Keeping Your Job After a Workplace Accident

It’s normal to want to get back to work as soon as possible after a workplace accident. You need to keep earning an income to pay for bills and support your family. Also, returning to work is a major part in the recovery process. However, getting back to work can be tricky depending on your progress and the nature of your work. Not only does your return depend on how you feel, but it also depends in part on your employer and your doctor. We understand that our clients who have suffered a workplace injury wish for nothing more than to move on with their lives, and our work injury lawyers have years of experience protecting our clients’ employment rights.

Contact Studinski Law, LLC, to speak with a Wisconsin workplace injury lawyer about your case and how we can help you keep your job after a workplace accident. Call us today at (715) 343-2850.

Your Rights as an Employee

You have the right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits in the event of an injury sustained at work. To protect this right, Wisconsin law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who have been hurt. You cannot be fired for being hurt, whether or not you have filed a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer also cannot unreasonably refuse to rehire you after your recovery. If you are unreasonably fired due to an injury, your attorney can help you file a claim which can result in your employer paying you up to one year’s worth of earnings.

Your rights as a worker aren’t simply about getting you benefits when you can’t work. These rights are intended to help you remain employed as you were before you were hurt.

These rights include:

• The right to choose your doctor
  Choosing a specific doctor is very important for many people. You must be comfortable with your doctor since their treatment will be absolutely necessary if you are to return to work.
• The right to confidentiality
  You have the right to privacy during your recovery. It is possible that you will work for another employer in the future after you recover, and privacy during your workers’ compensation claim can help prevent other possible employers from doubting your ability to work in the future.

If you suspect that you have lost your job because of being injured, or for retaliation after filing a workers’ compensation claim, your attorney can help you take action. In this situation, if you show that you were an employee who was fired after a compensable injury, the burden of proof is on your employer to show that you were fired for a legitimate reason that had nothing to do with your injury. Studinski Law, LLC, has helped many clients protect their rights and keep their job after seeking benefits following a workplace injury.

Responsibilities to Maintain Your Job

Your life can become very hectic after being hurt on the job. Our work injury lawyers can help you gain benefits and protect your rights, but there are still several things that you will personally be required to do during this difficult time. These things help make sure that the workers’ compensation system is not being abused by those who are not really injured, and complying with them can help your position in any dispute related to keeping your job.

Some of your responsibilities include:

• Keeping your employer informed
  It is important to inform your employer about your injury as soon as possible. With the help of your lawyer, you can also keep your employer informed about your recovery during the entire process. An informed employer will not be able to claim that they fired you since they had no idea if you were interested in keeping your job.
• Being honest and helpful with your doctor
  The medical professionals treating you need to understand everything about your injury so you can get back to work. Keeping your job could be hindered if your doctor feels that you have not fulfilled this responsibility. This also involves accepting reasonable medical exams and treatments, and following up on appointments as medically directed.
• Providing the insurance company with needed information
  The insurance company will need information about your treatment and income changes due to your work injury. While this may seem confusing at first, our attorneys can help you with every part of this requirement. You must also provide the insurance company with your contact information.

Studinski Law, LLC, Can Help You Keep Your Job

Your daily life will undoubtedly be altered as you try to physically recover. This will include considerable stress about paying your bills and getting back to work. Remember, you have rights as a worker, and in Wisconsin this includes the right to not lose your job as retaliation for being hurt or filing a workers’ compensation claim. Studinski Law, LLC, has years of successful trial experience, and has fought for our clients as they struggle to return to work. Our attorneys can offer practical advice and if necessary, can take the appropriate legal action against an employer who has inappropriately fired you after an injury.

Contact Studinski Law, LLC, to speak with an experienced attorney about your case. Call us today at (715) 343-2850 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.