Workplace accidents continue to occur at an alarming rate, and just the idea of suffering injuries while on the job can be a daunting concept. Such an incident could leave you with serious injuries that disrupt your ability to perform job-related tasks, and loss of wages during recovery could create dire financial challenges.
While you may be eligible to pursue financial aid during recovery via workers’ compensation insurance, initiating such a process can be an intimidating endeavor. You may even hesitate to initiate the process out of fear that your employer may retaliate against you, but there are laws that protect you against such unlawful treatment.
Wrongful termination
Under Minnesota law, employers cannot terminate or threaten such an action against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, this might not always be enough to prevent wrongful termination, and some factors to address when facing such issues might include:
- Document the situation: Should your employer take retaliatory action against you, gathering evidence and documenting the situation could prove integral to preparing to safeguard your interests.
- Know your options: Seeking guidance on your legal rights and available options could also play a vital role in preparing to make informed choices about the circumstances at hand.
- Unfair treatment: Wrongful termination is hardly the only form of retaliation, as employees who experience such treatment may also face issues such as demotion or relocation.
- Claim dispute: Your employer may also choose to dispute your claim, which can prolong the process and affect your ability to begin receiving much needed benefits.
Although facing the threat of retaliation or termination can be harrowing, you don’t have to go through this alone, and seeking guidance on your options may be integral to protecting your future.
Your rights and options
The workers’ compensation insurance system is intended to provide relief to those in need, and you shouldn’t have to be afraid to make use of this tool. With so much at stake, it could be in your best interests to seek guidance on your legal rights and options prior to initiating the process. In doing so, you could find yourself in a much better position in which to seek the benefits you deserve and help protect against any form of unlawful treatment as you prepare to enter the recovery period.