If you are hurt on the job and the injury is so severe that you must miss work in order to recover, it could threaten your financial security. According to CBS News, nearly 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
Of course, even if you are in the minority and have a sizable nest egg, losing a steady stream of income could affect your ability to provide for your family. You might take comfort in the fact that the hiatus is only temporary, and you will return to work once you recover, but are you certain doing so is actually an option?
When it comes to employment, Mississippi is an at-will state, which means employers can terminate someone at any time for any non-discriminatory reason as long as he or she is not under contract. This includes individuals who are at home recovering from serious injuries; however, employees who were hurt at work may have some protection under Mississippi Workers’ Compensation laws, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and under the Family And Medical Leave Act.
If you were injured in an accident, contact Ballard Law, PLLC, A personal injury attorney in Madison and Jackson, Mississippi. Ballard Law, PLLC will help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits and fight to prevent your employer from discriminating against you for filing a claim. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Could I Lose My Job While Recovering from a Work Injury?
In the state of Mississippi, an employer has the right to fire someone who has taken an extended leave of absence in order to recover from a work injury. It is possible that your employer will terminate you in retaliation for filing a claim against the company. However, with the right legal strategy, the terminated employee still may be able to secure compensation for lost wages and medical benefits. Certain presumptions of disability may arise if your employer terminates your employment after an on the job injury. In our opinion, terminating an employee after an on the job injury is not ok, and Ballard Law, PLLC does everything in its power to help their clients through tough times and to get them all of the benefits for which they are entitled.
If you were hurt at work and need assistance navigating the claims process, contact Ballard Law, PLLC. William E. Ballard will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim in addition to filing for workers’ compensation.
Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Madison and Jackson, Mississippi. If you want to learn more about workers’ compensation in Mississippi, visit usattorneys.com/workers-compensation/mississippi.
