If you are an employee who has been injured on the job, you are entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law. The New Jerseys workers’ compensation system is designed to protect both employers and employees.
Employers must provide compensation, benefits, and reimbursement when an employee is injured on the job. In exchange, employees give up the right to file a lawsuit against their employer for work-related injuries. Unfortunately, employers are often reluctant to honor their part of this agreement and sometimes threaten or retaliate against employees who file workers’ compensation claims.
Types of Threats
Threats and retaliation by employers can come in a variety of forms and are not solely limited to firing an employee. An employer may retaliate or threaten to retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim by:
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Not promoting you
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Demoting you
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Intimidating you in the workplace
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Reassigning or transferring you to an undesirable position or location
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Taking unwarranted disciplinary actions against you
An employer can also unnecessarily interfere with your workers’ compensation claim or reduce important employment benefits you receive, such as insurance or vacation time.
Know Your Rights
If your employer has threatened or retaliated against you because you filed or intend to file a workers’ compensation claim, you have legal rights that you can assert. Even though New Jersey is an “at-will employment” state, this does not mean that employers can do whatever they want. An employer cannot fire you simply because you filed a workers’ compensation claim.
The New Jersey workers’ compensation system can be complicated and most employers know this. Most employees, however, are unaware of their basic rights under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system. As such, employers sometimes feel free to retaliate against employees for filing claims. This retaliation can be subtle, such as intimidation, or it can be more blatant, such as a firing or demotion.
Contact An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help
If you have been the victim of threats or retaliation because you filed or intended to file a workers’ compensation claim, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help. Call us today for a free consultation.
We can help you find an attorney with the skills and experience needed to fight your employer’s threats. You are not alone! Most attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that they only get paid if they win your case.
Call Workman’s Compensation for New Jersey today at 609-412-4722, or contact us here for a free evaluation.