Legal Question in Employment Law in California
I'm an independent contracted commercial driver in Los Angeles, CA. I was contracted with Company "A", which was contracted with a large DO IT YOUR SELF hardware/ lumber chain. Company A lost the contract this Chain Store and Company B was to start on Oct 24th, 2010. Friday Oct 15th I notified company A that I was sick, flu like symtoms and severe back muscle pain. I told them I coudnt work/drive because of that, to take me off the route and made a point to them that I was stressed out from doing the work of 2 drivers. I stayed home with over the counter meds and rested. I notified them that I was returning the truck on Oct 21st and will rest before I start the new job with company B.. I was told the Chain store requested that Company A notify them if drivers were not at work. Saturday Oct 23rd, Company B called and told me they couldn't use me on the account because the Chain Store denied my Security Badge, whom I dont work for. This all came from the Chain Store's corporate office. They were told that I wasnt at work, not knowing the reasons why. I'm at home now, not working for the last 2 weeks because of this.I'm stressed out and soon to loose my Apartment, bills are overdue. Company B, said that they will fit me into some other account, and I have yet to work. Company A said they didnt notify The Chain Store Co. Who's lying? Is this all legal? Can this company retaliate on me by witholding my badge for not working the week of the contract with Company A? I paid into my own Worker Comp, am I eligible for a stress case due to all of this, since I'm not working?