Driver who refused to drive in hazardous weather wins OSHA STAA case
For many years now attorney Paul Taylor of Truckers Justice Center has been standing up for truckers and their rights. Mr. Taylor won his most recent case for his client Clint Collins. Mr. Collins refused to drive in hazardous weather and got fired for it. OSHA found the firing violated the STAA and ordered Freight Rite to offer Collins reinstatement without retaliation and awarded the following:
- Back pay: $32,660.40 with interest;
- Emotional pain and suffering: $50,000;
- Punitive Damages: $100,000;
- Attorney Fees: $5,871.85
Paul Taylor at Ask-A-Lawyer event at GATS
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Freight Rite Inc. – based in Florence, Kentucky – to reinstate a truck driver terminated after he refused to operate a commercial motor vehicle in hazardous road conditions caused by inclement winter weather.
“Forcing drivers to operate a commercial motor vehicle during inclement weather places their lives and the lives of others at risk,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer, in Atlanta, Georgia. “This order underscores the agency’s commitment to protect workers who exercise their right to ensure the safety of themselves and the general public.”
OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of STAA and 21 other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, motor vehicle safety, healthcare reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, and securities laws. For more information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
Mr Taylor has one many cases for truckers and has been a speaker at many events, including ( but not limited to)
1st and 2nd annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention,
The 2017 “AskALawyer” event at GATS hosted by Real Women in Trucking (RWIT)
the “Hot Legal Topics for Truck Drivers” at GATS, also hosted by RWIT.
Videos for both events on TruckingSocialMedia
What every truck driver should know Part 1- First introduced at the 2011 Trucking Social Media Convention. This video appeared to kick off his own series of videos to help drivers understand the laws which protect them.
His active YourTube Channel offers drivers advice on many topics by creating short videos, answering some of truckers most common ( and not so common) questions.
Paul has been a guest on our internet radio show, AskTheTrucker “Live’, a few times, offering legal advice to professional drivers,
Truckers Justice Center is also active on FaceBook and Twitter
Paul O. Taylor- Truckers Justice Center
Attorney
Direct Dial (651) 454-5800
Taylor & Associates, Ltd. – Truckers Justice Center
5100 Edina Industrial Boulevard, Suite 230
Edina,MN 55439
