The question “Can my boss do that?” may be asked much more often since employer retaliation is on the rise. Despite studies showing that workplace injuries have dropped significantly in the last decade, the idea of fewer injuries may be deceiving. In reality, employees are feeling the pressure by their employers not to report injuries that happen at the workplace. In 2012, the number of employer retaliation cases at the federal and state level doubled from the year 2011.
Employers claim the decrease in workplace injuries is due to the severity of safety crackdowns. However, many employers are offering incentives for employees to “stay safe at work,” such as bonuses for not having injuries, competitions between company branches and drawings to win prizes if you are considered “safe” in the work place. With these many incentives to stay safe, many employees aren’t being safer, but instead they simply don’t report their workplace injuries.
When you’re hurt on the job, Kansas laws state that you are eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, including doctors, hospitals, physical therapy, chiropractors, home care and equipment. It also pays for missed wages because of your injury or illness. As long as you are working or doing something requested by your boss, you will be covered by Workers Compensation.
Your boss cannot retaliate against you for filing a workers compensation claim. However, if you don’t file a claim and your injuries prevent you from doing your job correctly, your boss could fire you and you wouldn’t have a documented claim of your injuries.
Your boss may tell you that your injury isn’t covered by workers comp, but always check with a lawyer!
To learn how to start your own workers compensation claim, click here.
At Ray Hodge & Associates, we believe in personal injury handled personally. At our office you see a lawyer from the very first meeting because we believe your case deserves an experienced personal injury attorney right from the start.
If you have had a Kansas car wreck injury that was not your fault and need medical treatment, you need an experienced professional who can help you get back on the road to recovery. Call us today at 316-269-1414 or visit our contact page here. Our Kansas personal injury attorneys will provide you a free initial consultation and if we take your case you don’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you. Even then we only take a percentage of the total amount of your recovery.
If you have questions on what you should be looking for when you are making a decision to hire a Kansas personal injury lawyer, read our article located here.
Make sure you download our free car accident app for iPhone or Droid to protect yourself in event of an auto accident.
Ray Hodge & Associates proudly represents victims and their families across the state of Kansas, including Wichita, Andover, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Newton, El Dorado and Hutchinson. Call today for a free consultation all over the state of Kansas. We have proudly served clients in Sedgwick, Butler, Sumner, Harvey, Kingman and Reno Counties.