Facing Retaliation for an Injury at Work? Know Your Rights!

If you are hurt at work, you have many legal rights that your company must respect. Businesses are required to pay into workers compensation, and follow its regulations. If you have been injured on the job and have to resort to suing employer for injury, employment law provides certain protections. Here is what you need to know.

Retaliation is Illegal

One of the major concerns employees have when reporting an injury due to an accident or negligence on behalf of their employer is that they will become a victim of retaliation. Retaliation can take on many forms, such as demotion or reassignment. Lowering of wages while suing employer for injury also qualifies, as does harassment for filing a claim. These are all illegal practices. Under workers compensation law, you cannot face retaliation for reporting an injury or submitting a worker’s compensation claim.

What Employers Can Do

It is legal for employers to make temporary accommodations to your duties or schedule while you are recovering from your injury. The key distinction is that you are not losing position, pay, or status. Employers may also offer paid disability leave so long as you are guaranteed that you will be able to resume your duties at full pay when you return.

What to Do if You Face Retaliation

If your supervisor or managers further up the chain of command do not respect these laws, then suing employer for injury is appropriate. You should seek out qualified legal counsel that specializes in workers compensation cases, and be prepared to provide specific examples of your company interfering with your employment rights, especially when it amounts to retaliation.

If you are injured at work, regardless of the circumstances or safety conditions, you are protected under law. Any company that does not respect that law may face serious consequences, and have to pay dearly.