Sadly, some employees are terminated while on workers’ compensation. Businesses are created to make money. Sometimes, businesses treat employees like a piece of equipment. If the piece of equipment is broken or not functioning, some businesses will simply replace the piece of equipment and move on. Similarly, some workers who get injured on the job are handled in this fashion. One past client stated that she felt she was treated like a “flat tire” and was “thrown to the junk heap.” In Georgia, many employees simply terminate or lay off employees who have been hurt on the job. Georgia is a “work at will” state. This means that the employee works at the will of the employer and the employer can fire the worker for almost any reason at any time.
What can I do about it?
In situations where a Georgia employer fires an injured workers, the workers’ compensation carrier should start weekly income benefits. Or in some cases, the injured employee may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the Department of Labor. Obviously, the business or Employer will often times contest the injured workers’ entitlement to income or unemployment benefits.
Also, in some cases, Employers who terminate employees because of his or her impairments may be exposed to other liabilities outside the Georgia Workers’ Compensation system.
If you have been injured on the job and have been terminated because of your work injuries, call Ramos & Law for your free legal consultation now. Waiting may jeopardize your right to legal relief.