While there are many cases in which an injured worker may have difficulty receiving their workers’ compensation, there are cases in which it is important for consumers to verify whether or not a company has workers’ compensation.
In an interesting tree trimming case, a man was left with a mess.
The man hired a tree and landscaping company $500 to do some pruning. The company started the job, but they didn’t finish it.
After he was unsuccessful at reaching the company, the man lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. He found out that the company had an F rating because of 11 other complaints that had not been resolved. The man also found that there is not much that can be done to hold such a business accountable for their actions.
What this company, Northern Lights Tree and Landscape, did was solicit door-to-door, providing very little information about itself, including the fact it does not carry business registration or a license. However, homeowners kept using its services because of the affordability and the promise to finish the job quickly.
Finally contacted, the owner of the company admitted that certain government rules are not followed and that he is not bonded like his flier says. He said the reason why the customer’s job was not finished was because his chipper had been broken and that he would ensure the job would be done.
However, the company is not licensed, bonded, and insured as it states. It is also a much different entity from a company with a similar name in Duluth.
As for the case of the jilted customer, the tree trimmer showed up at the man’s door late in 2012 and was paid cash immediately. When no one came back to remove the debris, the man contacted his Chamber of Commerce and found out that the company wasn’t registered to solicit door-to-door. He also found that there was no tree-care license.
Now the man still has a huge mess in his front yard and he wants it removed. He said he left over 40 voicemails requesting a response and/or a refund. The check was cashed and no one ever showed back up. They did not dig out an old stump and roots, nor cut down shrubs and put yard items back in their places.
So what this means is that customers need to first check with their communities before paying a company to take on such tasks for them. It is also important to check workers’ compensation insurance with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Also ask for a door-to-door permit and if you are not told of your right to cancel services within three days, then be wary.