HELP--Advice desperately needed

Long story short....work for a private school. Got injured in March 2005...out on workers compensation (still am)--waiting for surgery this month, January 2006, for my knee and then my back. In December 2005, my company told all of its 130 employees that they would be closing the Maryland site (4 other schools in VA)--closing date: February 17th--hence, everyone needs to look for another job. There is no severance pay, but employees were told if you work until closing date that they would pay a "retention bonus" (a few weeks of your weekly paid salary in a lump sum). Other than that, any "paid-time off (vacation time), would be paid out to you at the of the closing date.

My questions are: Is the company legally supposed to have a job open for me when I obtain medical clearance from my doctor (if there is no permanent disability, I will go back to work)? Obviously, there is no job for me to go back to at the Maryland site. What are the employer's legal stand on this? What are my rights as a employee? Am I entitled to any other pay-outs? Should they pay for my medical benefits during this entire time until I obtain clearance? Should I be eligible for the "retention bonus"? HELP!

Thanks

JW

My guess is that they would only have to treat you as well as the other employees. If they are not offering other employees jobs then they would not have to offer you alternative work. If they are finding jobs for the other employees and refuse to do so for you and you feel it is because of your medical condition then I would suggest consulting with an attorney. Either way it may be good to talk to an attorney so he/she can examine all paperwork related to your employment.