To the editor:
On Nov. 26, 2011 I accidentally stepped into a tree well and fell onto a City of Kelowna sidewalk.
An RCMP officer saw me trying to get up and helped me. He called the ambulance for me.
Doctor put a cast on my right hand. Went to City Hall the next day and reported the accident. In two months my hand was getting worse, so I emailed claims dept. at City Hall.
The email wasn’t accepted.
Next day I phoned the person I originally talked to and was told another person will be handling my case and will be contacted by him. Took my email address.
Three months later no contact.
I went to see this person in April, 2012. He told me my file was on his desk (three months?). Was told it will be handled by their insurance adjuster.
Nine months after I fell, they put a little more dirt in the tree well.
On 15th of October I received a letter from the adjuster stating my claim was denied. The reason given was that the tree well was not part of the sidewalk.
I beg to differ on that. I got photos of the location. Trees on or near sidewalks should have grates around them.
I guess I have to live with the pain for the rest of my life, with limited use of my right hand. I fell right by the library on Ellis Street.
Nick Papov,
Kelowna
