In our last post, we began discussing some of the ways employers work to reduce their workers’ compensation costs. Although, as we pointed out, employers are perfectly within their rights to work to reduce their costs connected to workplace injuries, it is important for employees to understand that they have rights that need to be protected and that employers sometimes attempt to take advantage of them.
There are a variety of examples that could be offered to illustrate how unscrupulous employers try to short-change injured workers to reduce their workers’ comp costs. To take one example: although it is legitimate for employers to establish effective return-to-work programs to ensure injured employees are able to return when they have recovered, it is not right for employers to pressure a worker into returning before he or she is able to do so. When these programs are done well, workers can actually have better satisfaction, but if they are done poorly, workers risk additional injury.
Another area where injured employees are vulnerable is in settling worker’s compensation claims. The majority of such claims are settled by an agreement between the worker, the employer and the insurance company, but these agreements aren’t always fair to the injured worker. In some cases, employers and their insurance carriers low-ball an injured worker in terms of the amount of benefits and the extent of disability, and it is important to work with an experienced advocate to recognize when this happens and advocate for one’s rights.
Our firm is dedicated to assisting injured workers with their workers’ compensation claims, and our clients can be sure we’ll work to protect their rights and zealously advocate their interests.