The Compensation from a Work Accident Claim is the Only Thing I will Leave my Family when I am Gone

I have always considered myself a careful man. As far as my diet is concerned, I eat a balanced one by consuming as many vegetables with my meat during meals. I drink milk and take a two glasses of wine a week to keep stomach and heart in good shape. I also exercise three times a week to make sure my muscles are in tip top shape. I do not smoke nor do I take any prohibited substances. I also avoid even the smallest amount of fat by cutting it off before consuming my food.

I am equally careful at work and have never been in any accident. Needless to say, I never needed to file any work accident claim as I am as safe as they get.

So I was in shock when my doctor told me that I have lung cancer and that it is incurable. After the initial shock disappeared, I was so angry because I had taken care of myself all these years.

Had I known that I would end up dying this way, I would have done all the bad stuff my friends have been doing. I would have eaten more red meat, smoked like a chimney, and go binge drinking. I might have lived longer; and if I didn’t, would have had more fun in life.

Seeing that my lifestyle and genes did not indicate any lung cancer, my doctor delved in to my work history more closely. And at one point, he found that I had been exposed to high levels of lead, fibreglass, and asbestos. The exposure was traced to my summer jobs in construction during my younger days.

According to my doctor, the levels that I was exposed to were so toxic that I was fortunate to have lived this long. And while I understand he may be trying to get me to cheer me up, I just did not feel fortunate.

He then informed me that I had three years to file a work accident claim from the moment I learned of the injury. So even if my exposure was twenty years ago, I still had the opportunity to secure damages to pay for treatment.

I briefly considered whether I should still file a case as I doubt I would survive to see it ruled in my favour. But with a wife and grandchildren to leave behind, I see that they will, at least, benefit from my leaving them too soon.