Getting laid off and Health ins. question

[pred]

I am wondering,,,
I as well as a couple of other folks were laid off a bit ago, We were told we would keep our benifits, We have no employee handbook and never did, One does not exist for the company which is located in Montgomery county PA with about 30 employees total.
One of the guys who was laid off called me and told me that he just had dental work done and the Ins. card was NOT expired, But the plan was swqitched and he was not covered,,, He called the office which has never called anybody to tell of any changes about Ins. or working again. And was told that his benifits would be dropped at the end of this month....
I would figure it means mine would be dropped too!
So he asked to meet with the two owners to have a meeting,,,, This will be tomorrow at 1pm.
The question I have is there any legal standpoint we can stand on,.
The 3 employees that are laid off right now have been with the company the longest, Me being 15 years, And we were laid off first since the one owners son didnt like us since we caught him in lies and went above his head to his dad or the other partner.
So he doesn't like us at all since we would not take his crap!
I DO NOT want to work with him, OR for him again,,,, BUT is there any legal stuff I need to know?
Can they drop our ins without even a letter or phone call?
Is there anything about seniority and available work?
None of the 3 of us have ever been written up, Were always at work on time, And are absolutely the top or the workers,
In fact, I ran all the jobs for 15 years, And this son cant even run 1 job now, He keeps screwing up and pissing off owners so bad that one came to get a quote for a million dollar job and said I will not give it to you if the son runs it, But if Peter (ME) runs it I will give it to you.
Well I am still not working and this job went to our main rival.
Please any advice or direction to look is appreciated!
Peter.
ps, I am enjoying not working, Now that I have weaned ,myself off of just stopping at gun shops, I have been doing quite well so no worries for me,,,,~~~
But if there is a legal standpoint I can stand on to make them sweat, I may have a bit of spare time to give them something more to do.
And it does appear that the Co. is doing poorly since the Son started making decisions last year,,,,
Thank you for reading and any help is appreciated!
Peter

 

[Bullet Bob]

It's kind of late in the game, but your local Employment Security Commission will have more info for you about your state's laws, outside of an attorney who specializes in employment law.

 

[nisamo]

If you are laid off you may be able to get cobra insurance for 18 months and get a 2/3 premium deduction the first 9 months. Worth checking into.

 

[HOGSTR]

Generally speaking, if your employer had 20 or more employers, offered a group benefit to all employees (and continues to do so), and is not a college or church benefit plan...I can't find a legal reason for them to deny you Cobra unless you are eligible for Medicare. If you can't consult an attorney, consider filing an appeal of your denial regarding the current subsidy program. This is the 65% premium reduction that's being offered right now. That will launch a Dept of Labor investigation in short order. Here's the link, and other helpful information. Your state law probably has a similar Cobra provision. Send me a PM if you have other questions.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA/main.html

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

 

[Storm52]

If you were an 'at will employee' there isn't much you can do as far as EEOC claim. As far as health insurance, others have already mentioned COBRA, if your previous employer falls within the requirements. You will have sticker shock with the cost of the premiums. You basically pay the entire premium that your employer was covering for you. The stimulus package addressed a premium reduction for employees laid off due to the economy. If you qualify for COBRA, the insurance company will contact you once you indicate you want to enroll.

 

[Spotteddog]

The system (at least as of now) is working as the gentlemen above described. It is something you want to already have in place prior to possibly needing to use it. There are many at cost/low cost/no cost legal aid representation outfits anymore. It may be state, county, city or state bar association sponsored. I know there are several out here. They will vary from state to state, but I'm certain yours has them.
(EDIT) Your state's insurance commission (or whatever it's called there?) may also be mandated to assist citizens RE: state regulated health insurance connected regulation, as well.