LAFD not a good look…

[DRYHEAT]

3rd watch sucks. Most FF's in departments that run 3 shifts shift trade so they work 24hr shifts

Golly! That doesn’t sound very safe.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I sort wish that someone had taught me that sort of logic early on.... I am not complaining about my career at all.... but to see someone who retires and can enjoy life for 30yrs....I am always very happy for those folks.... they either chose the right career, saved well, or more often then not inherited it...

I'd rather run out of money, than out of time. Pops was a roofer, only got 4 years of retirement.
I'm outa money already, so things are going as planned

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Is ANYONE surprised by this?

People are greedy nowadays

 

[wzuber]

Is ANYONE surprised by this?

sadly......highly doubtful in this day and age.

 

[wzuber]

I must be in the dark, how does a Union President get overtime pay wtf?

right? I guess showing up to parties and evening events mean OT? fukin azz joke.

 

[scottchbrite]

I must be in the dark, how does a Union President get overtime pay wtf?

right? I guess showing up to parties and evening events mean OT? fukin azz joke.

Most of them are still part of the rank and file. My union pres, who is a captain, worked down (on OT) in a FF/PM spot the other day to so a guy could get a vacation day filled.

Ive said this before, OT is the life of a FF in the fire service in CA. Every agency is fighting for employees. Between growth, retirements, and lack of candidates, etc, we are forced to work OT whether we want to or not.

 

[wzuber]

Most of them are still part of the rank and file. My union pres, who is a captain, worked down (on OT) in a FF/PM spot the other day to so a guy could get a vacation day filled.

Ive said this before, OT is the life of a FF in the fire service in CA. Every agency is fighting for employees. Between growth, retirements, and lack of candidates, etc, we are forced to work OT whether we want to or not.

I guess things have changed significantly since the 80's/90's when I was on the outside watching friends manipulate/abuse the system for many years.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Wonder when they will get to examining the disability cases during retirement. Not sure if all depts are the same and obviously there are valid and questionable cases... but LACO it seems a good pecentage probably above 80% in their last year before retirement go on injury and file suit for disability and after the complete collusion job between lawyers from both sides, drs for plaintiff and department evaluate and charge the department, most every case comes back as disabled and portion up to 50% of retirement is tax free. I know many that benefit from this and good for them; but it just seems odd such a high % of disability claims go unchecked and everyone makes money off the litigation process. For those disabled they deserve it; just seems like a high percentage. Also seems like it is the playbook for all workers of all levels from Firefighters to Battallion Chiefs..

This is huge on the fire side. Every hose dragger I personally know has gotten some % of medical retirement.

They also all happen to be a little physically fucked up from their careers.

This is definitely on the pd side too. I don't have any firefighters but I have a few deputies. You have a duty belt presumption. Which is widely used. My favorite is hypertension. That's a presumption and a good one at that. I got life pension on that alone. On that note not every case is life pension. And when we say life pension unless you're 100% disabled the life pension isn't enough to live off.

And yes what you recover is tax free. But let me give you an example. 99% permanently disabled for any injury after 2014 is $260,202.50 Plus the life pension of about $300 a week there after. Thats what you get tax free at 99%. Anything below 70% is non life pension.

But this non sense that we are all in cahoots, is just that. Are there dirty assholes? Of course, there are in every industry. I for one hate state contracts at scif. I won't state my opinion of scif employees on an open forum.

The presumption is what gets a lot them in and why it's found industrial. Psych is also usually compensable. Think of the messed up stuff flyby has seen as far as accidents. I bet some of them have kept him up some nights. Is that a bs claim or legit? I think that's pretty legit how much is that worth? That's for a neutral doctor to decide.

The reason this is done in the last year is because unlike normal working class they get a year of full pay. Not the traditional 2/3.

Now what i will say is there is probably 2 attorneys that seem to get 99% of the cases from both sides the firefighter and law enforcement. I assume from the union. But defense and applicant. I've never benefited and I have a lot of defense attorney friends.

For the record i am not one of those 2 attorneys.

Yeah I don’t know.
I see the fireman washing trucks and exercising a lot. I’m not sure if their bodies are abused more than a lot of construction trades. Roofers, Masons, and Laborers are just a few that come to mind. That’s real body abuse

Those guys just don't have anyone guiding them. They too can file CT claims.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Those guys just don't have anyone guiding them. They too can file CT claims.

Speaking as one of the laborer types...it would be quite difficult as it is very rare for a laborer to work their entire career for one entity. I guess the self employed ones could file against themselves, but that seems even more shady than most other things. Maybe in a union type scenario a suit like that may be filed, but I've yet to hear of one in roofing at least. (And, to be quite honest, per capita roofers tend to be the biggest hoodlums )

 

[scottchbrite]

I guess things have changed significantly since the 80's/90's when I was on the outside watching friends manipulate/abuse the system for many years.

