DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I have a neighbor who has had a few bad breaks on the job, literally. He works construction and had back-to-back on-the-job injuries.
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I am semi-retired so when Paul asked if I would mind driving him to some of his physical therapy and doctor appointments since he hasn’t been able to drive, I said I would be glad to help.
That was three months ago, and I am beginning to think that not only is Paul taking advantage of his employers and their workers’ comp, but of me.
I have no problem helping someone out, but it seems to me that maybe Paul’s injuries aren’t nearly as bad as he is making them out to be. But if I’m wrong and stop taking him to his appointments, how does that make me look? --- CAN’T TELL
DEAR CAN’T TELL: Have you raised the subject of how long his treatments are expected to take with Paul? It’s not an unreasonable question to ask someone who’s rehabbing from multiple injuries. Nor should it come as a surprise to him that you’re invested in his recovery given how much of your own time you’ve put into helping him.
While it’s possible that he is indeed milking the system, it’s also possible that his multiple injuries are complicating his healing.
Feeling like you’re being taken advantage of is never pleasant, but if you’re genuinely helping a neighbor to get better, you’re doing something admirable.