Help Amy McGee Get Her Life Back
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Hector Squiabro and I'm starting this GoFundMe for my friend Amy McGee who incurred a debilitating injury which affects her ability to earn a living. Stated below is her firsthand account of the events leading up to her injury and all the hoops she's had to jump through to ultimately receive very little to no assistance. The images that are on the front of this campaign is her x-rays.
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I guess I have to start from the beginning, so here goes. (Names have been changed obviously)
I moved to St Thomas, USVI Jan 10, 2019. I had originally years ago researched St Croix and intended on moving there, but I had a friend from high school that lived here. I chose St Thomas.
My first job on island was at the Caribbean Saloon. I worked 6:30-close. The doors closed at 4, but by the time we cleaned and counted it was sometimes 5 or 6 before we got done. I LOVED my job and the people I worked for and with, but the hours started to wear on me.
In August I was approached by a woman named “Sabrina” that was the General Manager for a restaurant that was opening in Sept, and she offered me a bartending job. I accepted and gave my two week notice. During the next few weeks I worked for cash cleaning up the bar in preparation for opening.
“Sabrina” rarely showed up and ultimately quit. Richard, the owner, offered me the GM position, and I eventually accepted the offer. The agreement was he paid me $850 net a week salary. I was in charge of day to day operations. The only thing I did not handle were the financials, including payroll.
I jumped in feet first, and all I focused on was getting the restaurant opened successfully. Sept 23, we had our soft opening for friends and family, and from there we hit the ground running.
Richard hated the island and in December offered the restaurant to me in an owner/management position. Basically, he would leave island and have operating capital available for me to run the day to day operations. There was also a buyout option after a year. I refused the offer. Richard then asked me to stay on with the restaurant through a potential sell and offered to buy me a personal vehicle as a bonus if I did. He also reassured me that my position would be secured through the sale.
In the beginning of January, I was approached by Richard and given a stack of 1099’s and asked to have each employee fill one out. I was also given the paychecks for that week. I was told not to give the employees their paychecks until they filled out the forms. I told him I would not withhold employee paychecks for any reason, but I would get the forms filled out the best I could. When I approached my employees, they were confused and concerned since they had not been informed that their withholdings were not being taken out. On several previous instances, I had employees question their checks and when Richard was asked about differences between their hours and paycheck amounts they were told taxes were being withheld.
I was excited about new ownership. It was apparent that Richard was not capable of owning a successful restaurant, and I eagerly anticipated positive changes.
Jan 23, 2020, I had worked a double; managing morning shift/ bartending the closing shift. “Velma” were closing up, and I slipped and fell on a slick stairway. I didn't just fall; I hit three steps on the way down. Once I started falling, I couldn't stop. I tried to hold the handrail to stop myself, and I couldn't, the handrail was very large such that it was too large to grab hold of. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. Velma helped me finish closing, and I went home. I told Richard what happened and that I needed to go to the dr and have X-rays done. He asked me how I was going to afford xrays and MRI’s without a job to pay for it.
I was scared to lose my job. I worked so hard to open that restaurant. I was obsessed with making it a success, and now I fell and I’m worried about getting fired? I could barely walk and had pain going down both of my legs. I have several texts conversations with Richard expressing the pain I was in and that I could not walk without pain (in addition to pictures and witness statements) In every conversation he dismissed my pain and offered nothing other than mocking my pain or making references to my being unemployed if I’m hurt really bad.
On Thursday Jan 30th I met the new owners. I asked several times to sit down and talk to them about the fall and that I needed to see a dr. They would not sit down and talk to me. I continued to work although in constant and obvious pain. On Feb 4th, the pain was so bad and running down my legs. I was serving tables with tears in my eyes and finally told the new owners that I had to make a dr apt because something was really wrong.