It totally has. Gone are the days of GUYS camping out by the thousands for a chance to apply for a few positions. Now we try for groups of 50 and can only fill 30-35 out of the few hundred apps. No need to “manipulate“ anything for OT. We’re working no matter what.

 

[scottchbrite]

And for the record, I don’t think you’ll find any of the guys on the floor that will support this kind of behavior, assuming they are guilty. I know my local has been audited many times due to similar accusations. Im not a huge Union fan boy and often get in hot water at work because of my opinions. Currently, our Local is stirring shit up with IAFF because we pulled out of CPF. Our union president is in a battle of sorts with CPF and their continuing lack of support and their political affiliation in this state.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Speaking as one of the laborer types...it would be quite difficult as it is very rare for a laborer to work their entire career for one entity. I guess the self employed ones could file against themselves, but that seems even more shady than most other things. Maybe in a union type scenario a suit like that may be filed, but I've yet to hear of one in roofing at least. (And, to be quite honest, per capita roofers tend to be the biggest hoodlums )

Roofers. I had a roofers once. I bent over backwards for this gentleman. He still subbed me out and then settled for peanuts later. I couldn't believe it. To answer your question. Labor code 5500.5 says it falls on the last year of Injurious exposure. Whoever you worked for in that last year is usually on the hook. I believe it's 5412 that says date of disability and knowledge so that can overcome 5500.5, but it's rare. Usually it's the last employer on the hook.

Now self employment. I've had one. This guy was smart. He has handed the payroll and insurance over to some third party company because he got tired of dealing with it. These yahoos put him on the comp policy. He finds out he's been paying for coverage on himself for years. He had several back surgeries over the years as well. He was upset because no one busted their butt more than him keeping that place going. He's paying a comp policy, his own health insurance and these surgeries and treatment Co pays. So he had us file a claim against himself. That was a first for me. We did really good for him and he is very fond of me. Lol

 

[t&y]

Union fees pay for my on-call attorney's. The rest of the bullshit they are supposed to do... yeah, still waiting.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Roofers. I had a roofers once. I bent over backwards for this gentleman. He still subbed me out and then settled for peanuts later. I couldn't believe it. To answer your question. Labor code 5500.5 says it falls on the last year of Injurious exposure. Whoever you worked for in that last year is usually on the hook. I believe it's 5412 that says date of disability and knowledge so that can overcome 5500.5, but it's rare. Usually it's the last employer on the hook.

Now self employment. I've had one. This guy was smart. He has handed the payroll and insurance over to some third party company because he got tired of dealing with it. These yahoos put him on the comp policy. He finds out he's been paying for coverage on himself for years. He had several back surgeries over the years as well. He was upset because no one busted their butt more than him keeping that place going. He's paying a comp policy, his own health insurance and these surgeries and treatment Co pays. So he had us file a claim against himself. That was a first for me. We did really good for him and he is very fond of me. Lol

As I've post before...it takes all kinds. When I was racked up in the hospital, I was steered towards permanent disability. "You'll never be able to do that work again"
Never been one to be told what I can't do.
Hypertension? Back injuries? Broken bones? Part of life, I chose to do the work I did. Hypertension and such I don't blame on work, stress hits everyone.

 

[Justsomeguy]

As I've post before...it takes all kinds. When I was racked up in the hospital, I was steered towards permanent disability. "You'll never be able to do that work again"
Never been one to be told what I can't do.
Hypertension? Back injuries? Broken bones? Part of life, I chose to do the work I did. Hypertension and such I don't blame on work, stress hits everyone.

A general misconception. Pd does not dictate ones ability to return. Many many many many of my clients stip the level of pd and go back to work. The doctors permanent work restrictions are what determine ones ability to return.

As for part of life, they take that into consideration. It's called apportionment and it reduces the value of the case. A doctor can apportion to anything really. Weight, gender, age, etc....

As for hypertension. Most don't get that on am industrial basis. For FD and PD it's presumed work related. So they usually get it. The famous case is a police officer riding a quad off duty has a heart attack. Presumed industrial. Thats written law. Take that one up with Sacramento.

As the Donald once said, I didn't make the rules I just play by them.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Speaking as one of the laborer types...it would be quite difficult as it is very rare for a laborer to work their entire career for one entity. I guess the self employed ones could file against themselves, but that seems even more shady than most other things. Maybe in a union type scenario a suit like that may be filed, but I've yet to hear of one in roofing at least. (And, to be quite honest, per capita roofers tend to be the biggest hoodlums )

A medical pention in any other union beside LEO and Fire That's a good one!!

 

[monkeyswrench]

A general misconception. Pd does not dictate ones ability to return. Many many many many of my clients stip the level of pd and go back to work. The doctors permanent work restrictions are what determine ones ability to return.

