BWC approves claim for man who lost arm

The industrial accident victim will have all his medical bills paid.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has approved a claim for a Mineral Ridge man who lost part of his arm in an industrial accident earlier this week.
Emily Hicks, a BWC spokeswoman in Columbus, said Friday that the bureau expedited the claims process after learning of Dan Kuti's plight from a Vindicator article in Thursday's edition.
Hicks said the bureau initiated the claim after learning that the 36-year-old Kuti lost half of his left arm Tuesday evening while working at Vanex Tube Corp. in Niles.
Kuti lives on Ohltown-McDonald Road with his wife, Grace, and their two children, Justin, 13, and Sarah, 7. They are expecting their third child.
Grace Kuti said Friday that she was very relieved to learn about the assistance her husband will receive.
For himself, Kuti said from St. Elizabeth Health Center on Friday that he's "hangin' in there."
It normally takes two weeks to rule on a claim, Hicks said, noting that the public may believe it takes much longer because the appeals process can be long.
Immediate assistance
By allowing the claim, Hicks explained, BWC will begin immediately paying Kuti's medical bills. This includes physicians' charges, hospital stays, surgeries and psychological counseling.
A catastrophic nurse from the agency's Youngstown office has been assigned to him to put together a recovery program. This includes training so he can possibly return to the work force.
"We'll be taking care of all his medical needs," Hicks said. "We've only just begun to help him out."
In addition, Hicks explained, Vanex will continue to pay his wages of $8.75 an hour. If the company should decide to terminate the paycheck, BWC will pick up the cost.
Also, Kuti is eligible for a one-time BWC amputation award that ranges from $6,000 for the loss of a toe to $150,000 for an entire arm.
Kuti was injured when he attempted to put some cardboard into a rolling machine. His glove got caught in the machine, and his arm followed.
A friend, Shawn Wright of Newton Falls, turned off the machine, wrapped Kuti's arm in rags and used his own shirt as a tourniquet.
The Kutis had expressed concern about the medical bills that will be incurred because Vanex doesn't provide health benefits.
Kuti has been on Medicaid because of his low income but was informed it was going to be terminated because he made too much money working overtime.
yovich@vindy.com