenville, SC 29602
Fax: (864) 298-4805