To hear Jeff Landie modestly tell his small business story, Sloan Productions is “just a two-man production company—we run the office, and run the cameras. Occasionally we hire a field crew but we edit, handle all the paperwork ourselves, and do everything we have to do to stay in business.”

Sloan Productions is a full-service professional television and video production house that serves networks, producers, and corporate America.

Landie’s efforts took a painful turn a few years ago while filming the 2005 Komen Foundation Walk. He and a camera crew were moving quickly, following people at the benefit for breast cancer in San Diego. 

“I hurt my back on the second day,” says Landie. “It’s fast paced and we have to do things quickly and right the first time.  We are about excellence in everything we do.”

Landie eventually found himself in decompression therapy for his spine and a herniated disk.

“Years of professional camerawork take a toll on your body, but the urge and need to work the hand-held camera never stops,” he says.

The injury forced Jeff to contemplate a future without a camera.  But Kathy Burgess, State Compensation Insurance Fund representative, informed Sloan Productions about the reimbursement funding available through the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), and Jeff didn’t have to think about what to do in place of what he loves!

California workers' comp reforms emphasize sound medical treatment and early return to work. This is the basis of the DWC’s Return to Work Reimbursement Program, which helps small employers by providing up to $2,500 in reimbursements for dollars spent on workplace modifications that bring an injured employee back to the job, or keep them working following an injury.

Landie found an ergonomically designed hip and back support camera carrying system called Easyrig that would reduce the weight on his back. He worked directly with Burgess on completing the required forms - the request for reimbursement, pertinent medical reports, and the offer of work form – before submitting them to the Return to Work Reimbursement Program at DWC. Landie also completed medical treatment and procedures required to determine his disability and restrictions. 

Jeff’s permanent disability qualified his company for $2,500 toward workplace modifications to bring him back to work.  The program allows up to $1,250 for modifications that bring temporarily disabled employees back. Reimbursements can be made for work site modifications, physician prescribed equipment, furniture, tools, and other necessary costs required to accommodate an employee’s restrictions.

“This program helped purchase the Easyrig to keep me working. Now I’m able to get the same kind of shots but protect myself from further injury,” says Jeff.  “The new equipment alleviates the possibility of me decompressing my spine again because it redistributes the weight so it’s kind of like carrying a backpack while camping.”

“Once I was diagnosed, it was simple – we bought the equipment, sent the receipt to the DWC and got paid the $2,500. The price tag was nearly all reimbursable, except for about $400, which makes all the difference in the world when you’re a two-man shop,” he says.

Jeff adds that, “By allowing us to buy the Easyrig I needed to keep the camera’s weight off my spine and keep my back in good health, we’re able to deliver what is expected of a hand-held camera operator. The return to work program was a funding source that came just in time to save me from an unexpected injury that we hadn’t budgeted for.  It was the right help we needed to get the problem taken care of.  It’s kept us in business!”

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June 2009