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Monday, November 5, 2012
Most states require employers to buy insurance for employees from a workers’ compensation insurance carrier. In several states, larger companies can self-insure or act as their own insurance company as long as they are clearly solvent. On the other hand, only smaller employers, with around three or four employees, are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance. A worker that gets injured can file a claim with the insurance company or self-insuring employer, who then pays medical and disability costs depending on a state-approved formula.
Employers who refuse to get workers’ compensation insurance are subject to civil liability, fines, and even criminal prosecution, unless they are qualified for certain exempt categories.
Here are the specific penalties associated with failure to provide the required workers’ compensation insurance coverage:
Aside from the workers’ compensation coverage, most states also require employers to perform the following duties:
Workers’ compensation laws provide assistance to injured employees; however, they also aim to protect employers. These laws serve as the sole remedy that injured employees can ask from their employers. Still, employers frequently disapprove employees who seek to claim workers’ compensation benefits, and there are even some who straightforwardly discriminate against such employees. Since employees need protection from employers who purposefully harass, discriminate against, or unjustly terminate injured employees who file claims, most states have issued prohibition on employers against punishing, showing discrimination, or firing employees who take advantage of their rights under the workers’ compensation allows. Furthermore, employees are allowed to carry out civil actions against discriminatory employers for the misconduct “retaliatory discharge.”
If an employee who suffered from personal injury believes that the employer exhibited discrimination or performed wrongful termination, then he/she can file a claim against the employer for retaliatory discharge. In this type of suit, the employee has to convince a jury or judge that he/she was unjustly terminated. The employee doesn’t have to state that the only reason for the discharge is the workers’ compensation claim. Any other purported reasons can be presented to support the case. Typically, the test depends on whether the employer’s decision is chiefly due to the employee’s exercise of workers’ compensation rights.
Aside from termination, retaliation may also come in more subtle forms of discriminatory actions such as salary reduction or demotion. An injured employee is protected from discriminatory treatment after the injury and prior to the filing of a workers’ compensation claim.
DISCLAIMER:All information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Malman Law shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon. For more information read our full disclaimer.
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2 years ago I was involved in a trucking accident involving a 14-wheeler truck that nearly disabled me for life. Steve fought to make sure that I received the most possible compensation for my injuries. I was about to take the insurance company’s lowball offer, but decided to call Steve first – it was the best decision I’ve made yet
NOAH TAFFELPersonal Injury Victim