If i was hurt on the job and am now being accussed of and fired for theft do I have any rights?
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If i was hurt on the job and am now being accussed of and fired for theft do I have any rights?
A few weeks ago I fell of a ladder at work and had a workmans comp claim and now I am being accused of theft and have been fired.
Asked on August 12, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
If you did not commit theft, then you may have a legal claim for illegal retaliation; an employer may not retaliate against an employee for bringing a worker's comp claim. If you think this is what happened call the state department of labor and/or consult with an employment law attorney. You may also have a claim for defamation, if the employer has falsely told others that you committed theft when you did not, and you may be able to sue for compensation for this as well.
Of course, if you did do what they accuse you of, you may be terminated; having previously filed a claim offers no protection.
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