Legal Question in Workers Comp in New Jersey
Harassment over workman's comp injury
I fell down stairs at work and fractured my right wrist in several places. I am a secretary and am right handed. I am not able to perform my job at all and have not been released by my workman's comp physician yet. I have been in a cast for 6 weeks and have had much pain and discomfort due to the fall. I found out from a co-worker that my boss is making negative comments about me to other co-workers about the amount of time that I have been out, etc. Is this something that I could question him about and let him know that it is very insulting and not in good taste to discuss anything about my injury with other co-workers in a negative way? I am very upset and dissappointed that an employer would act that way. I will probably have to be out of work at least another 2-3 weeks or until my wrist is totally healed. Do you have ant advice for me? THANK YOU.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Harassment over workman's comp injury
Although it is a crummy rotten thing that your boss is said to be doing, I don't believe that you have an actionable claim for THAT unless perhaps somehow it causes you to lose employment advancement opportunites or standing among your peers. Your workers compensation claim however is a very solid one and even after your cast is removed and you return to work you will most likely still have a claim. With the type of injuury you suffered combined with the type of work that you do, the odds are that you will never be able to return 100% to the same physical condition that you were in before your accident. Because of that I can get you what is known as a permanent disability award (a monetary award) for your injury. This is at no cost to you up front - I only would get paid once I won your case. I am an attorney who has handled hundreds of workers compensaiton cases in various courts in New Jersey in the past. I would like to discuss your case with you in more detail. Please contact me at your convenience. I never charge for simply talking to a person about their case. Thank you.
Sincerely yours, -Ronald Aronds, Esq.-
www.njworkerscompensationlaw.com
Re: Harassment over workman's comp injury
While the comments are inappropriate, I am not sure tht hat there is any legal action that can be taken. If you were hurt at work you are entitled to ahv eyour bills paid, be compensated for time out of work that is required becasue of the injury and if there is permanancy, receive an award for this. We can assist you in this regard. You cannot be fired, disciplined or otherwise penalized for making a claim, this is violation of hte law. We can certainly examine those issue for you as well.
Please contact my partner, Patrick Caulfield, a attorney Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to discuss your rights if you wish. We can be reached at 800-34-NJ-LAW
Re: Harassment over workman's comp injury
The boss will probably be able to get away with making those comments. How big of a company is it? Is there a human resources department? Large companies usually have policies against this type of thing. You do have a workers' comp claim and, once you are released from treatment ang return to work, should be able to get money for the injury. I can help and our consultations are free.
Ricky