Major heart attack, but wanting to get back to work... Still waiting.

Hello. My name is Gary. I am an over the roder with 2 years experience and really like my job. I have a problem and really could use some advice. This past May while running freight in SC. I suffered a major heart attack and somehow lived. While at the hospital a pacemaker and stent was inserted and after a 2 day stay I was discharged. I notified my DM they made arrangements to get me home to recuperate. Upon making it back home to Maine I applied for unemployment benefits with the belief that it was for people that had lost their job thru no fault of their own. What a surprise to find out that this was not the case for me. Due to Federal D.O.T. regulations my employer had to take me off the road. I understand and accept the reasons for this. Public safety as well as my own is of utmost importance. After waiting 6 weeks with no income and the bills starting to pile up I was denied benefits because the claim center said I was unavailable for work. Though I needed a release from my doctor to return to driving I tried to explain to them that I did not need a release to say... welcome customers at Wal-Mart or flip hamburgers at the local Mickey Deez , or even deliver newspapers all of which I was willing to do while waiting to be called back to driving truck. Not good enough. My truck has been repo'd , I am getting behind on my mortgage and barely keeping the lights on though no payment can be made. The insurance on my used car has now lapsed making it impossible to legally drive. My girl left me and it seems like what can go wrong will go wrong. I have been released by the doctor and according to Human Resources at work I had to send my medical records to them and now waiting for their doc to schedule me for D.O.T physical. I appealed the decision to deny benefits and waiting for the outcome of that hearing. I am sure they will deny me again even though I feel that I am being discriminated against for medical reasons and made that point emphatically. I can appeal one more time and will fight this to the end. In the meantime the bills are still coming in. It's been one delay after an other starting to get pretty PO'd about it. I am a problem solver not a complainer. I am in good standings with my DM and termional manager and they are great to work with but waiting for an other doctor to go over my med. record is a delay not required and as far as I am concerned. Can he over-rule MY doctors findings? What if he does? Do I have a recourse? I believe that I have complied with all requirements and just need the physical. That is something that could of been done as soon as my doctor release me back on the 29th of June. Now it's the 15th of July. Human resources has done their job but here I sit still waiting and broke . Can anyone give me some advice ? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone. Happy trails drivers!

 

Don't know much about how those unemployment laws work, but I understand your situation and agree that it's real messed up ... It's also messed up that your girl left you, but take it as a blessing in disguise, good riddance to her for kicking you while you were down. I know that jobs in Walmart and McDonalds are plentiful, but it's a well known fact that they do not hire ppl who they deem as overqualified. Best of luck to you sir, if your situation continues downward I'd suggest going to the press or something, hope it doesn't have to get to that though, stay safe!

 

The short term disability insurance you carry on yourself should cover this........

 

Are you planning on paying in to the unemployment insurance scam again? It pays $185 a week in Arizona, so I declined to "invest" in that scam. I cant help you with your dilemma but in the future do what most hard working Americans are beginning to do, go underground.

 

Here is CA, the state everyone loves to hate this would be covered by employer supplied disability and state disability to aprox 80% of your last 1/4's income. Try for disability. As far as the girl, be glad shes gone.

 

i too had a serious heart attack last year.i thank god everyday that i signed up for aflac at my then employer.i was working sand cans at the shale gas wells in pa at the time.and since i paid for the policy myself,it was tax-free.i originally got it because i was afraid i would fall off the tank.i was afraid they wouln't cover the attack because i was on b.p. and cholesteral meds,but they did.i asked my employer to terminate me so i could get unemployment,but like you i got turned down.the attack happened 7/11/11,and my dr. cleared me,with trepidation,on 6/01/12.now that i'm applying to drive again,i'm getting turned down like crazy.i did apply to a couple of co.'s without telling them about my health,it was like when can u start.i always get everything looks great,we just got to check with the insurance co for final clearance,and i'm like nice talking to you.i do have a few who want too see my medical record's,so we will see.

 

391.41 It must be a DOT certified DR that releases you to drive. I've had a couple of drivers with the same problem. Your cardioligist can't release you to drive. As far as UMC benefits,you are not able to perform the work. Try disability.

 

This is correct I recieved state disability for a year while losing weight and getting healthy. I had high blood pressure and chest pains but didn't have a heart attack. Now I'm in pretty much the same position, just trying to get back in a truck and drive team with the wife who finishes her training at Central next week. We have 3 companies that are showing an interest, to varying degrees, in taking us on as a team. We'll find out for sure next week most likely if any of them come through with a job offer.

 

you have me confused. in a thread someone started started about western express, you say you STILL DRIVE for them...?? but you ain't driving..???

(posting number 7 from you)

what is it, you're a driver, an o/o..what..??? working, not working..what..???

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...drivers/183719-western-express-nashville.html

care to explain it...????

also for the record, i think "TDI" or temporary disability insurance pays for when you get sidelined for injuries and such. i know, i had to collect TDI more than once in my life.

unemployment is for when you get fired or laid off, or the company closes up.