I have some big problems. I was Diagnosed with Narcolepsy November 19th 2009 . I was given a note by my employer to take into my Doctor for a day shift. I was not well received and I was cussed out by my boss and told to sign release for all medical records or I would be let go then I signed the release and I was told to never come back. I was at this company for well over 4 years and worked 7 days a week with no problems I just asked for a day shift instead of multiple rotation. There are plenty of people with much less time in than me on days and this is a union shop. The union did nothing for me and sided with the company and took my dues. I was told to go on short and long term disability but I applied and the company refused to give it then I finally won it and my disability has since been frozen and I have been premanetly let go. I have no allergies and tons of medical problems spots on my lungs and I have to have surgery on my nose for cysts and polyups caused by exposure at my job. They have nothing but cussed me out and done everything they quit to ruin my life. They treated me like garbage the whole 5 years and I was forced to do all of my work and theirs or be fired. I can't get another job all the doctors are telling me to just go get another job including the company and can't I have been denied everything I earned and been Denied SSDI. I have many other health problems from my job other than Narcolepsy and have been Referred to national Jewish Health in Denver for full research. I can't get my job back, can't get disability, have literally no income in and don't know where to turn. Everyone is blaming everything on me and I am at a public library typing this. I would like to know where I can turn. I want to straighten myself out and help others. I need someone to talk to:( I went to a Psychaiatrist yesterday and he refused to see me because I am "not crazy" he stated. I just don't know anymore and would like someone to help me. Thank you for all your help and I want to make sure none suffers from this ever again like I have its much worse than I have written and I'd love someone to talk to I know people have it much worse than me and other people on the board and in the world; so I feel guilty even complaining and asking for help. I wish love and hope and good times ahead for all of us. I hope I did not do a poor job writing this and will correct any errors. I need someone to reach out and talk to more in detail about this. thank you:)
I Have Some Serious Work/Disability And Legal Problems And Need Help.
Started by
benji837
, Jul 10 2010 04:56 PM
4 replies to this topic
#2
Saraiah
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Posted 10 July 2010 - 11:53 PM
Benji - This is a long-term rather than an immediate solution, but I've recently found out that there are non-lawyer firms that specialize in helping people to apply for SSDI in return for a cut of the back pay that you're awarded when you finally get SSDI. Their fees are currently limited by law to 25% of the retroactive dollar amount awarded, not to exceed $6,000. One of those firms is called Allsup, Inc. Here's their link: http://www.allsup.com/. I don't know how good they are, except that they must not be awful, since the insurance company that's providing my private disability payments has hired them to go after SSDI for me. (It's in the best interests of the private insurance company to get me SSDI, because they can subtract the SSDI award from any payments they have to make me.) You probably already know that some crazy percentage of first time applicants to SSDI are denied, so a first-time denial doesn't necessarily mean that you've no hope of getting SSDI in the end.
There are very likely other private firms besides Allsup that do the same thing, but I don't know what they're called.
One question that I have is have you seen an employment lawyer? From what you describe, it sounds to me like what your company and union did was likely unlawful. From what I understand of lawyers (which admittedly isn't much), sometimes they'll take a case on the condition that they only get paid out of any settlement that you'd get. If the lawyer thinks you've got a good case, they may be willing to take on your company for you.
Another suggestion is that, assuming you're in the U.S., you might want to seek out the state public vocational rehabilitation program. Every state in the U.S. has one, as they're mandated by the federal government, but they're called different things in different states. (If you need a hand finding the agency in your state, let me know.) Their job is to work with people with various illnesses and disabilities to help them find jobs that fit for the particular person. If you need training to get a job that will work for you, they sometimes will fund that training, and sometimes also fund your transportation to that training. They will also sometimes fund physical and neuropsychological assessments for people in order to figure out what sorts of jobs a person can do - or if the person is capable of doing any job at all. (A neuropsychological exam can help to identify the difficulties a person with narcolepsy has in simply staying awake, but also difficulties in maintaining alertness and concentration, as well as difficulties with memory. If the neuropsych exam shows that you have difficulties that would preclude working in any job at all, it can also be used to document what's going on for SSDI purposes.) They'll also sometimes fund medical treatment in the short term, if they think it will help you to get a job.
Going to the state voc rehab agency is another longer term potential solution, along with finding some agency to help you to get SSDI. But if you need a hand figuring out what job might actually work, or documenting that no job is going to work, the public voc rehab agency might be helpful. It can take a long time between making the appointment with the public voc rehab program and actually getting seen by a counselor, so it's a good thing to try to make the appointment sooner than later.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Saraiah
There are very likely other private firms besides Allsup that do the same thing, but I don't know what they're called.
One question that I have is have you seen an employment lawyer? From what you describe, it sounds to me like what your company and union did was likely unlawful. From what I understand of lawyers (which admittedly isn't much), sometimes they'll take a case on the condition that they only get paid out of any settlement that you'd get. If the lawyer thinks you've got a good case, they may be willing to take on your company for you.
Another suggestion is that, assuming you're in the U.S., you might want to seek out the state public vocational rehabilitation program. Every state in the U.S. has one, as they're mandated by the federal government, but they're called different things in different states. (If you need a hand finding the agency in your state, let me know.) Their job is to work with people with various illnesses and disabilities to help them find jobs that fit for the particular person. If you need training to get a job that will work for you, they sometimes will fund that training, and sometimes also fund your transportation to that training. They will also sometimes fund physical and neuropsychological assessments for people in order to figure out what sorts of jobs a person can do - or if the person is capable of doing any job at all. (A neuropsychological exam can help to identify the difficulties a person with narcolepsy has in simply staying awake, but also difficulties in maintaining alertness and concentration, as well as difficulties with memory. If the neuropsych exam shows that you have difficulties that would preclude working in any job at all, it can also be used to document what's going on for SSDI purposes.) They'll also sometimes fund medical treatment in the short term, if they think it will help you to get a job.
Going to the state voc rehab agency is another longer term potential solution, along with finding some agency to help you to get SSDI. But if you need a hand figuring out what job might actually work, or documenting that no job is going to work, the public voc rehab agency might be helpful. It can take a long time between making the appointment with the public voc rehab program and actually getting seen by a counselor, so it's a good thing to try to make the appointment sooner than later.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Saraiah
#3
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Posted 11 July 2010 - 12:03 AM
Hi again - You mentioned being referred for a medical workup in Denver. If you're in Colorado, your public voc program is the Division of Vocational Services. Here's a link to their website: http://www.cdhs.stat...r_services.htm.
Saraiah
Saraiah
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Posted 12 July 2010 - 11:47 PM
Thank you for your help.
Hey Benji
I am sorry you have to go through this. When I was diagnosed many years ago now, my boss almost let me go too and I made the mistake of giving them all of the information. They freaked out about the hypnogogic hallucinations bit. I have since moved on from that job and have not told my current employer for that very reason. But, i may change my mind one day. You are not alone Benji, hang in there, and keep connecting.
