Workers Comp Help
Injured Back At Work
I injured my back on September 11 2000 at work. I went to my Doctor the next day and they set me up for tests that found 3 discs out of place. My doctor recommended therapy and it was approved about one month later. I could not return to work. I went to therapy two times a week for 8 weeks.
My doctor and the therapist said I was improving and recommended one more 4 week period of therapy. The Insurance Company denied it and said their on staff Doctor recommended I continue with home therapy. I tried this and had to stop one of the exercises because it caused me more problems. It has not helped at all.
About three weeks later I received a call from the Company President that I was working for and a associate of his. They were on a speaker phone. I told them I had a Doctor appointment the following Thursday. They said they needed a letter from the Doctor the next Friday stating that I would be able to return to work within six weeks at full duty. I asked them if that meant being able to return and do the job I had been doing when I was injured. They said no that it had to state I was 100%.
I told my doctor and he got really upset and said there was no way any doctor would give me a release like that because of the liability. On the following Tuesday after my doctor visit I received a certified letter from the Company terminating my employment because my doctor would not release me at 100%.
I am trying to find out if it is legal for them to fire me while under a doctor's care for a work related injury. I don't know how anyone can survive on what they want to pay for the injuries. The best I can figure with what they have offered me it comes to about 3.50 to 4.00 per hour for a 40 hour week. No one will even talk to me about a job because of the back injury. They will not tell you that is the reason but I know it is.