Would I be eligible for unemployment?

3 months ago I had to have emergency surgery to have my gallbladder removed. I was only supposed to be out of work for 2 weeks, but since my work has extremely strict restrictions, they would not let me come back until I was 100% better and could do my job without any limitations or ANY risk of me potentially aggravating my condition by working. So I ended up being off for another 5 weeks, collecting disability. 3 days before I was scheduled to go back, I fell down some stairs and sprained my ankle VERY bad. I went to one doctor ( he was actually an orthopedic technician) and he basically rushed me to get off the crutches and start using it way too fast. He told me I was fine to go back to work after 3 weeks . Only I didn't feel fine to do my job (it's pretty physically demanding and there is absolutely NO sitting involved in my job...I'm required to be on my feet moving around for up to 8 hours at a time) so on the advice of my boss, I went and got a second opinion. The new doctor (who was actually a REAL doctor) agreed that my ankle definitely was not well enough for me to work on it, put me back on crutches, told me to not use that ankle at all and told me I needed to be off work for another 2 weeks. 2 weeks later, I went back in and she said that it was looking better, but she didn't want to send me back to work until I had had a week to strengthen my ankle. So I was off another week.Then I went back this week, and after doing regular walking on it, it was WORSE than the week before. Also, my foot now involuntarily points out to the side when I walk which is messing up the tendons in my knee and hip. She told me she did not want me going back to work until I saw a physical therapist for another opinion, and she STRONGLY advised me to find another job where I'm not on my feet. My yearly allowance of leave from my job was up as of yesterday, so I can't go in and tell them that I need to be off for another month or so. I also can't keep stringing them along saying over and over "oh just one more week I promise". It's basically gonna come down to I either quit or they'll probably let me go. I have been with the company for almost 5 years (which I'm only 23 so that's A LONG time for someone my age) and have been a good employee this whole time. Anyway, I was told by someone that if you have to quit your job because of medical reasons, you can collect unemployment. Is this true? And would I be eligible with my circumstances? I live in California BTW.

3 months ago - 2 answers