GM Reduces Workers' Comp for Injured Employees

For years, many former employees of General Motors who were injured on the job have been surviving using a combination of checks from several sources for disabled and injured workers, including; workers' compensation, disability pension from GM, and Social Security disability benefits. The recent financial woes at GM have meant some changes in how those workers are paid.

According to MLive.com, in the 1980s, a Michigan law made it legal for companies to reduce an injured employee's worker's compensation by the total that they receive for disability pension. After years of vowing to never put that law into use, GM recently cut the payments of about 1800 former employees in an effort to save money.

One example of someone who has been impacted by these cuts is former GM employee Dennis Cheek, who suffered two injuries while working at the Buick City General Motors location. First, he sustained a devastating neck injury when he was hit by a 300-pound machine and broke his neck. In 1999, he fell off a deck at the plant and suffered personal injuries and had to have surgery on his elbow.

Cheek left GM in 2001, and has since survived on the aforementioned three sources of monthly income. Unfortunately, GM's reduction in workers' compensation checks for those also receiving disability pension means that Cheek is struggling to pay his monthly mortgage and other bills.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.