I made an appt with Caribbean Chiropractic for Feb 6. I didn't have orthopedic dr money, and I know a chiropractor can’t adjust you without doing X-rays. It seemed like the perfect solution. I went to my apt, and he examined me and told me he would not touch me. He sent me for X-rays and put me on 10 day medical leave. I did the X-rays and called the new owners and told them everything. I asked if I needed to come by and bring the dr excuse, and I was told to go straight home and get rest so I could come back to work.
I was in contact with the new owners from the moment I was put on medical leave. Texting employees, sales reps, and posting online specials etc. The new owners asked me to come in over the weekend, and I asked them if they could come to me. I didn't have a vehicle, and the safari rides weren’t an option due to my pain. On Feb 11th, I was asked to go to the restaurant and bring my keys and laptop. I had received several calls from employees telling me that my job was in jeopardy.
I showed up and recorded the meeting. They fired me. They said they needed a manager that could be on property. I told them I had fallen on the property while on the clock. I was told that it was not their problem, it was Richard’s problem. They paid me my last check and even shorted me on that.
I was in complete shock. This couldn’t be happening. I worked so hard. I only had one day off a week and did inventory on that day. The restaurant was my life. I was devastated and broken. I had just moved to the island a year before. I didn't know how worker’s compensation works, because I’ve never been hurt on a job. I’ve never worked with anyone hurt on a job.
So I called worker's compensation and asked them what the process is. I was told that the employer has to file the paperwork, and it has to be signed in original ink by him. Then I tried to find an attorney. I met with one that told me that they could fire me for any reason and to file with workers compensation. So I called workers compensation back and told them that my employer wouldn’t cooperate with me and asked about my options, and I was told that it had to be signed in original ink by the employer or they wouldn’t even consider my case.
I had a previous trip planned to Louisiana in December and had to cancel bc of the restaurant. Tony and I agreed on switching my vacation to Feb so that I could be home for Mardi Gras (feb 19-march 4) and see my grandmother who’s health was declining. Although it was nice to see family and friends, it was a rough trip. I had to sit most of the time and was in constant pain.
I returned on March 4 and called worker’s compensation again and was told the same thing. I sent a text message to Richard on March 6th, informing him that I needed his signature to file the workers compensation claim. I was given his address and was told that he would get it to his attorney.
On March 13, my grandmother passed. I flew back to Louisiana for the funeral. March 16, I received a text message stating that due to Covid I was being evicted from my home.
I had given up. The pain was not getting any better. Richard wouldn’t cooperate. I had called worker’s compensation several times and was told the same thing. I didn't know what to do. Everything was shut down everywhere at this point so even if I was physically able to get a job I couldn’t.
I went online and applied for unemployment on May 5 and spoke to my representative “Angel” on May 9th and told her my situation. She told me to file for unemployment so that I have income through the journey. She also told me to go back to the island and fight for them to fix my back. She told me the restaurant could not fire me because I was injured on their property. She also told me that once I get back to the island and file my workers compensation claim that I may have to pay back the unemployment. I told her I was fine with whatever had to be done. So I began making plans to return to the island and fight.
I borrowed money from my family to get back to the island and returned on May 30th, 2020. I went to worker’s compensation and asked what I needed to do to file a claim. I was asked when I fell and I told her the date. She told me I was going to have to prove my case. So I called witnesses and Caribbean Saloon and gathered all of the statements I could. I also submitted pictures of my bruises after I fell, pictures of texts conversations, etc.
My case was approved in June, and I began the process of seeing orthopedic drs at COG. After xrays, MRI, injections, and physical therapy that was too painful to continue I was referred to the spinal surgeon on island used by VIDOL. After reviewing my records and examining me, he determined that my only option in order to have quality of life is surgery. That was on Sept 12, 2020.
During this time period I also received a letter from USVI Department of Labor Unemployment saying that my claim had been denied. The reason stated was that my employer cited the reason for termination as “an extended vacation” when I have them on record firing me while on medical leave. They did, however, acknowledge that I had fallen under previous ownership.
