UPDATE, 4pm EST, 2/25:
A Huffington Post commenter has received the following email from McDonald's:
Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's to let us know your thoughts on this unfortunate incident.
This restaurant is an independently owned McDonald's and an insurance claim is still pending. As such, it is not appropriate for us to comment on it, however, the owner/operator, Ray Nosler, has shared the following statement publicly about this case:February 24, 2009
My highest priority is the safety and security of my customers and employees.I stand behind Nigel Haskett. I believe he acted as a Good Samaritan. Concerning the critical matter of his medical expenses, it is important to note that the Arkansas Worker's Compensation Commission ultimately decides the outcome of his claim. As part of this process, Nigel's case will be presented to a Worker's Compensation judge, who will review all of the facts and decide on the case's merits.
McDonald's supports Nigel's claim, and fully anticipates the judge in this process will find in Nigel's favor. As a safeguard, if for some reason his claim is denied, and other insurance options are unavailable, I intend to cover the cost of his medical expenses.
I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do for Nigel.
Ray Nosler, McDonald's Owner/Operator
Kayla
McDonald's Customer Response Centerref#:5808350
Hopefully it won't come down to Mr. Nosler paying for Haskett's medical costs out of pocket, but regardless, this is an incredible gesture by the franchise owner.
Eyebrows are raised as high as golden arches at the colossal cold-heartedness that McDonald's has shown in regards to the treatment of its employee, Nigel Haskett.
Last summer Haskett was working at a McDonald's in Little Rock, Arkansas when he jumped from his post to take down a man who was abusing a woman in the fast-food joint. As the two men tussled, Haskett was shot multiple times. His recovery has required several operations amounting to $300,000 in medical bills. A hero? Not according to Mickey D's.
No, instead the company is pushing to deny Haskett any worker's compensation that could go towards paying down his medical debt and moving on with his life.
According to the Arkansas Times,
Haskett filed a claim with the state Workers Compensation Commission. Misty Thompson, a claims specialist with McDonald's insurer, Ramsey, Krug, Farrell and Lensing, said in a letter to the Commission that "we have denied this claim in its entirety as it is our opinion that Mr. Haskett's injuries did not arise out of or within the course and scope of his employment."
Chances are McDonald's will be shamed by the press into playing nice with Haskett. That would be wonderful for him, I'm sure. But it's incidents like this that should be eye-opening to all Americans. Lately we've been asking people to do their part and pitch in, that we need to look out for each other no matter the personal cost. A 21-year-old kid heeded that call and nearly died in the process. Corporations, apparently, haven't gotten the message yet.
McDonald's Denies Benefits To Hero Employee - Digital Journal ...
The Raw Story | McDonald's: No workers comp for employee shot ...
On the other hand, there's the case of Taneka Talley, a Dollar Tree employee in Fairfield, CA, who was stabbed to death at work by a total stranger who walked into the store and killed her simply because she was African-American. Dollar Tree and workers' comp finally agreed after nearly 3 years to pay benefits to Taneka's son, but only after being publicly shamed by the local press coverage. This case is clear-cut. Taneka would not have died that day if she had not been at work doing her job. She did nothing to provoke the man, yet her family had to fight to get what they deserved for Taneka's son.
I bet the state refuses to grant workman's comp, and wins the appeal. This was a stupid, non-work related activity and neither McDonalds, the state, nor the franchise owner should pay.
He did the right thing--a thing that most people are too cowardly and self-involved to understand. I hope that if me or mine ever need rescuing, we are in the presence of a brave individual such as this one, rather than cowardly individuals who think that calling 911 and going on their merry way are enough to assuage their tentative facade of community duty.
THe question is the training. I have to disagree with David Weiner's assessment of McDonald's training. I am no fan of McDonald's, but I know that where ever I go when I order a Big Mac it is the same as everywhere else. McDonald's is not the same wonderland of incompetence that is Fast Food in the US.
The "hero" is out of place in work place response to criminal behavior, call 911 first. Then by all means never engage a person in the act of a violent crime. This is not cowardice it is common sense. What would the verdict here be if the perpetrator had not stopped by shooting the "hero" and had taken shots at the other employees, or a stray bullet in the fray had landed in someone else.
The US people live in a false view of the romantic west where the lone man takes on the rouges and wins. It was rarely true in real life.
Stop Think and call the cavalry, take any action at a distance, and if there is a need to actually engage a perpetrator remember you are on your own, do not expect reward for your action. Isn't that what a hero is anyway.
I hope that things work out well for Mr. Haskett and that McDonald's and Mr. Nosler make good on their promises. I hope that like the Huffington Post, media that has brought attention to the original problem also publicize the promise of help to Mr. Haskett. The additional coverage may help ensure that he gets what he needs.
Why are we the only modern country without it?
We are the only modern country without good national health care, without good national rail systems, without safe infrastructure ------ Hey! A pattern!
I agree, I'd love to take express trains across the country or from my town to the closest large city. But the investment would be titanic. I'm hoping that new technology will make construction and operation cheaper. For that matter, I'm curious what Japan's total rail budget and per capita annual cost are.
let's hope that his statement is sincere and not something written by a McDonald's PR flack ...............
In truth, this guy made a decision, perhaps even a heroic one, but it ran against stated and published company policy. Further, the original story seemed to be a bit biased. Nonetheless, no one is willing to pay anything. Not the government, not the hospital, and not any insurance that might exist (and probably doesn't) and certainly not McD. Now, this private franchise owner says he'll pay. Good of him. It's not corporate McD making this offer.
On the bright side, he probably has a suit against McD concerning their lack of effective security policy and training that directly led to his injuries. You might say "who on earth doesn't know gang members are armed and dangerous", but I think not.
mcdonalds is that the price you value life? billions and billions Sold is right
who's to say he didn't save someone, anyone or everyone's life that night there? how would Roy Nosler feel if he were being in her place, being with someone at that level of lack of self control as to shoot a brother at all.
a rare transparency and a boycott should ravage their tables empty
Obviously McDonalds doesn't care if their patrons have a safe environment in which to dine.
But that's the American Corporate way: Don't pay decent wages, don't provide healthcare, bust unions, do the bare minimum for the most profit, and get your lawyers and flacks to defend your actions.
They'll pay $250 an hour for a lawyer before hiring security or giving out a raise of 10 cents an hour making sure their establishment is secure for patrons and employees.
The system is so broken.
When I worked at a restaurant, I was told to call the police and let them confront a violent customer because, "they might have a gun."
In the video, the man struck the woman, but then took a step away from her. Tackling the man at that point was clearly not the way to defuse the situation. This is why confronting violent people is the job of the police. They know how to handle violent people, are authorized to do so and are covered for any injuries they sustain - because those injuries definitely arrise from their work duties.
If you have to get involved in a violent situation, try shouting "stop" or "hey, this guy's hitting her, someone call the police" or something of the sort, but don't tackle the guy. These days, the chances are good that he's got a gun.