Mark Roman | February 11, 2025 | Workers' Compensation
Getting hurt in an accident can turn your world upside down, especially if it costs you your job. Losing your job after an accident is stressful, but knowing your rights can help you figure out what to do next. In this blog, we’ll explain what happens if an accident or injury causes you to lose your job and how to protect yourself in Florida.
Can an Accident Cause You to Lose Your Job?
Yes, an accident can lead to job loss in different ways. Here are some examples:
- You Can’t Work: If your injury makes it hard or impossible to do your job, your employer might have to let you go. This is especially true for jobs that require physical activity.
- Too Much Time Off: If your recovery takes too long, your employer might replace you because the work still needs to get done.
- Unfair Treatment: Sometimes, employers treat injured workers unfairly. If they fire you just because of your injury, they might be breaking the law.
Losing a job because of an accident is never easy, but it’s important to know there are certain laws that protect injured workers in Florida.
Laws That Protect Injured Workers in Florida
If you’ve been hurt, Florida has laws to protect you at work. These include:
- Workers’ Compensation: If you got hurt on the job, workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and lost wages. Employers can’t fire you just for filing a claim.
- Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Under the ADA, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to workers with disabilities, including those injured at work, as long as the injury qualifies as a disability under the law. For example, if you can’t stand for long periods, your employer might be required to offer you an appropriate job modification, such as desk work.
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for serious health conditions. However, this law only applies to employers with 50 or more employees, and the employee must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having worked for at least 12 months.
If your employer fires you or refuses to follow these rules, you may have a cause of action.
Can You Get Money for Losing Your Job?
If someone else caused the accident that injured you, you might be able to get compensated for losing your job. Here’s what you could recover:
- Lost Wages: You can ask for the money you missed out on because you couldn’t work after your accident.
- Future Lost Income: If your injury makes it hard to work in the future, you can request compensation for the money you would have earned.
- Other Damages: Losing your job can damage your emotional health. However, you might be able to recover from stress, anxiety, or other emotional impacts.
Talking to an attorney can help you figure out what kinds of compensation you qualify for.
What to Do If You Lose Your Job After an Accident
If you’ve lost your job because of an accident, here’s how to protect yourself:
- Keep Records: Write down everything, like doctor’s notes, medical bills, and any emails or letters from your employer about your injury.
- Start a Workers’ Compensation Claim: If you were hurt at work, let your employer know and file a workers’ compensation claim right away.
- Think About Filing a Personal Injury Claim: If the accident wasn’t your fault, you could file a claim against the person who caused it.
- Talk to a Lawyer: An attorney can explain your rights, help you gather proof, and fight for the money you deserve.
Taking these steps can help you stay on track after an accident and make sure you get the support you need.
Contact the Clearwater Workers Compensation Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a workers compensation lawyer in Clearwater. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500
