Back injuries and repetitive motion injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome are among the most common work-related injuries for which workers' compensation benefits are paid. Contact an attorney to determine whether you have a valid claim.
Learn More About Workers' Compensation
My name is Brian T. Morrow, of Brian T. Morrow, Attorney at Law, based in Joliet, Illinois. Serving clients throughout Will, DuPage, Cook and Kane Counties, I use my 32 years of legal experience to help injured employees obtain workers' compensation benefits. For more details about how I handle these cases, visit my workers' compensation overview page.
Below is some general information to educate you about how the law applies in these cases. For answers regarding your specific situation, please contact me to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.
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At Brian T. Morrow, Attorney at Law, I represent workers who have been injured on the job. When you retain my services, I will evaluate your case, explain your options and pursue your claim. Dedicated to helping clients reach positive results, I will fight for the benefits you deserve.
Have you suffered a workplace injury? Wondering if you should file a workers' compensation claim? If so, I can help. Call my office locally at 815-768-2871 or toll free at 888-340-5240 to schedule a free initial consultation. Or, complete the form on the contact page, and I will be in touch with you shortly.
Employer Retaliation against the Workers' Compensation Claimant
Workers' compensation is sometimes viewed as a compromise between employees and employers: workers give up the right to sue for large awards in court in exchange for certain and timely, albeit relatively lower, reimbursement for work-related injuries and illnesses. Employers accept responsibility for these injuries and illnesses even if they are not at fault, but they no longer have to worry about being tied up in court or about potential liability for large verdicts.
Unfortunately, even in this spirit of compromise, sometimes an employer may retaliate against an employee for filing or even talking about filing a workers' compensation claim. In most states, employees have legal rights and remedies in response to such adverse employer actions. If you encounter retaliation from your employer in a workers' compensation matter, an experienced workers' compensation attorney at Brian T. Morrow, Attorney at Law in Joliet, Illinois, can advise you of your legal options.
Examples of Retaliation
Most commonly, people think of employer retaliation in the form of retaliatory discharge — unjustly firing an employee for pursuing his or her workers' compensation rights. But improper employer retaliation can also come in other forms short of termination, such as discrimination or harassment in the following ways:
- Undeservedly poor performance review
- Failure to promote
- Adverse wage action
- Isolation or intimidation in the workplace
- Demotion
- Threats of adverse action
- Negative reassignment, reclassification or transfer
- Interference with the workers' compensation claims process
- Refusal to rehire
- Negative action vis-à-vis employment benefits or terms of employment, such as insurance, vacation or scheduling
- Unreasonable increase or decrease in job duties
- Unwarranted disciplinary action
- Undeservedly negative employment references
- Retaliation against a co-employee testifying in support of a claimant or cooperating in the investigation
Legal Remedies for Retaliation
Although a relatively recent development, most states have some legal remedy for employees whose employers have retaliated against them for taking workers' compensation action. Many states have legislatively created legal protections for such employees. These remedies may be available through state agencies and/or in court actions. Even where legislative action has not protected such workers, many states' courts have allowed retaliatory discharge lawsuits for exercising workers' compensation rights. Some states allow both statutory and court-created or common-law remedies; other states may only provide for one or the other. The remedies available vary from state to state, so it is a good idea to consult a lawyer to learn about your particular options.
Even if your state has not recognized these remedies for employer retaliation in the workers' compensation setting, there may be other ways to find legal help.
Justifiable Employer Action
Employers may still legitimately terminate or discipline any employee, regardless of workers' compensation status, as long as the negative action is not a pretext for workers' compensation retaliation and the action does not violate any other employment laws.
Speak to a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Stand up for yourself if you have been the victim of employer retaliation in response to the exercise of your workers' compensation rights. An attorney from Brian T. Morrow, Attorney at Law in Joliet, Illinois, can advise you of the law in your state surrounding workers' compensation retaliation.
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DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