As for part of life, they take that into consideration. It's called apportionment and it reduces the value of the case. A doctor can apportion to anything really. Weight, gender, age, etc....

As for hypertension. Most don't get that on am industrial basis. For FD and PD it's presumed work related. So they usually get it. The famous case is a police officer riding a quad off duty has a heart attack. Presumed industrial. Thats written law. Take that one up with Sacramento.

As the Donald once said, I didn't make the rules I just play by them.

Call me old fashioned, but I'm not the litigious type. Been in more than a few situations where I could have taken advantage of such suits, but also been in situations where others could have flattened me.

I know of a union fellow, called on the grounds of being under the influence. Through litigation and well payed legal help, received early retirement on grounds of "PTSD".
Quite possibly risked harm to people in his charge while under the influence, rewarded for his actions.
There should be some limit, but laws aren't written that way. I may be broke, but when I see things like that, I wonder what a soul really costs.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Call me old fashioned, but I'm not the litigious type. Been in more than a few situations where I could have taken advantage of such suits, but also been in situations where others could have flattened me.

I know of a union fellow, called on the grounds of being under the influence. Through litigation and we'll payed legal help, received early retirement on grounds of "PTSD".
Quite possibly risked harm to people in his charge while under the influence, rewarded for his actions.
There should be some limit, but laws aren't written that way. I may be broke, but when I see things like that, I wonder what a soul really costs.

I respect that. Most aren't. But I'll put it a different way. Sounds like you had a rough accident as a roofers. You don't need a lawyer it's an insurance claim. Think of your body as the car. Car gets damaged and needs to be fixed. If its small, you're probably not turning it in. But if it's extensive you're not paying out of pocket you file a claim. Your body in comp is the same way. You file a claim. It's not really a lawsuit and you don't need an attorney. Some choose too. Just like the boating world there will be people that take advantage. But I've said it before. The new system has ways of dealing with those. Out of ptsd with a life pension. You better have been cal fire and suffered a catastrophic injury or been a gas station attendant pistol whipped by a robber. Psych most times isn't worth any pd these days.

It just isn't isn't what most think in my experience. There are examples but I think they are predominantly overblown.

 

[mbrown2]

Out of ptsd with a life pension. You better have been cal fire and suffered a catastrophic injury or been a gas station attendant pistol whipped by a robber. Psych most times isn't worth any pd these days.

I am seeing more and more iraq/afghanistan vets getting pretty good full disability while still having successful fire fighter jobs. Did not seem to be a thing just 15 years ago... I see some of these folks trauma so I get but just a trend I have noticed.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I respect that. Most aren't. But I'll put it a different way. Sounds like you had a rough accident as a roofers. You don't need a lawyer it's an insurance claim. Think of your body as the car. Car gets damaged and needs to be fixed. If its small, you're probably not turning it in. But if it's extensive you're not paying out of pocket you file a claim. Your body in comp is the same way. You file a claim. It's not really a lawsuit and you don't need an attorney. Some choose too. Just like the boating world there will be people that take advantage. But I've said it before. The new system has ways of dealing with those. Out of ptsd with a life pension. You better have been cal fire and suffered a catastrophic injury or been a gas station attendant pistol whipped by a robber. Psych most times isn't worth any pd these days.

It just isn't isn't what most think in my experience. There are examples but I think they are predominantly overblown.

I'm hoping it's overblown. I personally only know of the one. I just see it as bleeding the future for other guys coming up, not enough to cover them in a union situation. I've been fuckered up in roofing, but nothing too bad. Some parts wear out on some people anyway. At least I have stories to tell and a home because of it. There are those that deserve every penny, I just hope they outweigh those that take advantage.

 

[4Waters]

It totally has. Gone are the days of GUYS camping out by the thousands for a chance to apply for a few positions. Now we try for groups of 50 and can only fill 30-35 out of the few hundred apps. No need to “manipulate“ anything for OT. We’re working no matter what.

My first test was with LA City in 1999, they tested about 8k people a day for 3 days, the last City test had less than 2k people take it.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I'm hoping it's overblown. I personally only know of the one. I just see it as bleeding the future for other guys coming up, not enough to cover them in a union situation. I've been fuckered up in roofing, but nothing too bad. Some parts wear out on some people anyway. At least I have stories to tell and a home because of it. There are those that deserve every penny, I just hope they outweigh those that take advantage.

100% agree. Thats why I hate them. They destroy it for those that really need it.

I am seeing more and more iraq/afghanistan vets getting pretty good full disability while still having successful fire fighter jobs. Did not seem to be a thing just 15 years ago... I see some of these folks trauma so I get but just a trend I have noticed.

Totally different system. I know 0 about it. Other than, our doctors want to know if you had a military disability claim and to what part of body. Again because the value can be reduced by that.