Broken hip and arm

[Teacher Terry]

The only way you are not disabled enough is if your state has went to order of selection. If not you will qualify. If you need tutoring to pass the exam they will pay for it if after vocational testing if they decide this is a vocationally appropriate job based on your disability and capabilities. They are used to working with people with learning disabilities. I worked for that department in 3 different states. Many truck drivers have to also unload and in a state that requires chains in the snow you have to be physically able to put them on and they weigh 50lbs. This is a issue on the West coast. Also most doctors don’t consider you at maximum medical improvement for 2 years after the injury.

 

[Amethyst]

True. Aaron would want to be in a union that doesn't allow truckers to load/unload. Definitely no UPS or Fedex.

T Many truck drivers have to also unload and in a state that requires chains in the snow you have to be physically able to put them on and they weigh 50lbs. .

 

[Teacher Terry]

Public rehabilitation is much easier to qualify for then workers compensation and also the counselor’s job is to help you. With WC their job is to get you to take the buyout instead of retraining and job placement. You do have a choice and that should have been explained to you. If you choose training they pay for the training and the length of time is based on your disability rating. They have to pay you a wage while you retrain. Then they have to assign a specialist to help you write a resume and job search after the training is completed. The insurance company is financially better off of you take the buyout. The counselor WC hires is not working in your best interest. I have consulted in the WC arena also.

 

[Aerides]

True. Aaron would want to be in a union that doesn't allow truckers to load/unload. Definitely no UPS or Fedex.

I was thinking maybe the USPS would be an option too. Their carriers seem to not be as athletic as the others, and have unions, so maybe the carry/lift requirements aren't as high.

 

[aaronc879]

I was thinking maybe the USPS would be an option too. Their carriers seem to not be as athletic as the others, and have unions, so maybe the carry/lift requirements aren't as high.

The problem with being a postal carrier is that you have to work part time for several years before you can get a full time job. While not bad, starting pay has gone way down since I think it was the 2012 contract. It takes quite a few years to get up to the pay that the more senior carriers are making. If you do a rural route then you may be required to use your own vehicle. If you do a city route youmay be required to walk most of it which I would not be able to do. I may take the test but it is not high on my list of preferred options.

 

[SnowBound]

aaronc879: Don't give on regaining more strength. I really messed up my leg in February (when you look down and your toes are pointed backwards, you know you are toast). I'm still hobbling around now, the pain is no fun, but everyday I focus on pushing further than the day before. Will full recover take more than a year, yep. And yes, I survive on Vitamin I (ibuprofen).

 

[Calico]

Just thought I would give an update. I am over a year post-op on the total hip replacement. When I reached one year my Dr said I was at maximum medical improvement and gave me permanent restrictions. Those restrictions prohibited me from doing the job I held and my seniority didn't allow for me to get any job I could physically do. They found me temporary work within my restrictions for a while but on Monday(Aug 12th) they called me into the conference room and said I was terminated effective immediately and walked me out. I guess now I apply for unemployment and start thinking about what to do next. I can not do the physical labor work I have always done. I have no degree or office experience and school is not likey to end well since I have always struggled to get a 'C' average. Surgeon suggests I limit myself to no more than 33% of my workday in a standing position and no lifting over 35 pounds. I guess I will have to apply for low-level office jobs and hope someone will give me a chance and then slowly work my way up. Otherwise I could try for a drving job whether it be a forklift, van, or CDL level truck.

I am very sorry to hear that they let you go without notice. That seems inhumane to me. I understand about union rules and seniority, but I think they could have let you keep working in the distribution office (?) until you retrained for a position you can do within your restrictions.

I think Teacher Terry's information above is very helpful. Hopefully the DVR can assist you in getting on a path to another vocation. Keep us posted on how everything goes. My heart goes out to you having to deal with all this on top of the physical challenges you have endured for so long.

 

[tinlizzy]

If you are union then you need to talk to your union steward and file a grievance over the firing. You probably only have a set number of days to file a grievance so get on it. Secondly you need to hire a lawyer as others have mentioned.

