Romero says he’s been denied aid through insurance and is fighting for what
he thinks is due
Correspondent
SHREWSBURY — For the last eight years, Joseph Romeo Jr. has been there for the borough. Romeo, a member of the borough’s fire department throughout that time, has answered calls and has been proud to serve as a volunteer. Despite his service, he says, the borough is not treating him as he has treated it during those years.
Romeo suffered cardiac arrest Feb. 8 while responding to a call regarding a car fire.
Subsequently, he was denied workers’ compensation by Sciabol and Associates, Somers Point, the borough’s primary insurance carrier.
The insurer made the denial based on its determination that Romeo had a pre-existing heart condition.
When he was stricken, he was treated with a defibrillator by the borough’s police department and was sent to Riverview Medical Center, where he spent five days in critical care.
Romeo said he was never made aware of Sciabol’s policy on pre-existing conditions.
"There has been a lack of communication. This policy may not cover other volunteer firemen," he said. "I’ve got to get something done. I can’t even pay my taxes. I can’t even work anymore. All my bills have been sent to collections."
According to his wife, Dawn Romeo, he was in both Riverview and Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, for a total of two weeks and accumulated nearly $262,000 in medical bills.
"This is wrong," she said. "I am shocked that the town doesn’t let anyone know what’s going on."
She also said none of the borough firefighters were aware of the terms of Sciabol’s policy.
"Nothing is in writing. [The firefighters] wouldn’t be working if they knew," she said.
She added that Sciabol recently added amendments to its workers’ compensation policy that firefighters were not privy to.
Representatives from Sciabol refused to comment on this matter.
A representative of the company said company personnel does not respond to media inquiries and referred all calls to an attorney, Jim Cleary. Two phone calls placed to Cleary went unanswered and unreturned.
Councilman Terel Cooperhouse told the Romeos that the solution to the problem is not in the hands of the borough.
"You are dealing with New Jersey workers’ comp," he said. "You are not a borough employee. You need to get a lawyer."
Mayor Emilia Siciliano said Romeo can appeal to workers’ compensation court.
Dawn Romeo retorted that her husband is indeed an employee of the town and should not have to file an appeal.
"The town needs to fight it out with Sciabol," she said.
Several council members suggested Romeo apply for grants from firefighters’ funds and charity organizations.
But according to his wife, who said she is currently working three jobs to support her family, a gift from a charity would hardly alleviate their debt.
During the discussion with the Romeos, Cooperhouse said he would arrange an informational meeting for the borough’s first aid and fire department to discuss any questions or concerns about their insurance coverage through the borough.