Poisoned at work, seeking treatment and justice

My name is Lauren Denning and I have been an Art production professional for nearly a decade. I am currently recovering from heavy metal poisoning acquired on the job.

From April 2022 to January 2023, I was working for an upscale Art Printing and Production Company producing dye-sublimated aluminum printed Artwork and custom framing. This is a world-renowned company servicing large-scale orders to high-paying, high-profile clientele and institutions. In my 10 months of full-time plus overtime employment, I was exposed to an unhealthy excess of aluminum dust, both ingested and absorbed through the skin. Aluminum dust is a natural by-product of the production process when sanding and cutting down the sheets of aluminum, as well as cutting and processing the aluminum framework.

Aluminum dust is a neurotoxin. Although OSHA outlines specific guidelines for safe processing and handling, few procedures were followed to the degree necessary to prevent toxic exposure.

Due to prolonged skin contact, unprotected inhalation, and unknowing ingestion during the 40+ hour work week, my symptoms were progressively worsening. In August, the pain was bone deep; I broke a toe, and without enough PTO or insurance I continued to work as normal. In October, I had abdominal pain and digestion issues. By January, I was consistently experiencing metal fume fever, eye irritations, extreme fatigue, persistent skin problems and burning in my hands and feet on a daily basis. The scariest and most concerning would be the neurological complications resulting in visual impairment and hallucinations. Shadows in my peripheral vision, thinking someone walked by when I was alone in the shop; as a rational, science-minded person, I initially attributed this to long hours and fatigue but had growing concerns for my perception and sanity. Therefore, although terrifying, it was somewhat a relief to realize these were all symptoms I could trace back to the source, Aluminum dust.

I should also mention other employees experienced heavy metal poisoning symptoms as well, including bone breakage and hospitalization for respiratory complications. There was also a strange story that four years prior, the current shop manager was promoted after only a month of employment because the entire production team and shop manager quit. Why would a whole team of people quit leaving the last, and newest, person there in charge by default? Although this could be construed as hearsay or gossip, the fact that the newly promoted shop manager went on to develop seizures and visual impairment over the next four years is, well, a fact.

Another unfortunate fact; in America, necessary medical treatment and care can be denied to those who need it due to loopholes that favor the company's bottom line over an individual’s health and safety. Mandatory waiting periods and enrollment windows meant that I was not yet receiving The Company’s medical coverage, ultimately resulting in a denial of Workman’s Comp benefits. From the beginning, my attempts to get treatment under The Hartford Workman’s Comp. insurance were fraught with complications and attempts to communicate that led nowhere.

The timeline of my departure from The Company and ultimate denial of Workman’s Compensation is as follows:

January 5th: I called out sick due to the inability to work without discomfort.

January 6th: I began to pursue heavy metal screening facilities and testing available

January 10th: I found a testing center that would allow testing without health insurance. Paid out of pocket and provided a urine sample. Text communication from The Company, requesting to know when I would return to work for order deadlines.

January 12th: Received test results confirming Aluminum levels were out of healthy range. Informed the company via text of my test results and my inability to resume work, but got no response.

January 13th: Received an email from Hartford insurance about being enrolled in a Workman’s Compensation claim. E-Signed documents confirming identity and information release forms.

January 16th: Purchased and performed an at-home Albumin URS-10 urinalysis test, abnormal ketone, bilirubin, and protein levels present. Logged into The Hartford web portal to find out if I could get treatment, notified my “device is registered”. Broken links and error messages trying to update information on the website.

January 18th: Called Claim Handler and left a message about my date of injury being listed incorrectly as the 11th and not the 5th and to touch base about the soonest treatment available and to provide requested wage compensation information.

January 19th: The Hartford web portal is not working. I can log in, but after a few seconds, I get error messages and automatically logged out.

January 20th: Notified that my Claim Handler has been changed. Leave a message for the new Claim Handler. Call the number for HealtheSystems, the entity that handles scheduling diagnostics and appointments. Although I’m finally able to talk to a person, he cannot help me find treatment in my area until my Claim Handler approves my coverage eligibility. He tells me that claim handlers are notorious for being difficult to contact by phone, so I should be patient and try email instead.

January 24th: Again notified that my “device has been registered” Leave another message for Claim Handler. Receive an “educational” welcome brochure from the Rhode Island Dept. of Labor and Training about Workman’s Comp.

January 26th: Receive a call from a Claim Investigator (not either of the claim handlers I’ve attempted to contact) for The Hartford insurance and give a recorded interview about my symptoms and injury. He asks about my role in an unrelated department and when I describe the daily procedures and lack of safety protocol he changes the line of questioning. He is very dismissive of my out-of-pocket test results, especially when hearing I do not have current coverage or a primary care doctor. Asks if I’ve ever been on a diet and alludes ketones are generally present because of this. Comments about my commute length being a factor in leaving the position. Tells me my Claim Handler is very capable and will be in touch shortly.

February 1st: Text from a concerned coworker asking how I am and stating “I heard they were fighting the workman’s comp for some reason”

February 2: After waiting for a call that never arrives, email Claim Handler about coverage and treatment. I express the fact that I cannot afford to pay for any coverage out of pocket, I am uninsured and do not have a primary care doctor at this time. She responds the same day several hours later with a very confusing email. It begins by stating she is in training and unavailable for the rest of the week. She then asks for information about my current primary care physician and which Doctor ordered and authorized my out-of-pocket urinalysis tests. She asks for the signatures I already provided on January 13th. She concludes by saying, “Based on our investigation, I will not be able to authorize any treatment on this claim”

February 10th: Phone tag with Claim Handler

February 22: I receive recorded delivery of three letters dated 2/20/2023. Two are duplicate medical release forms asking for detailed medical history for the last 10 years that needed to be responded to in 7 days or may claim will be terminated. The last is an official claim termination notice saying they have not been able to contact me. Again, all three were dated 2/20/2023 and received on 2/22/2023.

More than two months have passed since my last work day with The Company. I still have not received treatment or seen a physician. I did not pursue other employment while the claim was active as it would disqualify me for coverage from WC insurance, I still held hope that I would at least receive a medical evaluation for the severity of my injuries. Unfortunately, my monetary resources are now depleted waiting for coverage and compensation that never arrived. I am now concerned about paying bills and keeping a roof overhead in addition to the unknown impact on my physical health.

Since the recorded delivery letters arrived, I have been actively applying for work in and out of my career fields of Art production and education. At the time I’m writing this, I am still unemployed and will soon be unable to pay for necessities like food, rent, and utilities. With few options left, I turn to you, dear reader.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, it is already more than my Claim Handlers did. Should you choose to help, you can do so by sharing my story and, if able, donating. No amount is too small, anything is appreciated. Your kind donation would afford me the ability to find treatment, keep my housing, and sustain myself during this difficult period of starting over. It would also give me the means to seek legal counsel to hold responsible parties accountable and make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. My life is not a trade for corporate quota.

Thank you.