Getting hurt at work can be physically, emotionally and financially devastating. Workers should be able to rely on their employers to do the right thing as they take the necessary steps to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Because they cannot count on their bosses, injury victims in New York should be sure to understand what their rights are when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits. This is especially helpful for those who think they might not qualify for benefits if they are fired.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently ruled that the U.S. Postal Service had discriminated against some 44,000 USPS workers. Those workers were all people who had been injured on the job and either fired or pushed to leave. This was part of a program that lasted five years and was designed to specifically target injured workers.
Working for the USPS is not all that safe, either. Of all the injuries that occur in federal workplaces, about half happen to postal workers even though they only account for 20% of the federal workforce. What many people do not realize is that sorting, lifting and delivering mail are all strenuous activities that can cause injuries both over time and in single incidents.
Someone who is fired after suffering an injury at work still qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits. But there are many victims who do not realize this. This is why it is so important to have a thorough understanding of how the workers’ compensation system works in New York.