According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in 2024, 42,882 occupational fatalities occurred in the United States. Of these, 1,738 were due to contact with electric current.
Workplace accidents are preventable, but when they happen, employees can be put in a difficult situation financially. Thankfully, when an employee gets injured while on duty, he or she can file a worker’s compensation claim, which he or she can use to cover loss of income and help sustain daily needs.
Are you worried that you might get fired while on workers comp? Losing your job while receiving workers’ compensation certainly affects your financial stability and ongoing medical care. Your job loss will not automatically end your claim, but it sure does complicate many things.
Let us help you understand your rights as an employee to overcome these challenges.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Understanding workers’ compensation benefits is important if you are injured on a job and want to recover and regain financial stability. These benefits generally include medical costs, lost wages, and all costs of rehabilitation.
One of the many benefits of hiring a workers’ comp attorney is that you will have someone who can help you file your claim right away. The process of filing a claim might vary quite a bit by state, so please do your research. Your attorney will be able to guide you through the process.
If you have suffered a permanent disability, your lawyer can help you further qualify your injury for additional benefits. Keeping a record of all medical treatments, correspondence from the employer or insurer, or other information is necessary to create a strong case.
Knowing your rights can help you overcome any obstacles when negotiating your claim.
Impact of Job Loss on Workers’ Compensation
Being fired while you are receiving workers’ compensation can make the recovery process much more difficult for you. If you have your employment terminated, your weekly benefits will not be easy to obtain and may be jeopardized, resulting in less money. This added burden can make it very difficult to stay focused on healing.
When your employer claims injury as grounds for termination, challenging the dismissal on other grounds becomes a tough battle.
Remember that losing your job does not automatically disqualify you from benefits. You may need to inform the workers’ compensation insurance of your termination.
Such a situation brings uncertainty, and knowing your entitlements as well as your options becomes paramount in managing recovery and finances.
Steps to Take After Losing Your Job
When an employee loses his/her job while on workers’ compensation, his/her welfare and benefits need urgent attention.
You should notify your insurer as soon as practicable that the job has been lost. A change in job status should be quickly communicated to the insurer.
Gather all injury-related materials and those concerning workers’ compensation claims. Gather documentation for business transactions with the employer and insurance companies. Start seeking alternative employment, which can have a direct impact on your benefits.
Consult a workers’ comp lawyer to ensure you don’t give up any rights. Doing these things ensures your way through this arduous time more effectively.
Exploring Your Rights and Protections
It is important that you know your rights and protections should you find yourself jobless while undergoing workers’ compensation.
You can continue to enjoy the benefits even after losing your job. Workers’ comp is there to support you in your recovery. Under normal circumstances, an employer cannot retaliate against you for a filed workers’ comp claim. So, your rights are safe even in the event of a job firing
Former employers cannot reject benefits. State laws vary in application. Consult a lawyer if you’re unsure. Information will help you through difficult situations and provide assistance.
Resources for Support and Guidance
Workers’ compensation and job loss may feel complex, but a large number of help options out there certainly levels the playing field.
To start with, call your state’s workers’ compensation board for information on your rights and benefits. It will be smart to consult a local workers’ comp attorney who understands the plight of employees; they can help you with advice.
Being a member of relevant online forums and support groups may connect you with comrades in similar situations for mutual support and some fantastic suggestions.
There are non-profit organizations in the community that provide other forms of financial assistance and job retraining to help someone move on.