Legal Question in Disability Law in Louisiana

Can I be not Hired due to back injury 10 years ago

I am 38 and had a successful back fusion of L5-S1 10 years ago, during the last 10 years I have worked as a Firefighter, EMT, Mechanic (days off of fire house) and now for the last 2 years I have been a police officer assigned. I had no problems wiht my back after the surgery and have not seen a doctor for that problem in 10 years, been to a police academy, swat school etc. I have the opertunity to get hired at a local plant with great pay and benefits. I am one of 18 out of 1200 that have been chosen that have applied. I have passed all the written test, the physical agility test, the only thing left is the company Dr, My queston is this, can they not hire me due to a back problem that happened 10 years ago, and I have overcome? If they do not hire me based on my back is there any thing I can do about it. I hate to lose out on something I know I can due and be shot down.


Asked on 10/24/04, 9:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nick Pizzolatto, Jr. Pizzolatto Law Office

Re: Can I be not Hired due to back injury 10 years ago

Unfortunately, I think they can refuse to hire you if physical health is an issue. Do not try to hide it from them. If their physician sees the scar and asks you about it, be perfectly honest. If they ask about surgeries, be honest even if they do not discover the scar. If they don't ask, and don't see the scar, great. But, if you are the right guy and you have been doing hard physical work etc for 10 years, you should be OK. On a personal note, I could not move from a disk at L4-5, and had surgery about 11 years ago......after about a month, I returned to ALL activities, and it continues today. I am 57 and have had no problems, so as active as you are, and young, I would not go in there with the glass half empty, but half full. Good luck.

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Answered on 10/25/04, 8:26 am


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