Dot physical - Surgery

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017.

  1. Jan 21, 2017 #1
    ASmallFleetDriver

    ASmallFleetDriver Light Load Member

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    Sooo to keep long stories short -
    (Question at the bottom if you don't like to read like me :p)

    Didn't use three points of contact and broke my leg pretty bad:oops:. After it happened had a plate and some screws put in my tibia(shin) / ankle and then had to go speak to our company doctor after I was released home from surgery. They said after I heal I have to go to physical therapy and I wouldn't be allowed to drive until "until we confirm you have full range of motion back." Which I was fine with assuming that'd be pretty fast.

    So after having the company checkup my Orthopedic Dr. set me for 9 weeks of therapy if the cast even comes off at my visit in two weeks. I have enough saved so it's not like I'm hurting for money but 11 weeks is a pretty insane time to be off work doing nothing. Ill probably forget how to shift by then lol(kiddng) :rolleyes: and a company that I wanted to change to will probably have filled the dedicated run I wanted

    Basically my question is:
    Is my dot physical not valid until it signed off from my doctors or is that just my company's doctor being overprotective? I've been searching the FMCSA book trying to find info related to it and all I have found is
    " As long as the immobilization is in place or the affected articulation has not achieved full mobility the driver should be advised to refrain from driving. "

    soo.. I can still legally drive once the cast is off..? I am just not "advised" to drive until therapy is over? I'm confused.
    Aslong as it's legal my boss said I can atleast do local runs in a daycab while doing therapy at night. So trying to find documentation proving it
    Thanks truckersreport :D
     
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    #1
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  3. Jan 21, 2017 #2
    Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    Your DOT physical is still in place, you are basically on worker's comp which you should have filed when you were placed on medical hold pending release. The Company Dr. protects the company from a driver that is not 100% ready to drive again from further liability. Once you clear your physical therapy your Company Dr has to make the determination if you are qualified to drive again. Now your Company Dr. can release you for limited day cab driving since you are in/out daily. But, until he releases you 100% your OTR is on hold.

    Also, when you are in physical therapy you should be logging line 4 - on duty, not driving since this is basically a company function for the injury. All other time should be logged as Off Duty. Anytime you are at the company seeing the Company Dr or other company business you should be on line 4... You must maintain daily logs still.
     
    Mark Kling, Jan 21, 2017
    Mark Kling, Jan 21, 2017
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    ASmallFleetDriver Thanks this.
  4. Jan 21, 2017 #3
    ASmallFleetDriver

    ASmallFleetDriver Light Load Member

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    That makes alot more sense. Thank you thank you
    Didn't even think about logging drs visits I'll have to fix that. I guess that means I am an "outlaw" driver for now :p:cool:
     
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
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    fargonaz Thanks this.
  5. Jan 21, 2017 #4
    Duurtipoker

    Duurtipoker Medium Load Member

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    Not trying to be difficult but....is it?

    I thought she said it was the Orthopedic Dr that ordered physical therapy.

    Might want to look a little closer at that.


    Ed
     
    Duurtipoker, Jan 21, 2017
    Duurtipoker, Jan 21, 2017
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    ASmallFleetDriver Thanks this.
  7. Jan 21, 2017 #5
    fargonaz

    fargonaz Road Train Member

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    Dude, you seriously have a mighty high horse there.o_O
     
    fargonaz, Jan 21, 2017
    fargonaz, Jan 21, 2017
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    str8t10 and ASmallFleetDriver Thank this.
  8. Jan 21, 2017 #6
    clausland

    clausland Road Train Member

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    "On-duty"?, it depends, are you in control of a truck while at the doctor's, or are you being paid while there? If not, you're "off-duty"
     
    clausland, Jan 21, 2017
    clausland, Jan 21, 2017
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    ASmallFleetDriver Thanks this.
  9. Jan 21, 2017 #7
    mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    I would do it like @clausland, people tend to over think this stuff in my opinion.
     
    mtoo, Jan 21, 2017
    mtoo, Jan 21, 2017
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    ASmallFleetDriver and fargonaz Thank this.
  10. Jan 21, 2017 #8
    ASmallFleetDriver

    ASmallFleetDriver Light Load Member

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    don't you have to be "on duty" during random dot drug screens o_O? those arn't payed or in a truck
     
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    #8
  11. Jan 21, 2017 #9
    fargonaz

    fargonaz Road Train Member

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    A random screen is part of the job. Just like a DOT inspection is part of the job.
     
    fargonaz, Jan 21, 2017
    fargonaz, Jan 21, 2017
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    ASmallFleetDriver Thanks this.
  12. Jan 21, 2017 #10
    ASmallFleetDriver

    ASmallFleetDriver Light Load Member

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    Idk, it still seems like a DOT grey area. - Can't work without going so it's somewhat part of the job? Might aswell log it. It's not like ill hit 70 HOS when I'm recovering at home
     
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    ASmallFleetDriver, Jan 21, 2017
    #10
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