North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Bloggers Weigh in on Octomom’s Lawsuit Settlement
Although her saga does not technically pertain directly to North Carolina workers’ compensation matters, Octomom Nadya Suleman quest for workers’ comp has riveted the attention of the nation. According to breaking reports, the Southern California mom of 8 has finally settled a long standing lawsuit for workers comp for just a little over $23,000.
Background
In 1999, Suleman sustained an injury at the Metropolitan State Hospital while working as a psychiatric technician (hurt her back). For this, she subsequently received around $170,000, which she used in part to fund the in vitro fertilization that led to her becoming the mother of octuplets last January. The California Division of Workers’ Compensation reported that her original settlement of $40,000 was diminished by nearly half because of attorney’s fees and advance payments.
Suleman has been roasted widely in the press for feeding her children with food stamps, selling pictures of herself clad in a bikini to the tabloids, and taking $5,000 from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in exchange for putting a sign in her window that reads “don’t let your dog or cat become an Octomom – Always spay or neuter.”
The workers’ comp drama may not be over for Ms. Suleman, given that some of her medical providers have a lien against her, claiming that she owes them around $800.
Are there lessons here for would be North Carolina workers’ compensation claimants? Likely not. Ms. Suleman’s case is fairly unique, and not just because she has octuplets and has behaved in fairly idiosyncratic manner. California has special laws in place that may not be applicable to North Carolina workers’ compensation cases.
For instance as this blog recently reported, an NFL player who hurts himself in a game in California can theoretically claim workers’ comp benefits from the state for the rest of his life – CA is unique in the nation regarding this kind of liberal policy.
If you or a family member faces difficulties collecting benefits, wrangling with insurance companies, or even processing paperwork to meet critical deadlines, it may behoove you to speak with a reputable and battle proven North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney. As the case of Octomom illustrates, workers’ comp – whether you succeed in getting appropriate payments or not – may not be a complete solution for your financial woes.
Speak with a financial planner to draw up a battle plan for you and your family to get on a more even financial keel.
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