Heart attack and FMLA

Yes I did. And still am. Had mine about 4 years ago. Couldn’t start rehab until 30 days after surgery. 36 sessions required. Limited to 3 times per week. After about 3 months a stress test is required. Obviously you must pass. Swear to God they’ll try and kill ya, but you’re already in the hospital, so the nurses are already there !! Lol. As long as you’re on heart meds, you’ll need a physical every year. You’ll also need a stress test every 2 years. That’s what I know in a nut shell. Any more questions, ask. I’ll answer to the best of my ability.

 

Nothing wrong with your company's request. Yes, you are cleared for "work", however (presumably) your current job requires you to be a qualified CDL driver, which you are not until you can complete the medical recertification. In most cases your company has the option, but not the requirement, to provide light duty or limited duty work that doesn't require you to drive or they can simply have you take leave until you are again qualified to drive. Unfortunately a heart attack does not automatically qualify you for SSA disability so you must first use all your paid time off and FMLA time. Then, sadly, if you still are out of work you may have to wait until at least 12 months have passed before collecting disability income.

Now, if you are a union driver there may be protections or requirements for limited duty in your labor agreement, or if the heart attack happened on the job you may have a workers compensation claim for wages and treatment. Also, should the company terminate you there may be an unemployment entitlement depending on the exact circumstances and state laws.

 

I have a friend that received 4 stents , he went thru rehab with shining colors.
After rehab he tryed to drive OTR and Local but didnt want to take a chance and have another Stemi and maybe kill someone and he hung it up after 20 years.
Said it was always in the back of his mind and couldn't deal with it.
He learned how to bake and works in a bakery now.
Good Luck stay well.

 

I've seen a number of owner operators who, post-bypass, came back to CDL including a few who regained their pilot's licenses [one an instructor] so there is hope though the bypass is considered a lot different than a stent insertion or tow.

 

Good luck. I took a stress test a month ago with no pre existing symptoms for a job they said everyone over 40 needed to have. It was bad. I passed but I hope to never do that again.