Seeking Justice: Winning Your Retaliatory Discharge Case When You Get Injured at Work in Illinois

May 16, 2023

Injured employees in Illinois deserve fair treatment and support when they suffer workplace accidents. However, some employers may resort to retaliatory discharge, unfairly terminating employees who assert their rights by filing for workers’ compensation benefits. If you have experienced retaliatory discharge in Illinois due to reporting a work-related injury and expressing your intent to file for workers’ compensation, this blog post will guide you through what you need to prove to win your case and seek the justice you deserve. For legal advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney experienced in retaliatory discharge cases.

Proving Retaliatory Discharge when you get injured at work:

To prevail in a retaliatory discharge case, several key elements must be established. The essential factors you need to prove in order to strengthen your case include the following:

1. Protected Activity: First and foremost, you must demonstrate that you engaged in a protected activity. In this case, the protected activity is asserting your rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act by notifying your employer of your work-related injury and expressing your intention to file for workers’ compensation benefits.
2. Termination: You must establish that your employer took adverse action against you by terminating your employment, which is a clear example of retaliatory discharge. If you quit, you won’t be able to prove a retaliatory discharge case.
3. Causal Connection: Proving a causal connection is crucial to your case. You need to establish that your employer terminated your employment specifically because you engaged in the protected activity of reporting your injury and intending to file for workers’ compensation benefits. This can be demonstrated by establishing a close temporal proximity between your protected activity and the adverse employment action.
4. Lack of Legitimate Justification: Lastly, you must show that your employer lacked a legitimate, non-retaliatory justification for the termination. This means disproving any alternative reasons your employer might provide for your termination, such as poor performance, violations of company policies, or economic reasons. Demonstrating that the adverse action was solely motivated by retaliation is critical.

Building a Strong Case:

To strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of winning, consider the following steps:

1. Document Everything: Keep meticulous records of your injury, medical treatments, conversations with your employer, and any other relevant evidence. This documentation will help support your claims and provide a timeline of events.
2. Gather Witness Testimonies: If there were any witnesses to your injury, conversations with your employer, or discussions regarding your termination, gather their testimonies. Their statements can provide additional credibility and corroboration.
3. Consult an Employment Attorney: Seek legal representation from an experienced employment attorney specializing in workers’ compensation and retaliatory discharge cases. They will guide you through the legal process, help you navigate the complexities of the law, and advocate for your rights.

Experiencing retaliatory discharge after reporting a work-related injury and expressing your intention to file for workers’ compensation benefits can be disheartening. However, by understanding the elements you need to prove to win your case, you can take the necessary steps towards seeking justice.

Remember, consulting with an experienced employment attorney is crucial to building a strong case. They will help you gather evidence, navigate legal complexities, and fight for your rights. With the right legal representation, you can assert your rights, hold your employer accountable, and secure the compensation you deserve.

Your voice matters, and no one should suffer retaliation for asserting their rights under the law. Employers should strive for a workplace that values the well-being and safety of every employee in Illinois.