injured on the job

and you quoted me or shall i say you copied/pasted my posting, but left no response, for what reason...???

if this was your response, why didn't you just add it into the copy/pasting of my posting...??

it IS NOT illegal to refuse to hire someone...at any time.....many potential employers DO a worker's comp claim background check....this I KNOW for a fact when Highway Driver Leasing (a driver leasing company) out of Quincy, MA. did one on me....!!! and this was on my DAC report....as companies doing the background checks...(inquiries)..!!!

 

they will find something for you...??

maybe as a driver's helper, or dock worker, or maybe he's got a friend that needs a driver..??

once you have gone on the claim, they most likely had to hire a new driver...meaning if they are small they have no need for you right now...there is also the possibility that their premiums just took a spike due to your injury....and if they are small and just making ends meet now, the increase in insurance isn't going to help them out any...they are "really nice to you" because they do not want to get sued by you....but when you're "better"......you had "better" be ready NOT to return to work there....their attitude towards you will change when the mad dogs get involved.....then it's "gloves off"..........

good luck....

 

I also work for a small family owned company and they are very understanding about injuries... but take them for a serious Workers Comp "ride" and they will terminate. I've seen it happen several times.

Get WC if needed... don't take advantage of the situation... and get back to work as quick as you can.

No company... no matter how nice... likes lost time accidents on their OSHA record.

 

Not entirely true. If you show a pattern of not hiring based upon one of the protected categories (race, religion, age, gender) then you can be in for some problems. Someone more legally educated than me can speak to what exactly determines a pattern, but it is a reality.

 

Not 100% of the companies are like that. Just because it happened to you does not make the whole industry do what that comapny did to you. Granted there are alot of lousy companies that will toss you out the dooor but there are some that will work with the driver and put him back to work especially for broken bones. It's not as bleak as you paint and I have seen a couple of companies that put their hurt driver right back to work after he was cleared.

 

I had a similar injury and am finally cleared for regular duty, no restrictions.

It's important to do everything the Dr, Surgeon, Physical Therapist - tell you to do. Healing will eventually be complete - could take up to a year, but long before that you'll be able to work normally.

I'm guessing you've already figured out and are on WC. If you don't already, you should get a WC lawyer. Not to sue your employer, but there is something called a schedule award. Once you're back to normal duty and have pretty much healed, the lawyer will have you see a Dr. who will rate your impairment. No matter how well you heal, your ankle will never be exactly what it was before the injury. Then they will volley back and forth with WC about the amount of the award. Probably not going to be a huge payout since schedule award amounts have been reduced overall, but it is something. You were injured on the job, and all medical costs related to that injury will be covered. This money, as well as the schedule award, all come from
WC funds.

 

There's a lot of states that go by the book called "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" and they use this when they close the case. A doctor has a hard time changing what's written in the book. Besides that you can not go to any doctor you choose. They will send you to their doctor and he will be there for them. If you are receiving W/C payments then there is no use for a lawyer. All a lawyer can do is make sure you receive your payments and that's it. He can not get you a better rating since it's already written in stone what you'll receive. Some states will even provide you legal advice so you are not forced to get a lawyer. I know NV does. Again it all depends on your state.

I'm glad to see KW is healing and I hope you get back to work as soon as you can. What I would do is complete the PT and get back on the job. Let W/C do what they want. I have seen a few W/C cases with my company and I'll tell you what they did. Now this is a major oil company with more assets than any trucking company so you might think they will be out to get you. It's just the other way around. The company will file all the paperwork right away, send you to a doctor right away. If you are put off the job your sick pay will kick in at full pay for 6 months then it will be reduced to half for up to a year. If you can not return to any type of work within the company you will be placed on long term disability until YOU quit or turn 65. That amount is you base minus any other pay like SS. I have not seen any other trucking company keep a driver if he can not drive except an oil company. I would hope there's a few and I would guess they would be union but we are not. Good luck to you and check out all your benefits for your state. You can find what you need on line before seeking out any lawyer.