You're Entitled to Protection in Workplace Injury Claims
As experienced personal injury and workers' compensation lawyers, we understand that employees with work-related injury claims are sometimes concerned about retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim or pursuing a claim despite an employer's objections. There are a lot of ways that a company can discourage its workforce from standing up for their rights, and discriminating against successful workers' comp claimants is one of them.
If you're concerned about the possibility of retaliation or discrimination for taking advantage of a protected workplace right, contact an attorney at Berman & Russo in South Windsor. We advise clients in Greater Hartford and other communities in central and eastern Connecticut about the best ways to protect themselves from employer retaliation.
Involving a lawyer won't hurt your claim; it will help move it forward
Don't worry about a potential reputation as a troublemaker at work if you get a lawyer's advice about your rights on the job. If you're not in a union, your employer might well be tempted to bluff its way past your rights and assume that you'll never find out.
State and federal laws protect employees from termination, demotion or any other unfavorable treatment based on any of the following protected activities:
- Reporting an injury at work
- Filing a claim for workers' comp benefits
- Taking medical leave for surgery or an illness in the family
- Taking pregnancy or maternity leave
- Pursuing workers' compensation rights after a claim is denied by your employer or its insurer
- Appealing a denial or suspension of workers' compensation payments
- Reporting unsafe conditions at work
- Asserting rights to reasonable accommodations for a disability
Especially in times of rising unemployment, the legal rights of injured or disabled workers don't take care of themselves. The advice of an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights so you can keep your company honest.
We also advise workers about their legal "wrongs." You can get into serious trouble for collecting workers' comp benefits at the same time you collect unreported wages or self-employment income. If you have any questions about your own obligations, or if you need a defense to workers' compensation fraud charges, we can advise and represent you.
To learn more about the scope of state and federal protection of employee rights in cases of workers' compensation, medical leave or disability, contact Berman & Russo in South Windsor.
