medical question

[seb1008]

Hello, first post on this great forum. I would like to get some feed back on a medical question. Two years ago after hurricane jean hit Florida I feel of a roof. I ended up with a metal plate in my left forearm, a bone graft on the right wrist, three screws in my right heel (they have been removed) and a compression fracture on the L2 vertebrae.They did Kyphoplasty on the L2.(The compressed vertebrae is inflated with high pressure balloons and bone cement is put in the cavity's.) It took awhile to recover but I am back to doing the home repair I did before the fall, The back still gets sore but nothing that keeps me from hanging sheet rock,putting wooden floors down or painting houses. I really would like to get into trucking, but I am afraid they would tell me to forget it because of my previous injuries. I know I could pass the weight tests I have read about companies doing now. Should I call companies now and tell them my history before I spend any money on schooling? I was a commercial fisherman for 10+ years before the fall but that is over here in Florida. The reason I mention this is that I really like the independent, solitary, relying on yourself life style. Thank you for your time and the great information you all post. Seb

[One]

As long as you have a good heart, all ur limbs and 2 working eyes, can read and write some english you will do...

[Uturn2001]

You can read all about Physical Qualification of Drivers HERE

[syl77dar]

good luck!

[GoldiesPlating]

Not telling could backfire in your face. For example, if you applied to TMC and didn't put that info on your application, you would probably get a "pre-hire" and be brought into orientation. During your TMC physical, the doctor would see your scars and ask for a release of your medical records. Even if those showed clean he would send you for an X-Ray or MRI and you would be sent home having wasted your time and money spent to get there.
Other companies may take you, some may not even do a thorough physical. But in your condition, TMC, for one, would turn you down.

[seb1008]

Thank you for your comments, I guess maybe the best thing to do would be to tell them up front and see if they accept or deny me.

[GoldiesPlating]

Thank you for your comments, I guess maybe the best thing to do would be to tell them up front and see if they accept or deny me.

EXACTLY. That would be the way I would go. Good luck to ya and if you have any questions, feel free to call or PM anytime.

[sweepwing]

I could be wrong, but didn't the Americans with Disabiitties Act assert the concept that if someone could meet the minimum legal and/or published physical standards for a particular job, they could not be denied employment on the grounds of physical standards? Assuming, of course, the applicant was forthright in the application process. Am I correct on this Fred? Although it may be an HR question.

[GoldiesPlating]

I could be wrong, but didn't the Americans with Disabiitties Act assert the concept that if someone could meet the minimum legal and/or published physical standards for a particular job, they could not be denied employment on the grounds of physical standards? Assuming, of course, the applicant was forthright in the application process. Am I correct on this Fred? Although it may be an HR question.

I don't know the law when it comes to disabilities but ANY back problems would be a liability in flatbed work. You couldn't perform the job OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. Just because a guy could demonstrate he could "do it" on test day, doesn't mean he could do it for the next 6 months EVERY day.
Also to even GET a CDL class A license you have to pass a fairly strict physical if that physical is given by a certified (and honest) doctor. High blood pressure or diabetes would cause one to be declined a CDL or cause a current license holder to lose his Class A CDL status.

[greg3564]

I could be wrong, but didn't the Americans with Disabiitties Act assert the concept that if someone could meet the minimum legal and/or published physical standards for a particular job, they could not be denied employment on the grounds of physical standards? Assuming, of course, the applicant was forthright in the application process. Am I correct on this Fred? Although it may be an HR question.

I don't think he will get denied. As long as he can pass a companies workwell test and meets the federal guidelines for truckdrivers he should be good to go.

[GoldiesPlating]

Not what I said. I'm sure he could get his CDL barring any complications, I just have my doubts as to weather he could get on with TMC. Still, my OPINION means nothing. To be sure he'd have to fill out an application online. I would HOPE my opinion was wrong in this particular case and wish him luck.

[greg3564]

Not what I said. I'm sure he could get his CDL barring any complications, I just have my doubts as to weather he could get on with TMC. Still, my OPINION means nothing. To be sure he'd have to fill out an application online. I would HOPE my opinion was wrong in this particular case and wish him luck.

Flatbedding probably does have its own stricter physical requirements. I would think that dry van would be easier for him to get into.

[sweepwing]

Flatbed work, for sure, places a much greater level of physical requirement on a person. I know for a fact that it is hard to predict how long someone is going to remain physically fit, regardless of their occupation.

Case in point, I'm 42 and have spent most of my working life in an occupation that did not require any heavy lifting or even light manual labor. I get rear ended a few weeks ago in my POV and get the classic whiplash injury, so part of the deal is that I get a head and neck MRI. The MRI shows evidence of disk degeneration in a couple of my cervical vertebrae. A slight herniation and the pain can be blamed on the accident, but the degeneration is the result of just getting old. Disk Degeneration Disease sounds terrible, so I ask my internist buddy if this means that I've got something really abnormal going on and he just laughs and said that he was younger than me when his lumbar vertebrae went to pot. I remember him wearing a brace for about a year when he was in his thirties. And he is a guy who is in good shape, excercises, but has never had an occupation or hobby that has caused him to tear up his back. I guess that all people experience back deterioration as they age and an xray or MRI will show up with something.

I assume that a flatbedder should learn the tricks to work smarter, not harder and that avoiding accidents and falls is the key. I don't see how it can be predicted how long someone could work an occupation as long as they meet the physical standards going into the job. I realize, there are some people that you can just tell that they aren't going to cut it, but that is sort of a different topic....