In September 2003, Jennifer Smith, a 20-year-old receptionist in Manteca, Calif., was delivering letters to the post office, a task she performed every day. But on this day, Smith's car was broadsided by a drunken driver who was traveling more than 70 miles per hour. The drunken driver's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.Smith suffered massive injuries in the crash that will affect her for the remainder of her life, including a broken pelvis, a fractured jaw and chronic pain. She still requires multiple doctor's visits every week. However, after five months of treatment, the third-party administrator handling her workers' compensation case stopped paying her medical claims.
"They are treating her like a criminal, but she's a victim, and that needs to change," said David Johnson, Smith's husband.
Some say Smith's case is far too typical in California and is indicative of a dysfunctional workers' compensation system in the state.
"The doctors have told me I can't ever hold a full-time job. What am I supposed to do? I want to have children. I want to own a home. I just want to live. I'm really worried," Smith said.
