Cool.
Then you need to apply for short term disability.
If he has the hours.
Section 6. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
"All employees who have worked for the Company for a minimum of twelve (12) months and worked at least 1250 hours during the past twelve (12) months are eligible for unpaid leave as set forth in the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Additionally, any employee not covered above, that has worked for the Company for a minimum of thirty-six (36) months and accrued at least 625 paid hours during the past twelve (12) months is eligible for unpaid leave as set forth below, except that the amount of leave allowed will be computed at one half (1/2) of the time provid- ed by the FMLA."
http://teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/6161478090_master_final.pdf
In most plans, it's 8 days.
The OP needs to contact his insurance plan to get the ball rolling.
Giving his carrier a heads up, will solve a lot of problems.
-Bug-