Injured on the job, permanently disabled and let go with nothing. (Indiana)
Location: Indiana
A friend of mine was working as a CNA in a nursing home and suffered a nerve injury from transferring a resident. She went through all the right channels with HR and workers comp, and was placed on weight restrictions for about 7 months while her workplace accommodated her by utilizing her as a shower aide. After 7 months, her doctor through workers comp deemed her weight restrictions as permanent. She was asked to leave work immediately after revealing this finding to HR and then they called her in for a meeting. They told her she could no longer work as a CNA but she could choose any other department to work in. She decided on housekeeping. Maybe an hour later they called her back in and told her that they would not be able to accommodate her in any department and that she was terminated effective immediately. My friend is only 28 years old and now has a lifelong 35 lb weight restriction. She was left with absolutely NOTHING. Does she have a case here? Oh I will also add that she was expected daily to surpass her restrictions, though I am not certain how much proof she has.