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A driver for a Mark Alvis Inc., a Tennessee-based trucking company, was terminated for refusing to drive on account of an injury he sustained on the job, according to Land Line Magazine, a publication for professional truckers. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruled that Mark Alvis Inc. was wrong in terminating the driver, as it was in violation of whistleblower protection laws.
The driver also alleged he was over the allowed amount of hours he was legally permitted to drive in a week, and couldn’t drive any more. OSHA ordered the company to pay the driver $30,000 in back pay and damages, as well as take steps to ensure whistleblowers are not punished in the future.
The driver was injured while inspecting his truck in May of 2010. After he was injured, he was assigned to another route, which he refused.
“OSHA will continue to ensure that America’s truck drivers’ right to refuse to drive when they are fatigued, ill or in violation of hours-of-service requirements is not undermined,” said OSHA’s Cindy A. Coe.
Please visit our site for more information if you have been injured on the job, and contact our firm for a free consultation.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp attorneys.