Dr. Carol Collins This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Employment Law InfoCenter Library

   www.voltz.com/emplaw/cases/pet - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/2/2000   Last Visited: 3/17/2001

   The first examination was with Dr. Collins , a physician under contract with Du Pont to provide general medical services for Du Pont employees. Dr. Collins verified Pettus's stress condition , and his need for time off , but believed a psychiatric evaluation was necessary. She recommended to Du Pont that Pettus should see Dr. Cole.
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   Dr. Collins recommended that Pettus see a specialist dealing in stress conditions.
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   However , Bob Rotter , the division manager at the Hayward plant , became concerned about stress levels in the warehouse and worried that other employees might be experiencing problems similar to Pettus's. [ FOOTNOTE 5 ] Accordingly , Rotter asked Dr. Collins to arrange an appointment for Pettus with Dr. Dominick Fisichella , a dermatologist , in order to determine the cause of Pettus's skin rash.
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   Dr. Collins performed a repeat physical exam and also discussed with appellant some of his personal stresses and his difficulty sleeping. Dr. Collins reported her conclusions in a June 17 , 1988 letter to Rotter , her sole contact at Du Pont. In that letter , Dr. Collins noted appellant's elevated blood pressure , heart murmur and rash , and concluded that these physical problems would not prevent him from performing his job. [ FOOTNOTE 8 ] Nevertheless , she recommended that Pettus not return to work because of the high level of mental stress he was experiencing. She reported that Pettus's stress seemed related to frustration over employment circumstances which began when he was working in Michigan , [ FOOTNOTE 9 ] but stated that she could not tell what proportion of his stress was due to work or other personal difficulties. Dr. Collins recommended that Pettus be given at least 30 days leave in order to pursue intensive psychotherapy and personality assessment.
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   Dr. Collins suggested to Rotter that appellant consult with Dr. Cole to obtain a psychiatric evaluation.
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   Dr. Collins set up an appointment with Dr. Cole for Pettus.
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   Following this suggestion , Dr. Collins referred Rotter to Dr. Unger , a psychiatrist with expertise in chemical dependency.
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   Pettus complied with company procedure without objection , and submitted to three medical examinations as instructed , including the physical examination performed by Dr. Collins and two psychiatric examinations , the first conducted by Dr. Cole , the second by Dr. Unger.
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   Dr. Collins merely confirmed Pettus's need for disability leave , recommended a psychiatric evaluation , and referred Pettus to Dr. Cole.
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   FN 5 Rotter first learned of Pettus's skin rash , and Dr. Collins's opinion that it was stress-induced , during a conversation with Dr. Collins on May 31 , 1988.
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   Rotter's notes of that conversation reflect the following statements by Dr. Collins : [ Pettus ] is on Xanax ... mild tranquilizer.
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   FN 9 Apparently , Rotter spoke with appellant by telephone on June 16 , 1988 , after Dr. Collins examined him.
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   Indeed , Pettus was examined by Dr. Collins in early May 1988 pursuant to this requirement.
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   On the contrary , Dr. Collins did not attempt to obtain an evaluation of Pettus's mental condition until Pettus requested disability leave.