Joint Committee on Judiciary                                                          

Room 2500, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106

February 17, 2010

      The disguise of Connecticut Workers Compensation lies with Chairman Mastropietros’ statement warning of the perils of self representation and a tactfully constructed web of case precedents that make the present system nothing short of the civil process it was designed to replace, except now injured workers have no due process and no chance.

“Unfortunately, the claimants’ remarks in this regard merely serve to betray her profound misunderstanding of the trial commissioner’s role and underscore quite clearly the perils of self representation.” CASE NO. 5267 CRB-1-07-8 – Chairman John Mastropietro.

      Mr. Mastropietro is aware of the abuses I have suffered in Workers Compensation and covered up the 2005 denial of my benefits by the Commissioner.  The denial of benefits and all future hearings of my case was made by shouting to the secretary while I was on the telephone.  Should this committee wish to view the memo, I have it right here.  

      A Commissioners Medical Exam was canceled when it was learned I had exact medical proof of my injuries.  The cost of the exam (est. $500- $ 1,200) was paid by the State of Connecticut because it was cancelled suddenly.

      Chairman Mastropietro responded to Senator Prague regarding the Commissioners ordered medical exam that I “stymied” the exam by having surgery and I cancelled the exam.  Mr. Mastropietro interviewed the commissioner for response but never thought to contact me and develop information that would have led to objective facts.  

The opposite is true that I did not stymie the exam because I requested that my doctor accompany me to the exam.  I believe the exam was cancelled because I now had proof of the exact injury and treatment I needed.  Chairman Mastropietro blocked my medical treatment.

I oppose the appointment of John Mastropietro to Chairman of Connecticut Workers Compensation.   I have the documented proof of the order denying me all benefits and hearings over the telephone.  Mr. Mastropietro is or should be aware of this abuse and therefore is supporting of it.  

A few have chose to act irresponsibly in the handling of my case.  It has destroyed my family and caused me 14 years of chronic pain and total disability.  For this I am seeking restitution from the State of Connecticut through the Claims Commissioner for the actions of Commissioners Spain, Frankl and Mastropietro.  I am hopeful that I might bring this as a bill before you in 2010 should I be denied by the Claims Commissioner.                    

 An early public statement of newly appointed Chairman in 1999 is as follows.

“I think the greatest challenge anyone in this position could possibly have is to balance these varying interests to provide needed benefits for those employees who do become injured, while still maintaining a competitive business environment which will encourage long-term economic growth in Connecticut.”  John Mastropietro, Chairman, CT Workers Compensation Issues Vol. 5 No. 1 January 2000

This afore statement made by Chairman John Mastropietro could not have been more prophetic of his intentions and deeds of commissioners for the last decade.  Mr. Mastropietro was nominated for Chairman in 1999 by Governor John Rowland.  I question whether it is the intention of the Legislature that Commissioner positions be lifelong jobs.

 I have searched the Connecticut General Statutes for where the Legislative purpose or intent is that a system of workers compensation should encourage long-term economic growth    and a competitive business environment all the while balancing the interests of employers.  I have found none. 

Under the leadership of Mr. Mastropietro, Connecticut Workers Compensation has become a trial court without Civil Rights of Due Process or meaningful hearings where self-representation is all but barred.  Just one randomly chosen Compensation Review Board CRB No. 4264 Laliberte v. United Security (7-26-2001) decision has 18 other states Superior Court Citations and in effect you (or your attorney) would be required to know each along with the precedent law to hope for a positive outcome in Connecticut.
 
Confirming John Mastropietro as Chairman of Connecticut Workers Compensation you will be confirming his personal position of Connecticut Workers Compensation applications, ultimately enabling the killing of Connecticut workers and sentencing the family for generations to despair and poverty.

William Lawler
P.O. Box 3951
Manchester, CT 06045

CT WC Case No. 800002141 - Accepted Claim - Date of Injury 4/12/1991 - Benefits Received - None