x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Tue, 7 Jun 2016 11:30:19 -0400 thread-index: AdHA0X/HqlEb5U6DRmeZn9lszJBwgA== Thread-Topic: federal work comp From: To: Subject: federal work comp Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2016 11:30:19 -0400 Message-ID: <9D5E8F2CDBC54FE0B1C94ECD6C91F8D6@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 07 Jun 2016 15:30:19.0590 (UTC) FILETIME=[7FD63E60:01D1C0D1] CUSTOM Mrs Mary M "Penny" Bruns LPN / nurse south carolina 1028 grand concourse charleston SC 29412 penfishn@yahoo.com 843-209-4459 BOARDS federal work comp 50.139.214.50 I have been a nurse in the state of S.C for 23 years, and most recently worked in long term care hospice at the Ralph Johnson V.A.hospital. On july 4th I was grabbed, beaten by a resident I was caring for. This assault required police intervention to force him to let me go. I went to er and was treated for visible injuries, but continued to have back pain so followed up with my physicians. I continued to try to work and on august 7th the same resident attacked me again as I was assisting another staff member in his care, kicking me in the stomach and ribs causing further back pain /damage.( this resident has attacked and injured several staff without warning) The police again were called to assist. I went to er and was unable to work after this.Mri afterfirst attack showed severe spinal herniation/tear with shift and impingement on nerves. I have now been unable to work due to the severe pain and physical issues this has caused. I followed procedure and filed work comp for both assaults with assistance of the human resource dept. Despite medical records, photos, police report, physician letters...they continue to deny my claim and assistance request for care. My husband and I have sold much of our belongings just topay my medical bills, and some I just couldn't afford to do. I had back surgery last Thursday. I am in the processof filing yet another appeal. Work Comp is fighting me on this saying Ihave to prove it happened there, and pick apart the letters submitted by my physicians. Its so very sad. My faith and love and support of family and friends, and physicians, keep me faIcing each day. I miss my job and caring for others, and the life I had . There ate no federal work comp attornies in s.c , and I feel this is one reason they continue to deny me. A friend William Hannahan Attorney has assited me without charge to file the appropriate papers. The system is not always fair. I am just a case number and what I went through and continue to go through does not seem to matter. I would hope that one day this will change so no one else has to suffer as I have and worry about getting medical help and not losing everything they have worked so hard for. Everyday is a challenge in facing the pain I now live with, and feeling as if I don't matter to a agency who is supposed to be there to assist employees in times of need. Its very sad. I will take each day as it comes and pray that my appeal this time will be granted so I can receive the care I need and in the process not lose our home . My son now serving in his 17th year for USAF wrote to Senator Lindsey Graham who sent a letter to the V. A of inquiry. but as the V<A. responded...its not their decision..but that of the work comp division. If you could suggest anyone I might reach out to to assist it would be greatly appreciated. I appreciate your time and the wonderful job you do for our state. With kindest regards....Mary M. Penny Bruns Have a Blessed Day