I called and spoke to my representative and filled out documents on October 23 regarding disability. In April 2018, I had hip surgery to repair a double hip impingement (a birth defect) and they requested my medical files from that surgery, so I also filled out a medical release form.
On November 18, I emailed the medical records to my workers compensation representative.
On January 14, 2021, I called my rep to check on the status of my surgery approval, and I was told that my surgery had been denied. My rep said that i did not qualify for any assistance. I asked what are my options? I was told that I would be scheduled an appointment to discuss the reason my surgery was denied with a doctor that had reviewed my case.
On Jan 15, I received an email from the outside firm that was hired to review my case. There was no doctor scheduled on the call. Jan 19, my workers compensation rep called me and added one other person to the call and at that point I informed them that I was recording the call. I was told that they would not agree to being recorded. At that point I requested my denial in writing, and my rep agreed.
March 3, 2021, I sent a certified letter to the Dept of Labor requesting the reason for my denial and any information regarding an appeal. I received receipt confirmation that it was received on March 4, 2021.
March 25, 2021 I found an old email from the woman on the conference call and sent her an email requesting the reason for surgery denial. In response, I was told the claim is no longer with their company so there’s nothing they can do.
I have lived without the ability to provide income for myself or a quality of life for 451 days. I was referred for spinal surgery by VI Department Of Labor’s spinal surgeon on September 12th, 2020, and today is April 19, 2021.
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When Amy started reaching out to her friends regarding this matter I pitched medical tourism as last ditch option. Surprisingly she ran with it and got in touch with Spinal Connection. They made recommendations and want to help her get the surgery she needs. For that to happen though she needs to raise enough for the surgery and travel to Germany. Most of the money raised for this campaign will be to directly pay for the surgery which is 5 times less expensive than it would be in any US hospital. The rest would be for travel, room and board for her and her boyfriend who is currently acting as her caregiver. The sooner we fix Amy's back, the sooner she gets back to work. Thanks for reading and helping out if you can.
P.S. You can blame me for the back puns. I ran it by Amy and she thought it just her brand of corny humor so I left it in. :)
******************************************
I guess I have to start from the beginning, so here goes. (Names have been changed obviously)
I moved to St Thomas, USVI Jan 10, 2019. I had originally years ago researched St Croix and intended on moving there, but I had a friend from high school that lived here. I chose St Thomas.
My first job on island was at the Caribbean Saloon. I worked 6:30-close. The doors closed at 4, but by the time we cleaned and counted it was sometimes 5 or 6 before we got done. I LOVED my job and the people I worked for and with, but the hours started to wear on me.
In August I was approached by a woman named “Sabrina” that was the General Manager for a restaurant that was opening in Sept, and she offered me a bartending job. I accepted and gave my two week notice. During the next few weeks I worked for cash cleaning up the bar in preparation for opening.
“Sabrina” rarely showed up and ultimately quit. Richard, the owner, offered me the GM position, and I eventually accepted the offer. The agreement was he paid me $850 net a week salary. I was in charge of day to day operations. The only thing I did not handle were the financials, including payroll.
I jumped in feet first, and all I focused on was getting the restaurant opened successfully. Sept 23, we had our soft opening for friends and family, and from there we hit the ground running.
Richard hated the island and in December offered the restaurant to me in an owner/management position. Basically, he would leave island and have operating capital available for me to run the day to day operations. There was also a buyout option after a year. I refused the offer. Richard then asked me to stay on with the restaurant through a potential sell and offered to buy me a personal vehicle as a bonus if I did. He also reassured me that my position would be secured through the sale.
In the beginning of January, I was approached by Richard and given a stack of 1099’s and asked to have each employee fill one out. I was also given the paychecks for that week. I was told not to give the employees their paychecks until they filled out the forms. I told him I would not withhold employee paychecks for any reason, but I would get the forms filled out the best I could. When I approached my employees, they were confused and concerned since they had not been informed that their withholdings were not being taken out. On several previous instances, I had employees question their checks and when Richard was asked about differences between their hours and paycheck amounts they were told taxes were being withheld.
