Complaint Review: State Office of Risk Management (SORM)

I was a Parole Officer. I was injured on the job, and I am NOW totally disabled.

I applied for my Occupational Disability Retirement. I was denied. The State stated that "driving is not an inherent risk particuliar to the duties of a Parole Officer".

Now, bear in mind, in order to get a job as a Parole Officer, you have to be able to drive, ie:have a car. You have to do home visits. Actually, one spends over 50% of their time in the car.

The states position is we all have a risk each time we get behind the wheel of the car. I agree. However, my position is the fact that if you spend more time in the car, doing the job, then the risk is greater. So, their argument isn't valid.

Well, by loosing this benefit, I was terminated, and lost my medical and dental. So, now, doing my job, never missing a day in over two years, now being totally disabled doing what I loved to do, and they repay their dedicated employees.

The state of Texas sucks. All I can to all is to BE Careful. The State of Texas only writes laws that will benefit THEM. If I had the wherewithall to move, I would.

Terri
Arlington, Texas