David Clegg, a Calgarian who suffered a workplace injury in 2022, is now receiving neurological-related treatment for injuries sustained from falling off a ladder. The treatment comes after a clinic in Calgary reversed its previous refusal to accept him because he had an open claim with the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB).
Background of the Injury
In 2022, Clegg fell from a ladder, damaging his wrists, nose, and skull. The incident led to a nerve disorder causing daily migraines. Despite numerous attempts to secure treatment through WCB, he faced repeated rejections.
Previous Obstacles with WCB
Clegg's journey with WCB included two employment readiness programs, an appeal system, hiring a lawyer to reinstate communication after WCB cut contact due to recorded calls, and rejection letters from neurological clinics citing his open WCB claim as the reason for denial.
WCB instructed Clegg to have his family doctor apply to neurological clinics. His doctor sent referrals to AHS's Neurology Central Access and Triage facility and the Alberta Neurologic Centre. Both were rejected because Clegg was on an open WCB claim, according to letters viewed by Postmedia.
Clinic Reversal After Media Coverage
Of all neurological clinics in Calgary, 72 work for AHS, which accepts patients through the triage centre that rejected Clegg. However, when contacted by Postmedia, the Alberta Neurologic Centre said it accepts patients with WCB claims and that status alone does not exclude treatment.
Following the article, WCB gave Clegg two months to find a private clinic, with costs paid by the insurer. The Alberta Neurologic Centre later stated, "We are even on a preferred WCB referral list for certain types of issues and in those cases can see patients relatively quickly. Again, the health issue must fit what we can actually assess and treat."
Clegg's case met the criteria. After learning of the centre's comment, his wife, Kimberley Karpenko, contacted the organization, which agreed to treat him.
Current Treatment
“He had his first appointment this morning,” Karpenko wrote in an email on Friday. “He received a nerve block this morning, he will begin the Botox Pre-empt protocol in a few weeks and they have a long list of medications they can trial for him.”
