Notice to terminate while on Worker's Comp

A paramedic employed by Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA slipped on a newly waxed floor(while running to respond to a "code" patient). He hit the floor so hard that he was fully unconcious for about a minute. He was hospitialized for 4 days at the onset of the injury. He now has short term memory loss and is being treated 3 times per week at a local rehab hospital. His worker's comp claim isn't the problem, he's got that. However, just this afternoon he received a phone call from Employee Health Services that his position would be permanantly filled unless he's able to return to work by June 1st.

Can he loose his job while out on a worker's comp claim? Is the hospital required to give him his original job back once he's released to return to work (he's been on this job for over 20 years)?

Yes Joe he can lose his job.. A employer is not obligated to keep a position open indefinately..

However ( depending on state law) when he is ready to rtw the Employer has to offer him the first available position that is open.

It is hard to lose the job.. but the employer also needs to have someone working. His abscence though unintended is putting a strain on his co workers who have to fill his position.. and operating understaffed for what ever reason in his occupation is unsafe.

I am sure he will not have too mcuh trouble getting rehired..... Liz