Workplace injuries are, unfortunately, not entirely uncommon. Whether you work on a construction site or in a factory, there are many settings where a workplace injury may occur. Sometimes, on occasion, an employee may be fired following a workplace injury.
There are justifiable reasons to be fired, such as poor work performance or the financial woes of the employer. But, if you suspect you were fired because of the injury or a subsequent workers compensation claim filed with the company, the firing may be illegal. If this is the case, you may be able to file a case against your employer for wrongful termination.
The first step is to gather any and all relevant information you can regarding the relationship you’ve had between you and your employer. Document discussions, collect any paperwork related to the injury and the firing, previous exchanges between you and your superiors, and even evaluations and performance reviews. Collecting all this information is essential, as it may be used in court against your former employer.
You will then likely want to get more information about the employment law aspects of the case. This can include a review of all the information and determining whether your case has a chance of success. If you win, you may be entitled to compensation, including lost wages and possibly even the opportunity to get your job back.
It is important to understand there are statutes of limitations on wrongful termination suits. It is usually essential that you proceed as soon as possible to avoid complications or the chance that your case can no longer be sent to court.
Source: findlaw.com, “First Steps If You’re Fired After an On-the-Job Injury,” Accessed on Sept. 20, 2015
