If you lost your job due to an accident or injury, you could have legal options to pursue lost wages and more. Legally, you should not be terminated as the result of an incident that occurred under the scope of your everyday work duties.
Under Maryland state law, workers’ compensation insurance should help cover your medical bills and provide income following a work-related accident or injury. Keep in mind, in Maryland, the injury you suffered on the job will only be covered if it was caused by an “accidental personal injury arising out of and in the course of employment.”
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance carried by employers that provides benefits to employees who experience injuries or illnesses on the job. If your accident or injury happened at work, you could qualify for different types of compensation including:
- Lost wages
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Damages in wrongful death cases
- Much more
Sometimes there are disputes regarding the type and amount of compensation available to you following an accident. Regardless of the specific worker’s compensation benefits you qualify for you should not lose your job because of your injury at work.
Retaliation
If you were let go or experienced an unfair reduction of hours following a worker’s compensation claim, you could be the victim of retaliation. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for legally filing a workers’ compensation claim after an accident at work. Retaliation can include any type of unfair or negative behavior directed at you solely because of an injury, accident, or illness on the job.
No Fault System
In the United States, injuries on the job generally fall under the no-fault system, meaning an injured employee could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault. Generally, this is in exchange for being able to hold an employer legally liable, meaning you may not be able to take further legal action against your employer.
However, if your employer does not allow you to return for work following your accident, you could pursue legal action. You have the right as an injury victim to keep your job or receive benefits following your work-related injuries.
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Types of Injuries and Accidents on the Job
Some jobs are more dangerous than others, but the reality is that an accident or injury can occur at any time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported approximately 2.7 million on-the-job injuries and illnesses in 2020. Tragically, some work-related accidents are fatal. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5,000 workers lost their lives on the job in 2019 alone.
Your accident at work could have been caused in one or more of the following ways:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Mechanical failures of heavy machinery
- Illnesses transmitted at work
- Vehicle accidents
- Falling objects
- Exposure to dangerous or harmful chemicals and substances
- Fires
Regardless of what caused your accident, you should be able to pursue benefits if you suffered or missed work after an injury.
Pain, Suffering and Loss
An accident at work often leads to various types of suffering, including:
- Physical injuries: If you are lucky, your injuries could be minor, and you will be back on your feet after a full recovery. However, injuries at work can also be much more serious. In any case, you could be hit with medical bills and other injury-related expenses that you did not budget for.
- Emotional distress: Medical expenses, a change in your work status, and the trauma of an accident can cause emotional problems in your life. Sleeplessness, stress, anxiety, and even depression are common following work-related accidents.
- Financial difficulties: Unforeseen medical expenses and lost wages can damage your financial stability following an accident or injury.
The aftermath of your work-related injury can prove to be an incredibly stressful time in your life. To make matters worse, you could have unfairly lost your job due to an accident or injury. Remember that you do have legal options you could pursue for lost wages and other losses.
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Your Right to Legal Representation
If you choose to take legal action against your former employer, you do not have to fight for justice alone. Some victims find it helpful to have a lawyer represent them throughout the claims process. There are many potential benefits to having a lawyer by your side, which include:
- Assistance with tedious paperwork that can save you time and stress
- Support as you navigate the legal process
- Help understanding the types and amounts of compensation potentially available
- Available to answer your questions
- Help expediting your claim through the legal system
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Take Action Today
If you lost your job following an accident and would like to understand your legal options, our legal team is available to help. Call (410) 777-8960 today for a free consultation with the Law Offices Of Adam M. Smallow.
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