Accidents and injuries occur every day. Some of the most catastrophic injuries people in Maryland suffer are at their job. Many jobs have inherent risks that often place workers in dangerous situations. Suppose you have experienced a life-altering injury while at work, you might need more financial compensation than workers’ comp provides. Our experienced Maryland workplace injury attorney discusses your available legal options below if you were fired after being injured in a work accident for no longer being able to perform your job responsibilities.
Can I Sue My Employer If I Was Fired After Being Injured at Work in Maryland?
According to the law, an injured employee cannot be fired in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Maryland. However, despite it being an employee right, the language of the Workers’ Compensation Act specifically uses the word “solely.” This provision means that the prohibition is only applicable if the only reason you were fired was for filing a claim. Unfortunately, because Maryland is an “at-will” employment state, you could still be fired for other reasons.
Common Injuries Employees Suffer in Maryland Workplaces
The injuries people experience in the workplace are often similar to those people suffer outside of work. If you have been injured in any way while working at your job and then fired for no longer being able to conduct your work duties, contact our Maryland personal injury attorney to review your case.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall accidents in Maryland are common whether you work at a garage, store, warehouse, or office. While some work environments will be more prone to slippery or dangerous surfaces, even a person working in a downtown office could trip over a loose carpet. Often, these accidents are caused by the negligent upkeep of the building or property by the owner of the premises.
Struck by Falling Objects
On construction sites or in warehouses, there are often multiple levels where people work. Additionally, equipment and other objects are stored at different heights. If boxes are stacked improperly or if another worker is careless and drops a tool, an employee could suffer a traumatic head injury if hit by a fallen object.
Crashes or Collisions
Many jobs require the use of vehicles to transport materials or employees. If an employee is recklessly operating a forklift, another worker could be injured if they are struck by the vehicle. Large construction sites often have pieces of heavy equipment, such as cranes or boom lifts. If these machines are improperly operated or assembled, devastating accidents could happen.
What Am I Entitled to After a Maryland Workplace Accident?
In many situations, an employee might believe their only recourse if they are injured at work is filing a workers’ compensation claim. While that is true in some situations, workers’ compensation only lets a hurt employee recover medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages. In a Maryland personal injury lawsuit, you are entitled to recover for your medical costs, past and future wages, and pain and suffering damages. Often, the damages for pain and suffering are a significant part of the compensation awarded by a jury or judge. If you were fired after being injured at work or after pursuing legal action after a workplace accident, t is critical to talk with our Pasadena, MD personal injury lawyer.
Holding Your Employer Liable in a Maryland Personal Injury Lawsuit
As stated, one of the benefits of filing a personal injury lawsuit for a work-related injury is the amount of compensation you could recover. Unfortunately, Maryland law does require filing a worker’s comp claim in many cases where an employee suffers injuries. However, that does not mean your employer is entirely immune from liability.
When negligent or willful misconduct on the part of your employer is the direct cause of your injury, they could be sued for any damages you incurred. For instance, a construction worker could hold an employer responsible for an injury if the employer failed to provide required safety equipment. If our Annapolis personal injury attorney establishes that you would not have suffered an injury if you had adequate safety equipment, your employer could be held accountable for the harm you endured. it is crucial to review the facts of your case with our office to determine whether your injury arose from your employer’s negligence.
Also, in some cases, employers fail to carry workers’ compensation. If this is the case, you are entitled to pursue recovery for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit.
Holding Third Parties Liable for Your Injury Through a Maryland Personal Injury Lawsuit
An important thing to remember is that workers’ compensation only protects your employer from responsibly if you are hurt on the job. In many cases, there might be other parties that share liability for your injury.
The tools of your trade are supposed to be fit for their purpose. If there is a manufacturing defect or design flaw in the equipment you use that causes it to malfunction and injure you, the manufacturer could be held accountable for your damages.
Other employees could be careless or reckless on the job. When an injury is the result of the negligence of a co-worker, it could also give rise to a personal injury lawsuit.
Our Columbia, MD personal injury attorney will thoroughly review the facts surrounding your injury to determine what parties share liability for your damages. You should not feel limited to a workers’ compensation claim, and you should instead review all your legal options. Often, recovering for all your expenses, lost income, and emotional distress requires pursuing a personal injury claim in the Maryland court system.
If You Were Injured and Fired from Your Job, Call Our Maryland Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
People are injured in work-related accidents nearly every day in Maryland. Workers who are hurt on the job face medical expenses and the potential loss of income. Our experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and resources to help you fight for your legal rights if you were fired after being injured at work in Maryland. To schedule a free appointment and determine if a lawsuit is necessary, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.