I work for UPS and I have a co-worker who was terminated after an injury and a series of operations left him with a permanent disability and restrictions. He sued and the settlement was time paid for the years he was off work fighting his termination and a job that was created for him that accomodated his restrictions.

I wish you the best.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Hiring a lawyer is a crap shoot. It may work out great or you may just lose money to the lawyer. Your best bet is job training, wages paid and job placement by WC.

 

[ivinsfan]

Just a thought, in our area nursing homes and assisted living facilities are always looking to hire in a variety of positions.

Due to needing staffing 24/7 they are always short of staff. Many have a minibus they use to ferry patients to appointments and places. Also activity directors who plan games or just visit and such with residents. Just something to consider. It's very possible they would work with you to fit your employment conditions.

 

[aaronc879]

I have an interview for school bus driver this afternoon. Could expand into a charter bus driver as well for extra hours. If I got that job I would probably apply to Uber and do that on the side.

 

[MRG]

Aaronc, there's a lot of great ideas in this thread. I w*rked in a union sawmill until age 27 and changed to IT. I spread a lot of time in back offices(financial, insurance...)all over the world.

There were many people in back office environments who worked their way into leadership and management positions. They didn't have a formal degree, only the the one they earned from their Megacorp. Best wishes to you.

 

[GravitySucks]

Sorry to hear this Aaron. Your writing shows you're a pretty bright guy. Try not to get disheartened over the present situation.
I'll bet you end up with a job not so damn awful as the last and hope you find contentment.

 

[pacergal]

Oh, aaron, I am so sorry to hear this. You have been through so much the past few years, you show great resilience though!
Uber and school bus driving may be a good option.
As others have said, I would encourage you to at least have a consult with a lawyer. And do it possibly before you sign off on their WC payment offer. Since it was on the job injury, it seems there should have been some job you could have done, office work, computer input, etc.
Best wishes to you. Keep us updated.

 

[gwraigty]

The problem with being a postal carrier is that you have to work part time for several years before you can get a full time job. While not bad, starting pay has gone way down since I think it was the 2012 contract. It takes quite a few years to get up to the pay that the more senior carriers are making. If you do a rural route then you may be required to use your own vehicle. If you do a city route youmay be required to walk most of it which I would not be able to do. I may take the test but it is not high on my list of preferred options.

Is it true now that you have to wait years? My father started out as a part-time carrier. 3 months later, he was put on full-time. That was in the mid-80s. How about a back end job, like sorting?

At any rate, part-time may be better than no time at all. Some part-time jobs lead to full-time down the road, and it doesn't take years. You could ask during interviews.

How about using a temp agency?

 

[Teacher Terry]

Mail carrier is to physical if you walk the route. You sort and carry all your own mail. I have evaluated many mail carriers after they were hurt on the job. The feds do not accommodate their disability. They either take the training offer or the money.

 

[Amethyst]

Yes, letter carrier is a more physical job than people realize - even a rural carrier in a mail truck has to schlep packages and bundles of mail.

And it is hard to accommodate a disability, because the job is what it is. They can't tailor it like an office job.

Mail carrier is to physical if you walk the route. You sort and carry all your own mail. I have evaluated many mail carriers after they were hurt on the job. The feds do not accommodate their disability. .

 

[Scrapr]

Aaron

I'm so sorry. Your previous company sounds like one to be glad to be rid of.

During the Great Recession I talked with school bus driving folks. It was not going to quite work out on my schedule. But they said they had lots of charters & sports schedules to fill. I would imagine there would be OT in there somewhere.

Also you could look for local driving jobs. Under 26k GVW and you don't have to do a CDL. Like a suppliers delivery to warehouses. You would need to vet them so you are not moving much of the freight.

If you do the CDL look for a drop & hook operation. UPS is like that. Take 2 trailers to X terminal and return with 2 other trailers. You don't touch the freight. Although manuvering the dolly is a bit heavy. Check that before you go through the CDL process. For me I avoided the Over the Road operations as I liked being home at night. Plus they don't tend to treat their drivers well. Hence the turnover

Good luck