Edmond’s life was turned upside down when, doing his duty as a sheriff’s deputy, he was bitten by a prisoner. Even though HIV tests on him and the prisoner came back negative within 24 hours he was encouraged to continue AIDS drugs for 12 weeks (he managed 10 despite excruciating side effects).
The antiretroviral (AIDS) drugs caused a condition called Sarcoidosis, non-cancerous tumors throughout the body. The solution was high dose prednisone which caused such severe bone loss that Edmond needed both hips replaced. Compounding the tragedy, at every turn he was denied compensation. Although sarcoidosis after AIDS drugs is well known, it has never been reported before in HIV-negative people (well, duh! HIV-negative people hardly ever taken AIDS drugs!). Therefore, the experts said, there was no proof the drugs caused sarcoidosis in Edmond. Edmond has exhausted all avenues of appeal and now just wants to get his story out to help others.
You can read one of the decisions that went against him. It is both illuminating and chilling.
Some photographs of Edmond help illustrate the story.
If you are interested in interviewing Edmond or just talking with him please contact us at info@howpositiveareyou.com and we will put you in touch with him.
Christine Maggiore really wanted to help Edmond McNack get his story out. But, after taping an introduction, technical problems prevented taping on December 10th, 2008. And by December 27th she was gone. This podcast includes her original introduction and an interview conducted later by David Crowe and Celia Farber.
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I would like to know why a case of this magnitude would be heard in front of the very people that he was seeking relief from.I do not know work comp law but this case sounds like a losing case from the start. First off the ALJ may be a liberal judge, but this sounds like she was not willing to make a ruling in the claimants favor simply because she places her very position in jepordy as being a judge who rules in the employee favor.
When in fact this case appears to speak for itself #1 just because there were no case studies out on the affect of HARRT on HIV negative people but there were case studies done on HIV positive people that developed sarcoidosis after taking HARRT does not mean it could not happen in this individual.There is always a first. I do not believe all of the fault in this guys case falls completely on the medical community, yes the medical community did make a mistake by giving him the medication but the legal system should have made the right decision in compensating this police office for the damage that was done.
I believe the ALJ was covering her (butt) because of the polictical atmosphere at the time which the republicains ruled. I believe that this case would have more than likely paid in the upper 6 figures if not a millon dollar case, so what reason would the ALJ have to rule in the claimaints favor when she works for the same entity and could have very well been protecting her position. It is unfortunate for this guy and his attorney that there is no one to look into the judges.Even though this Dr.Wasfi character did not have the gutts to come out and say that this guys sarcoidosis happened this way she basically covered her butt as well(and she got paid by who) exactly.
Even though the burden of proof is placed on the claimant and his attorney you would have to have Judges who are going to take a serious look at cases such as this one and if a judge feels that he or she is not certain or sure enough in thier own ability to make the right decision maybe we the public should be allowed to hear such cases and make the final decesions(what a thought). My final thought is that this guy was royally screwed by the very system that he worked for and the very people that he put his life on the line to protect. Thank God I dont work for Jackson County Mo
Interesting point that the government hears workmen’s compensation cases and also pays for them. It’s unfortunate that this was 10 years ago and we can’t reopen the case. I’m sure it could have been won and, as you say, we’re probably talking 6 or 7 figures.
Hello,My name is Angela and I am the woman in the photo as Edmonds angel.Edmond has received alot of e-mails over the years inregards to the case.I have read and heard many comments about Edmonds case over the years and I would like for everyone to know that Edmond is doing well,he has had some setbacks dealing with the medications that he takes to combat the sarcoidosis but all in all he’s good.Maybe one day justice will be served for Edmond.Please keep us in your prayers.GOD BLESS
In a case like this you need not think that you are going to prevail.From the big Phramacuetical Companies,Judges,and Doctors who wash each others backs,this is a perfect example of how corrupt the system is.It really does’nt matter if this case took place 10 or 20 years ago it’s corruption at it’s best.In this case you have the Workman’s Compensation Judge who is not looking for the truth or allowing her (Judge McKeon)mind to believe that this could have possibly happened the way Mcnack and his Attorney said it did.People listen to me when your talking 6 or 7 dollar figures there is no way any African American man is going to be awarded a work comp judgement of this figure.#1 The ALJ(McKeon)has already discussed this case with the upper heads and now has to find a way to deny this man without to much suspicion and she(McKeon)found a way in a Dr.Wasfi from the National Jewish Center in Denver Co.Dr.Wasfi has no expertise in HAART medication and it’s effects on Hiv-Negative or Hiv-Positive people.Dr.Wasfi is a doctor who practice medicine(Pulmonary Medicine)at this hospital in Denver.The reason Mcnack was sent there was because of the sarcoid that he was diagnosed with.Listen people Easy Payday for Dr.Wasfi,all she had to say was she has no expert knowledge of HAART causing sarcoid in a healthy person and (WAALAA)the Judge has all she needs.Did you see how this guy was sent to a top notch resps. hospital not to a top notch facility that studies the effects of HAART medication.Now topped with her(Dr.Wasfi’s)rattling statements the Judge(McKeon)can’t spell her own name.Mcnack is DENIED his Judgement for compensation and Judge McKeon keeps her position and does’nt have to work in some traffic court in(Bum Jack China).#2 Now Mcnack appeals his case to the Appellant Court who already has knowledge of his case from Judge McKeon the ALJ.Here is what happened.Now the Chairman and Member who ruled against Mcnack are making an example out of Mcnack by saying The Appellant Court is not going to overule the lower courts decision (Because of the dollar amount or pure RACISM)to make a point to others who appeal the lower courts rulings (DON’T DO IT)did’nt you see what we did to this Public Servant and we will do it to YOU.#3 There is hope in the Appellant Court in the name of Judge Hickey who was the dissenting Judge (STRONGLY DISSENTED)who must have a Royal Set and said Let Justice Prevail,unfortunately for Mcnack and his Lawyer the other three Judges have no ethics and allow a DIRTY DOLLAR a DIRTY DOLLAR.I am a young but proud White Man who’s not afraid of the truth and I believe if this case was me I would have WON,get the picture.Thanks for Freedom of Speech
Angela, I just wanted to thank you for being there for Edmond through all his incredible troubles. You surely are an angel here on earth!
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