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Imagine being injured on the job, then discovering you don't qualify for Workers' Compensation.
Thats what happened to a 21 year old Saskatoon man Dustin Desjarlais who was employed as a carnival worker during the
Saskatoon exhibition.
Desjarlais's head was struck by the ride he was operating on August 7th.
He has no memory of what happened, he only recalls waking up in a hospital bed with IV's in his arms and suffering from
extensive injuries.
"I have a fractured temple and have a bruised brain," Desjarlais during an interview. "I have headaches, and when I
move my eye, the left side of my brain hurts sometimes."
Desjarlais says his doctor has advised him not to work for one year.
It came as a complete shock when Desjarlais and his family found out their application to the Workers' Compensation Board
was denied.
WCB spokesperson Janice Siekawitch says travelling carnivals are among the 30 or so industries that are excluded from
coverage.
That includes "circus operations, travelling shows and trade shows".
"I can't speak to why something is excluded," Siekawitch says. "I don't know why."
Dan Kinar, Desjarlais' step father, says the process has been extremely stressful and frustrating. He's considering
hiring a lawyer and taking legal action to get some sort of compensation.
"What we're asking for is just what any other normal person would want. His wages until he's better, and medical
expenses," Kinar said.
Calls to North American Midway Entertainment were not immediately returned.
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Benson McCulloch