I was excited about new ownership. It was apparent that Richard was not capable of owning a successful restaurant, and I eagerly anticipated positive changes.
Jan 23, 2020, I had worked a double; managing morning shift/ bartending the closing shift. “Velma” were closing up, and I slipped and fell on a slick stairway. I didn't just fall; I hit three steps on the way down. Once I started falling, I couldn't stop. I tried to hold the handrail to stop myself, and I couldn't, the handrail was very large such that it was too large to grab hold of. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. Velma helped me finish closing, and I went home. I told Richard what happened and that I needed to go to the dr and have X-rays done. He asked me how I was going to afford xrays and MRI’s without a job to pay for it.
I was scared to lose my job. I worked so hard to open that restaurant. I was obsessed with making it a success, and now I fell and I’m worried about getting fired? I could barely walk and had pain going down both of my legs. I have several texts conversations with Richard expressing the pain I was in and that I could not walk without pain (in addition to pictures and witness statements) In every conversation he dismissed my pain and offered nothing other than mocking my pain or making references to my being unemployed if I’m hurt really bad.
On Thursday Jan 30th I met the new owners. I asked several times to sit down and talk to them about the fall and that I needed to see a dr. They would not sit down and talk to me. I continued to work although in constant and obvious pain. On Feb 4th, the pain was so bad and running down my legs. I was serving tables with tears in my eyes and finally told the new owners that I had to make a dr apt because something was really wrong.
I made an appt with Caribbean Chiropractic for Feb 6. I didn't have orthopedic dr money, and I know a chiropractor can’t adjust you without doing X-rays. It seemed like the perfect solution. I went to my apt, and he examined me and told me he would not touch me. He sent me for X-rays and put me on 10 day medical leave. I did the X-rays and called the new owners and told them everything. I asked if I needed to come by and bring the dr excuse, and I was told to go straight home and get rest so I could come back to work.
I was in contact with the new owners from the moment I was put on medical leave. Texting employees, sales reps, and posting online specials etc. The new owners asked me to come in over the weekend, and I asked them if they could come to me. I didn't have a vehicle, and the safari rides weren’t an option due to my pain. On Feb 11th, I was asked to go to the restaurant and bring my keys and laptop. I had received several calls from employees telling me that my job was in jeopardy.
I showed up and recorded the meeting. They fired me. They said they needed a manager that could be on property. I told them I had fallen on the property while on the clock. I was told that it was not their problem, it was Richard’s problem. They paid me my last check and even shorted me on that.
I was in complete shock. This couldn’t be happening. I worked so hard. I only had one day off a week and did inventory on that day. The restaurant was my life. I was devastated and broken. I had just moved to the island a year before. I didn't know how worker’s compensation works, because I’ve never been hurt on a job. I’ve never worked with anyone hurt on a job.
So I called worker's compensation and asked them what the process is. I was told that the employer has to file the paperwork, and it has to be signed in original ink by him. Then I tried to find an attorney. I met with one that told me that they could fire me for any reason and to file with workers compensation. So I called workers compensation back and told them that my employer wouldn’t cooperate with me and asked about my options, and I was told that it had to be signed in original ink by the employer or they wouldn’t even consider my case.
I had a previous trip planned to Louisiana in December and had to cancel bc of the restaurant. Tony and I agreed on switching my vacation to Feb so that I could be home for Mardi Gras (feb 19-march 4) and see my grandmother who’s health was declining. Although it was nice to see family and friends, it was a rough trip. I had to sit most of the time and was in constant pain.
I returned on March 4 and called worker’s compensation again and was told the same thing. I sent a text message to Richard on March 6th, informing him that I needed his signature to file the workers compensation claim. I was given his address and was told that he would get it to his attorney.
On March 13, my grandmother passed. I flew back to Louisiana for the funeral. March 16, I received a text message stating that due to Covid I was being evicted from my home.
