Christopher S. Catlett
VIA E-MAIL
My name is Christopher S. Catlett, from 1998 – 2001 I was a
volunteer firefighter, medic and rescue diver in Virginia. I was also
employed in a Jail as a Medic. On April 8, 2001 I was participating in a
training school. Here, various departments of neighboring counties were
given the opportunity to improve their skills as an emergency service
provider and services they offer their community. I chose to participate
in this two-day course titled Rope Rescue I. The course is designated a
“high risk” class by the Department of Fire Rescue and NFPA Handbook. On
the second day of the course we were required to perform a maneuver
called a “pick-off.” This is when you are summoned to lend aid to
another firefighter that is stranded, stuck or otherwise unable to
ascend or descend from his current position. I began to prepare to
descend and perform my pick-off. I staged on the top of the rappelling
tower and began, then the next thing I remember was hearing a loud snap
and I slammed into the tower. It was my left knee; I tore my anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus. I fell out of control for about
8-10 feet and was stopped by my line belay. I was then lowered slowly to
the ground where I quickly assessed myself and determined that my injury
was definitely related to the snapping, popping and crunching sounds I
just heard. I lay in the dirt waiting for medical personnel to load me
up and make our way to the nearest Hospital. This ended up being about
an hour wait total, as there was no ambulance on the scene of the class.
Previously, as I mentioned that the NFPA Handbook and Department of Fire
Rescue designated this class as a “High Risk” class or exercise. It also
stated that during a “High Risk” class or exercise that a staffed
medical unit must be present and on-scene. The first ambulance that
arrived was immediately marked out of service due to a faulty braking
system therefore, another unit was required to respond and transport me.
At the hospital my wife, newborn daughter and my Fire Chief greeted
me. From the moment I was rolled into the ER my chief immediately began
to assure me that “everything will be ok,” “we take care of our own...
don’t worry.” As I lay there, thoughts of “what am I going to do now”
raced through my head. After some pain medicine and a few lessons on
the crutches I was on my way home and had an appointment first thing
with an Orthopedic Specialist.
This meeting proved to be a real eye opener. The Doctor examined me
and did a few tests to determine my actual injuries. Then she backed me
into a corner on a table and instructed me that this was “going to hurt
but don’t move.” She began to draw fluids off of my left knee which was
now the size of a large grapefruit / softball. As she quickly exchanged
one large syringe body for another, I could feel my knee beginning to
lie flat on the table. She then informed me that I had a torn ACL and
possible MM Damage as well. She wouldn’t know this for sure until I had
a CT scan and MRI.
After a knee brace and crutches, I was allowed to return to the
Jail as a medic. Everything was fine there, just doing the normal
routine for about 4 months after the accident. It was then I was called
into my Lieutenant’s office and was given the choice to either quit or
be terminated. When I asked why, I was told that I was a security risk.
Now, what all of sudden made me a security risk? Nothing had changed in
the way that I did things. They actually were improving due to my not
needing the crutches anymore.
Right away, I was informed that the governing body over all
Personnel in the county
Said that their policy was a “little” outdated… I asked what
policy? They said that they have an option in the state of Virginia to
carry an insurance policy or a workman’s compensation policy. I asked
how much it paid. They told me $200 a week and capped out at $200,000.00
for all medical bills, prescriptions etc.
The County managed to get about $1000 in donations and it was
greatly appreciated. After a call to a board member to discuss what else
could be done to help my family, and me I was told that I should be
happy with what I have already gotten and it wasn’t like I was a “real”
firefighter anyway. I was floored by this comment. The Doctor had
already scheduled me for numerous physical Therapy sessions to aid me
with walking and other common tasks before I had any surgical
procedures. As time goes on, and more doors are shut, the reality sinks
in that I am either going to have to move in with family back in ST.
Louis Missouri or try to make it in Virginia with a 3 month old and
wife. I chose to pack up and head back to Missouri. I posted a
“Help-Needed to Move” sign at the firehouse, and only two fellow
firefighters came to help out of a total of 65. Now, I was truly
beginning to see the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality of what I was
facing.
I moved back to Missouri and immediately followed up with one of
the best orthopedic surgeons that St. Louis has to offer. While under
his care I was given 8 series of shots to my knee, each series
consisting of 5 shots, numerous cortisone shots to count. 3 procedures
to my left knee, ACL reconstruction, medial meniscus reconstruction,
removing of debris and clean up joint. After this surgeon did all he
could do he sent me to his “big bone” Doctor that handles all the larger
bone procedures. He had watched my left knee continue to deteriorate
with time, and his plan was to let the joint wear out entirely before a
total knee replacement. That would give me a few more months without
surgery. This new Doctor performed 7 more procedures on my knee until
the fall of 2005.
Keep in mind, that during all of these operations I have flown back
and forth to Virginia 3 times for hearings with the workers compensation
board only to get the same answer each time. “You were not an employee
of the state,” “therefore this doesn’t apply to you.” I tried to get a
lawyer to take the case and by the time I found one, my window of
opportunity had expired. So I was left out in the cold.
During my last procedure, I capped out my insurance policy at
$200,000.00 and then Medicaid took over. I cannot walk on uneven
ground, cannot twist on my knee, cannot run, walk up steps or carry my
now 6 year-old daughter and I have a weight restriction of 15 pounds.
Before my injury, I had NO health problems. Everything was right
where it needed to be. Now, I have sleep apnea, chronic knee and leg
pain and my right knee is starting to bother me. I was told that its
arthritis that is starting to set in due to the injury. I will never be
able to perform my duties as a firefighter, medic or rescue diver much
less a medic in a correctional institute. Keep in mind that I use lead a
very active lifestyle, I was a fire medic, rescue diver and participated
in every training opportunity I could. I rode a mountain bike, swam and
walked all summer long.
Now, I am “pushing it” if I mow the grass.
Of course there are more details to my story but I have been
telling this story until I have become blue in the face. The short
version is this… I volunteered, was injured, told everything was going
to be alright, just about everyone turned their back on me and my
family, I moved to St Louis and received 10 surgeries since 2001. I am
now limited to a 15 pound weight restriction along with many others. I
hurt every day and it reminds me of what turned out to be the worst day
of not only mine but my family’s life – April 8, 2001 @ 10:04hrs.
Currently I am in contact with Brian J. Kvederas and have agreed to
help him with his endeavors.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to listen,
Sincerely,
Chris Catlett
