Company DOT Physical

I was wondering if anyone knows if Trucking companies at orientation automatically research workmens comp records to see if a new driver did not disclose a previous injury or illness at time of physical

Thanks

I am not sure how that would work with HIPPA violations. I don't think they could dig into that, but maybe workmans comp cases are different. I am sure someone will chime in soon.

This is where you need to ask yourself "Is it worth it to risk it?"

Usually if it's something that would disqualify you from trucking there's a good reason for it. This has been said time and time and time again here you are driving 80k+ lbs of destructive power, if you have something that would normally disquallify you from driving what's to happen if it causes you to have an accident and kill some innocent family doing their christmas shopping, or worst yet just the parents of said family... can you live with yourself?

I really get frustrated reading posts that basically trying to find ways around things put in place. those "things" (be it rules, guidelines, requirements whatever) are in place for a reason, best to stick to them as they are not try to go around them. The results are just not worth it.

I'm not saying you ARE one of these people, but I am saying it **sounds like it** from the wording of your post.

Whoa. Just came across this and noticed someone has the same username as me.

I guess there are more than one Michael M. out there.

I was wondering if anyone knows if Trucking companies at orientation automatically research workmens comp records to see if a new driver did not disclose a previous injury or illness at time of physical

Thanks

Work comp claims are all in a shared database, like car insurance claims (except for Geico). The basic info is there, like date, total cost, disposition if it went to trial or other adjudication, and simple description of injury.

Whether a particular company checks those depends on their policies and procedures as well as the attentiveness of whoever does the vetting.

So yeah, don't lie about it, but don't volunteer more than the company asks for; e.g., if they ask for injuries in the past 5 years, don't write down the back injury you had 6 years ago.

As for HIPAA, generally you will sign a pretty broad waiver as part of your initial paperwork so they can check your medical history. Refusal to sign will probably get you a bus ride home.

Let me clarify. I have mild carpul tunnel syndrome in my left wrist and left elbow area. I recently had to stop doing a job I had that required repetative grabing and lifting with my left hand and arm. Let me stress the word "repetative". I can lift heavy items with both arms I can also lift a heavy item with my left arm. My struggle is the repetative lifting which I was doing 100 to 150 times pet 8hr shift. I am concerned this might disqualify me even though I can function and lift ust fine just not the repetative stuff. I want to go flat bed which takes a a fair amount of physical work several times a week loading and unloading but my arm problem would not prevent me from doing that. Would a DOT examiner from trucking company think differently, I am not sure about that.

I was not trying to be deceptive, more so trying to avoid confusion and disqualification for something that I think should not disqualify me.

Maybe I should contact the company I am interested in and talk with them about it before I even start the application process.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Your reply helps ease the concern of someone trying to skirt the rules... the way your first post was worded was kind of sketchy.

I still can't answer your question but I don't think carpel would disqualify you as you can wear a wrist brace that will help prevent the issues it causes.

I don't know how flatbad and carpel mix tbh... it's hard work from what I hear but it's not repetitive over the shift, you tarp / chain your load down (what 30 min of work maybe?), do some truck driving then remove said tarp and chains. now if you had a truck driving job where you had to unload your own stuff then I could see it being an issue.

Thanks for the feedback Phox. !!!

I'm not sure whether carpal tunnel syndrome would interfere with flatbedding. I think that even if it affects your grip strength in your left hand, most of the time you'd be able to do what you need to with your right hand (using a winch bar to tighten a snap binder, for instance).

I agree that it's a good idea to ask first, though.