medical question
 

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

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

You can read all about Physical Qualification of Drivers HERE

goodluck
 

good luck!

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.

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.

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.

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.