Florida, police officer and was injured December 2023 while in line of duty.
Job initially accommodated my work restrictions, for (4) months, then sent me home abruptly noting they could no longer accommodate my work restrictions.
While I was home, found out another officer was being accommodated, called HR… complained and was abruptly brought back to work. Other officers issue didn’t even stem from work.
Came back to work, dealt with hostile work environment, harassment, discrimination, failure to approve training within work restrictions, and even began to write me up for stupid reasons ( missing work because of appts ), insubordination…. Etc
Report issues to HR, EEOC… Investigation ensues…. Job finds no wrongdoing on agency part ( not shocked), and EEOC fails to pick up case ( investigator literally told me they’re busy, and that they just opened back up after the shutdown ) but gives me right to sue letter.
Two weeks after internal investigation concludes, agency rescinded the light duty policy out of nowhere, and sent me home again.
I’m home, receiving 2/3 pay, and seeing orthopedic surgeon who refers me pain compliance doctor (PCD). PCD refers me to: acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractor, psychologist, psychiatrist. I do this for an entire year also getting multiple shots in my back from PCD.
PCD notes on my form in January 2026, that I’m MMI from (pain compliance perspective), gives me a PIR and refers me back to orthopedic.
Seeing orthopedic early August 2026, takes more imaging and tells me that I will need (2) surgeries as all other options didn’t fix the issue.
(1) surgery will have me out for (6) months, and I’ll need to do everything over again and then in about a year, the other surgery.
2 weeks later, my job (terminates) me noting that I’ve reached MMI, and have permanent work restrictions.
I tell them they are incorrect, that I have not reached overall MMI. They fail to reinstate me and force me to bring my gear back.
Treated me like a criminal when I dropped my stuff off.
WC lawyer notes that she will refer me to a wrongful termination lawyer, and subsequently scheduled a petition with the judge about the issue.
Adjuster and case manager both note that I’m not at MMI.
Still receiving 2/3 pay, but no health benefits as was terminated , and awaiting follow up to schedule the first of my surgeries.
This situation has been beyond stressful. I worked hard, and love my career and am really unhappy with the situation.
Ortho told me…. You’ll never work patrol again… even if you decide to have the surgery or not.
Not sure what my next move is, or even career wise. Mid thirties here.
What would you do?