Can an injured worker be harassed or fired for filing a claim for Workers Compensation benefits?
A. No. The Act provides that it is unlawful for any employer or it’s Workers’ Compensation insurance company to interfere with, coerce or discriminate against any injured worker, in any manner, whatsoever, for exercising their rights to obtain any or all of the benefits provided for by the Act. Additionally, if it can be proven that an employer fires or forced to resign any injured worker in retaliation for filing a Workers’ Compensation claim, the worker could file a civil lawsuit against his employer seeking damages in the Circuit Court. This type of lawsuit is referred to as a ” Retaliatory Discharge ” lawsuit which could result in substantial damages against the employer.
