I was employed by the state of North Dakota for 26 years. For 25 years, my work consisted of desk duties. I was considered a good employee and was well thought of by customers. The last year I was employed with the state, my employer assigned me work in a printing area. It was an either-or situation - either you work in printing, or we can't keep you employed.

I was injured doing these new duties. I had less than a year to reach the rule of 85 for retirement. These injuries will impact me the rest of my life, and I was forced to resign from my employment because I could no longer do these duties. The agency I worked for is Central Services, a division of the Office of Management and Budget.

Workforce Safety and Insurance demonstrates once again where its loyalty lies. For the past year and a half, I have cooperated with WSI and backed up comments with documents to verify information. In November 2004, a WSI supervisor offered a settlement by telephone, making reference to the investigation report. When I declined the settlement, she stated that they would set up an independent medical examination, and I could end up with nothing.

Why aren't these settlements done in writing, like other decisions or notices? Is the intimidation necessary? After I read the investigation report, I was convinced my decision not to settle was correct. The investigation report contains new, conflicting information given by all reporting - yes, even the investigator. What I find interesting is that information given in the report is contradicted by other documents or comments within the report.

To those who have never experienced a WSI claim, this will seem absurd. Those who have experienced a WSI claim that their employer contested will know the frustration involved.

What happens to the credibility of an employer who gives false information, and what are they trying to cover up? In my case, the employer was the state. Is this the type of leadership North Dakota provides and supports at taxpayer expense? Is this the type of investigation WSI requests? I think WSI encourages the investigation to sway in the employer's favor, and they get what they pay for.

I think every North Dakotan needs to take a good look at WSI, because work injuries can happen to anyone. What is happening to the North Dakota values that helped make our state what it is today? If this behavior isn't stopped, we as North Dakotans have lost much more than WSI claims.

I took WSI's fraud statement seriously and worked diligently to provide correct information. Perhaps WSI's fraud statement could be reworded to say, "Any employer who provides the most misguided information will be held in our highest esteem." Their agency could be called "Workers Injured - Suckered by Employers," or WISE.

The investigator was correct when he mentioned I had many documents. Work isn't done until the paperwork is complete, and I have only just begun.

Do we still have our values, or are they only a platform used by politicians to win elections?

Time will tell.