Local MLA stands up for injured worker

HALIFAX, N.S. — Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn has gone to bat for a local man who was injured on the job more than seven years ago.

According to a press release issued by the Progressive Conservatives, Darrell MacKinnon, a resident of Pictou County and a former powerline technician, was hurt on the job when he slipped on ice in February 2012.

In the provincial legislature on Oct. 18, the local MLA directed a question to Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Labi Kousoulis.

“Why are (Workers’ Compensation Board) personnel not accountable for their decisions, especially when their denials result in lost income to injured workers and their probability of not being able to care for their families,” Dunn said, adding that several neurologists demonstrated how symptoms affected his ability to safely carry out his work duties. “However, his application for WCB benefits has been denied, denied and denied. Our best specialists in the province continue to be frustrated with such denials.”

Stating that Dunn has brought the issue to his attention previously, Kousoulis said he has provided information to the member, and that the issue should be taken up with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education funds, an organization that helps workers appeal decisions.

“I do not get involved in any medical diagnosis in workers’ compensation; I think it would be irresponsible for any politician to do so. Anybody who is in the role of overseeing the WCB (Workers’ Compensation Board), that just wouldn’t be proper to do. We have professionals, they are medical professionals, they are highly trained. They need to do the diagnosis and they need to decide whether benefits are provided or not.”