How I got Tiny Tim'd and Fired 2 Days before Christmas

My name is Christian Brehm. At 35, I should be building the foundations of my future - utilizing a degree in Fire Science and fighting wildland fires. Instead, I'm fighting to survive after Builders General Supply's reckless negligence left me with a leg injury, a permanent spinal injury, and a traumatic brain injury, then systematically denied me proper care only to have the New Jersey Unemployment/Disability system kick me when I was down.

How one company destroyed my health and abandoned me

First Injury (Oct 2022): Suffered a leg injury at work - Builders General Supply never reported it to their insurance, denying me proper treatment. Over 2 years later, I still can't walk with a full stride.

'The' Injury (Oct 24, 2023): Around 11:30 am, while delivering 7 solid wood doors an inch and 3/4 thick and weighing a collective 700+ lbs., the unstable stack struck my head and pinned me against the truck wall. An inch lower, they would've crushed my orbital socket and I likely would not be here today. My manager in Freehold ORDERED my coworker NOT to call 911 and to complete the delivery. I sat dazed, leaking fluid from my nose, before being dumped at an ER alone around 3 pm.

Medical Gaslighting, their Workers Comp doctors:

Dismissed my vision issues for over 10 months until a neuro-ophthalmologist confirmed that the traumatic brain injury was the source of these issues.

Called my torn shoulder tendon "old age". I was slammed into a wall with the weight of 3 linebackers!

Pushed me towards a cervical fusion (C3-C6) saying it would alleviate my issues. It has only made my pain worse and they called it Maximum Medical Improvement, despite my consistent complaints and new issues discovered in Physical Therapy such as vastly diminished strength and dexterity in left hand.

Diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome after 18 months of misery. I can no longer tolerate flashing lights and loud noises to this day, which is a major issue if you want to be involved in Emergency Services.

The Final Betrayal (Dec 23rd, 2024): After failing a Functional Capacity Test (while still recovering from surgery; spinal fusions can take over a year to heal!), they fired me because of my new limited capacity to function. I wonder if they sent me the email at 5:01 after posting holiday cheers and best wishes for everyone on their social media pages.

Because I was on Workers Compensation for "too long":

New Jersey denied my unemployment benefits

The state would deny my disability claim

All because Workers Comp doesn't pay into these systems

2 months sooner and I would have qualified. Now I fall through the cracks.

My Life Now:

Constant pain: My head feels like it's being crushed like I am still pinned between the wall of the truck and the unimaginable weight of those doors. My neck and shoulder are still pained, with numbness and static in my dominant arm that I cannot lift over my head. I have head tremors and migraines, and my right ankle and foot have constant pressure and pain that sometimes becomes a burning/cold sensation that travels up my leg.

No income: SSDI approval could take years.

Surviving only because of my incredible partner.

Drowning in debt from a Fire Science degree I can likely never use and debts that grew during my time of limited income.

Why I Need Your Help

Builders General Supply gets to walk away for now, but I can't. Your support will go toward:

✓ Rent to keep a roof over our heads

✓ Groceries and basic necessities

✓ Critical medical expenses no longer covered by Workers Comp (I need to find doctors that will help me in SSDI determinations)

✓ Giving my partner some relief from carrying this burden alone

This isn't just about me and this isn't just about one company's negligence - it's also about how New Jersey's system punishes injured workers twice:

First by allowing employers to deny proper care, then by excluding us from the very benefits we paid into.

If a "family company" like Builders General Supply can discard an injured worker this brutally, who's next? By helping me, you're standing against workplace exploitation.

Every donation - even $5 - brings us closer to stability while I fight for justice. Please share widely to expose how they treat employees. This could easily be anyone's story.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Christian Brehm