Worker's Comp

An Indiana appeals court upheld a worker's compensation award Tuesday for an exotic dancer who was injured while performing on a pole at a strip club.

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Angela Hobson and ordered the state Worker's Compensation Board to determine if she was entitled to double compensation.

Hobson claimed she suffered neck pain and numbness after injuring herself while dancing at the Shangri-La West club in Fort Wayne on Dec. 20, 2001. She underwent surgery for a herniated disc in her cervical spine, according to court records.

I wasn't going to write anything tonight because I'm dead tired, but this reminded me of my personal experience with Worker's Comp. No, I was never a stripper.

While working in horticulture, I injured my elbow. I was seeing the local doctor (ok, only doctor in a 30 mile radius) for treatment.

While I was getting treatment for my elbow, I saw the same physician for my annual tune-up (you know, oil change, tire rotation, pap smear....) Well, a month or so after my tune-up visit, I get a letter from Worker's Comp telling me that they aren't going to cover my pap smear.

I started laughing right there in the post office. My doctor's office had billed my pap smear to Worker's Comp!

I've always wondered what must have gone through that claims agent's mind when he got the bill.

"Damn, no wonder they call it HORticulture!"