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What should my next step be?

I'm typing this while I sit at home under orders from my doctor. I can't go back to work until next week. Why? Because I'm suffering "chemical and biological" inhalation.

Long story short, we had an incident that caused raw sewage to come out of the drains. Boss forces me to clean the area while standing in, and next to it (did I mention I work with food?). Later on, boss tells me to clean the coffee area and get the unventilated cabinets that have not been cleaned in years. Turns out there was black mold in these cabinets. Combine inhaling these plus about a gallon of bleach, I am off work trying to recover from the aftermath. I found out in the expense report that my boss does not pay any taxes to worker's comp. I have no idea how I'm going to be compensated for my lost time, plus the doctor visit and the meds I have to take.

P.S: My manager got really angry when I mentioned calling OSHA to him, does that protect me in any way?

So my question is, what should be my next step? Obviously getting a new job of course and I had 2 interviews this week. But how can I trust my boss to give me my back pay when he pretends worker's comp doesn't exist?

Re: What should my next step be?

  • I might be wrong, but I am pretty sure a company is required to have worker's comp. insurance.  My father owns a business and at one point only had one employee but still had to have it, but that might just be the state I live in.  Regardless, I would believe the company would still be responsible for your illness.  Definitely contact OSHA and discuss your options with them.  Are there any coworkers that are willing to vouch for you?  I would also begin consulting with a lawyer.
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  • No advice really but that sounds like some BS. I wish you good luck!
  • If you don't get worker's comp then I would contact an employment lawyer.  Did anyone witness you getting stuck with the clean up or the mold/fumes, etc?
  • imageFrannyS:
    If you don't get worker's comp then I would contact an employment lawyer.  Did anyone witness you getting stuck with the clean up or the mold/fumes, etc?

    Oh yeah...there were witnesses. They want to talk to me about this when I come back next week. I'll see what I'm going to do after this chat.

  • Sorry you are going through this- what an idiot. All employers are required to have this wc insurance and some states put minimum numbers on the minimum number of employees but most states is like 1 employee.

    Wc is an insurance where the ee does not have to prove injury only that they got hurt at work and the employer does not need to admit fault. With that you agree to a certain percent of compensation and med bills paid and possibly agree not to sue.

    I'm an H R director so I would check with your state wc office and doc before you meet with employer. good luck 

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