I had given up. The pain was not getting any better. Richard wouldn’t cooperate. I had called worker’s compensation several times and was told the same thing. I didn't know what to do. Everything was shut down everywhere at this point so even if I was physically able to get a job I couldn’t.
I went online and applied for unemployment on May 5 and spoke to my representative “Angel” on May 9th and told her my situation. She told me to file for unemployment so that I have income through the journey. She also told me to go back to the island and fight for them to fix my back. She told me the restaurant could not fire me because I was injured on their property. She also told me that once I get back to the island and file my workers compensation claim that I may have to pay back the unemployment. I told her I was fine with whatever had to be done. So I began making plans to return to the island and fight.
I borrowed money from my family to get back to the island and returned on May 30th, 2020. I went to worker’s compensation and asked what I needed to do to file a claim. I was asked when I fell and I told her the date. She told me I was going to have to prove my case. So I called witnesses and Caribbean Saloon and gathered all of the statements I could. I also submitted pictures of my bruises after I fell, pictures of texts conversations, etc.
My case was approved in June, and I began the process of seeing orthopedic drs at COG. After xrays, MRI, injections, and physical therapy that was too painful to continue I was referred to the spinal surgeon on island used by VIDOL. After reviewing my records and examining me, he determined that my only option in order to have quality of life is surgery. That was on Sept 12, 2020.
During this time period I also received a letter from USVI Department of Labor Unemployment saying that my claim had been denied. The reason stated was that my employer cited the reason for termination as “an extended vacation” when I have them on record firing me while on medical leave. They did, however, acknowledge that I had fallen under previous ownership.
I called and spoke to my representative and filled out documents on October 23 regarding disability. In April 2018, I had hip surgery to repair a double hip impingement (a birth defect) and they requested my medical files from that surgery, so I also filled out a medical release form.
On November 18, I emailed the medical records to my workers compensation representative.
On January 14, 2021, I called my rep to check on the status of my surgery approval, and I was told that my surgery had been denied. My rep said that i did not qualify for any assistance. I asked what are my options? I was told that I would be scheduled an appointment to discuss the reason my surgery was denied with a doctor that had reviewed my case.
On Jan 15, I received an email from the outside firm that was hired to review my case. There was no doctor scheduled on the call. Jan 19, my workers compensation rep called me and added one other person to the call and at that point I informed them that I was recording the call. I was told that they would not agree to being recorded. At that point I requested my denial in writing, and my rep agreed.
March 3, 2021, I sent a certified letter to the Dept of Labor requesting the reason for my denial and any information regarding an appeal. I received receipt confirmation that it was received on March 4, 2021.
March 25, 2021 I found an old email from the woman on the conference call and sent her an email requesting the reason for surgery denial. In response, I was told the claim is no longer with their company so there’s nothing they can do.
I have lived without the ability to provide income for myself or a quality of life for 451 days. I was referred for spinal surgery by VI Department Of Labor’s spinal surgeon on September 12th, 2020, and today is April 19, 2021.
****************************************
When Amy started reaching out to her friends regarding this matter I pitched medical tourism as last ditch option. Surprisingly she ran with it and got in touch with Spinal Connection. They made recommendations and want to help her get the surgery she needs. For that to happen though she needs to raise enough for the surgery and travel to Germany. Most of the money raised for this campaign will be to directly pay for the surgery which is 5 times less expensive than it would be in any US hospital. The rest would be for travel, room and board for her and her boyfriend who is currently acting as her caregiver. The sooner we fix Amy's back, the sooner she gets back to work. Thanks for reading and helping out if you can.
P.S. You can blame me for the back puns. I ran it by Amy and she thought it just her brand of corny humor so I left it in. :)
Co-organizers (3)
Hector A. Squiabro
Organizer
Charlotte Amalie West, United Sta
Tyler Stoddard
Beneficiary
Amy McGee
Co-organizer
Brandon Pender
Co-organizer