Workplace injuries are an unfortunate reality for many employees. It is crucial for both employers and employees to prioritize safety and well-being. However, in some cases, employees who report on-the-job injuries may face retaliation from their employers, which compounds the already challenging situation.

Like many other jurisdictions, Texas has laws in place to protect workers from such retaliation. If you are in a similar situation, Chelsie Garza, a skilled and qualified attorney at Chelsie King Garza P.C., can help you address the complexities of your circumstances. Chelsie and her team represent people injured on the job and subsequently facing retaliation by the employer.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses. It helps employees with medical expenses, wage replacement, temporary or permanent disability benefits, compensation for vocational rehabilitation services, and death benefits to dependents.

If you suffer work-related injuries, it is essential to promptly report it to the employer and start receiving the benefits you may be entitled to under the Texas workers’ compensation laws.

But filing a workers’ compensation claim can often result in a wrongful termination. It is illegal, and you must familiarize yourself with the next steps if you encounter such a situation.

Understanding Retaliation

Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse actions against an employee in response to their protected activity, such as reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation can manifest in various forms, including termination, demotion, reduced hours or wages, negative performance evaluations, harassment, or a hostile work environment.

Addressing Retaliation

Here are some general steps you may consider taking if you’re facing retaliation for reporting a job-related injury at your workplace:

Keep a detailed record of all incidents, including dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and a description of what occurred related to the alleged retaliation.
Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies to know how to proceed. It can also be helpful if you need to escalate the situation internally.
If you feel comfortable, schedule a meeting with the company HR to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
If internal resolution attempts do not yield satisfactory results, seek legal advice and get the necessary legal representation.
You may also consider filing a complaint with the appropriate government agency, such as TWC or EEOC, on the advice of your attorney.
Preserve evidence supporting your injuries and claim of retaliation. These records can be crucial in building your case.
Maintain open and honest communication with your attorney, the investigating agency, and other parties involved.

How Can We Help?

At Chelsie King Garza P.C., our attorney Chelsie Garza and her team tackle on-the-job injury retaliation cases almost daily. From straightforward ones to complex situations, we have seen every level of wrongful termination.

Instead of receiving support, victims consistently encounter a hostile work environment and threats of wrongful termination for reporting the on-the-job injury.

If you are facing retaliation, know that it is illegal. Your employer must recognize you for your hard work and support you in these crucial times, not condemn or punish you for reporting injuries or safety hazards at work.

Often, injuries could be severe, requiring extensive surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation. In this case, it is your right to pursue compensation to ease your road to recovery, especially when you are suffering due to someone else’s negligence.

For instance, a skilled machinist at a manufacturing unit joins the workforce assuming the facility safeguards its people and premises. However, one day he sustains serious on-the-job injuries due to faulty equipment. Instead of accepting negligence and helping navigate the workers’ compensation rights, the employer or facility manager responds to the employee with termination threats in retaliation.

But as they say, justice prevails in the face of adversity. This is exactly where the assistance of a qualified attorney comes into the picture.

Our attorney, Chelsie Garza, is an experienced employment attorney specializing in workers’ rights. She compassionately listens to the client’s story, reviews all evidence, and explains the best legal recourse available. Equipped with a strong case and all the necessary proof establishing the employer’s fault, she then files a complaint with the required agencies. The complaint would document the entire matter, i.e., retaliation for reporting a workplace injury showcasing the employer’s violation of Texas labor laws. She fights for the client until they regain financial stability during these testing times, and the liable parties can be taught a lesson in the face of penalties or fines.

Representing Victims of On-The-Job Injury Retaliation Cases

At Chelsie King Garza P.C., we have numerous success stories to share, and it also talks about our longstanding track record. If you are facing on-the-job injury retaliation by your employer, we have the expertise and resources to help you out. The attorneys at our law office can fight for your workplace rights. In Texas, unfortunately, it is a little too common for employers to retaliate against employees submitting on-the-job injury claims. But you have the right to pursue what you deserve. Contact us today at 713-893-8808 for a free consultation.