Workers' Comp Insurance Reversal for ???Miracle??? Joplin Tornado Survivor (ContributorNetwork)

Mark Lindquist was doing his job at work for three developmentally disabled adults May 22. He tried to save the lives of those people he swore to protect despite a terrifying EF5 tornado bearing down on the building. Lindquist had incredibly high medical bills that workers' comp insurance initially refused to pay. Then his story made national headlines and the insurance company suddenly reversed course and paid his staggering bill because he was injured on the job.

Here is some background information Lindquist's story.

* The Springfield News-Leader first reported Lindquist's heroic deed July 5. He was in a coma, barely recognizable from swelling, and his body was trying to fight off a deadly fungal infection. The same fungus was partially responsible for the deaths of five people.

* Lindquist's medical bills were $2.5 million. His family filed a workers' comp insurance claim because he was on duty and on the clock when the tornado hit Joplin.

* Lindquist worked for a group home that watched over adults who needed round-the-clock care. He made barely over minimum wage and had no health insurance.

* As many as 7,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the Joplin tornado. Lindquist tried saving lives by throwing mattresses over the men who had Down syndrome.

* The victim was identified by family members by brown flecks in his eyes. Otherwise, when Lindquist was brought to the hospital, he was unrecognizable due to his injuries.

* Lindquist was in coma for two months. He lost his shoulder blade and all of his ribs were broken. The tornado threw him two houses away from care center on Iowa and 22nd, one of the hardest hit areas of Joplin. KYTV reports he spent time rehabilitating in the Missouri Rehabilitation Center in Mount Vernon, a city one county over.

* Lindquist is the brother of nationally-known artist Linda Lindquist-Baldwin. She is known for her "snickles" figurines.

* The Joplin Globe reported Oct. 24 that the insurance company called Baldwin to let her know paying her brother's claim was a "top priority." It was the same insurance adjuster who earlier had denied the claim for workers' comp insurance.

* An AP story ran Oct. 23 about Lindquist's family trying to get workers' comp insurance. The family tried since June to get the insurance company to accept the claim. The claim was originally because according to company representatives he was at no greater risk than anyone else in Joplin that day.

* Lindquist's employer, Community Support Services, wanted him to have the workers' comp claim fulfilled. The employer didn't have a problem with a $2.5 million claim--the insurance company did. The hero continues to heal and will have more medical bills involving his rehab.

William Browning, a lifelong Missouri resident, writes about local and state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Born in St. Louis, Browning earned his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Missouri. He currently resides in Branson.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/weather/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111025/us_ac/10289057_workers_comp_insurance_reversal_for_miracle_joplin_tornado_survivor

ipod nano watch dancing with the stars elimination dancing with the stars elimination nexus prime nexus prime new iphone new iphone