Significant injuries can result in lost wages due to time away from work. Fortunately, full-time employees in California and across the country are entitled to helpful benefits that can protect them financially and medically when injuries are suffered at work. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides wages and medical benefits to workers that have been injured on the job. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some employers to retaliate against employees for using benefits such as workers’ compensation. A man in another state filed a lawsuit after he claims he suffered retaliation for using workers’ compensation benefits.
The man worked as a coal miner in another state. According to his lawsuit, he was injured when a large metal door fell on him while he was at work. The man says he filed a worker comp claim due to the alleged injuries.
The man was later allowed to return to work with restrictions, the lawsuit says. However, the man claims was later fired for using his workers’ compensation benefits. The man claims he suffered both economically and psychologically. He holds his former employer responsible because it allegedly failed to inspect and repair dangerous equipment and retaliated against him for filing a worker’s compensation claim. The plaintiff seeks all damages and other just relief.
Although all employees in the state of California have laws to protect them against unfair acts in the workplace, not all employers adhere to these laws. Workers who feel they have been subjected to retaliation at work may be able to take legal action. A successful lawsuit could result in much-needed and deserved compensation to help victims through this difficult experience.
Source: wvrecord.com, “Hampden Coal LLC employee alleges he was terminated for filing workers’ compensation claim“, Philip Gonzales, Jan. 10, 2018