Workplace injuries can be physically and emotionally taxing for employees. Unfortunately, some employers respond to these situations with manipulation tactics to avoid covering the cost of medical bills or damaging their company's reputation. With enough bullying, employees that do not understand their rights may be discouraged from seeking compensation for their injuries.

Our team at Mishra X Trial Lawyers strives to educate workplace injury victims on their rights, and recover all costs associated with these accidents. Continue reading to learn the various ways in which employers may attempt to dissuade employees from filing personal injury claims and how to approach these situations.

Downplaying the severity of injuries

One common tactic used by employers is downplaying the severity of workplace injuries. They may insist that the injury is minor and not worth pursuing legal action over, disregarding the potential long-term consequences it may have on the employee's health. In many cases, accident victims must undergo physical therapy, take medication, or pursue another form of treatment for many years following their injury. By manipulating the injured worker into feeling guilty or ashamed for seeking compensation, employers may discourage their workers from pursuing claims. If your employer is causing you to feel conflicted about whether or not you should pursue a personal injury claim, you may benefit from researching similar cases that have affected other workers in your industry.

Blaming the employee

Employers sometimes try to shift blame onto the employee, suggesting that their negligence or lack of attention caused the injury. By doing so, they hope to make the worker feel responsible for their own misfortune and discourage them from pursuing legal action. Such tactics can create a hostile work environment and undermine the employee's confidence in their right to seek compensation. If your employer is causing you to question your role in an accident that occured, speak to a work accident lawyer about the specific safety mechanisms put into place at your workplace and whether or not they were sufficient in the eyes of the law.

Creating a hostile work environment

Some unscrupulous employers may resort to creating a hostile work environment for employees who consider filing a personal injury claim. This can involve harassment, intimidation, or isolation, causing employees to feel threatened. By fostering an atmosphere of fear and discomfort, employers hope to dissuade workers from taking legal action, knowing that they may face retaliation or unfair treatment from the individuals they report to.

Threatening job security

Employers may try to manipulate workers by suggesting that pursuing a personal injury claim could lead to job loss or career stagnation. They may insinuate that the employee's reputation will be tarnished or that future job prospects will be negatively affected. This tactic is designed to exploit the worker's fear of unemployment and financial instability, making them more likely to abandon their claim. This is entirely unprofessional and should be flagged immediately as a manipulation tactic.

Misrepresenting legal rights and procedures

Certain employers may take advantage of their employee’s lack of knowledge regarding their legal rights following a workplace injury. They may mislead workers about the complexity and time-consuming nature of the legal process, creating confusion and doubt. The best way to understand your legal rights and which procedures are necessary when filing a personal injury claim is by speaking directly to an attorney.

If you have fallen victim to any of the aforementioned bullying tactics, it is important to speak to a professional who can provide accurate legal advice. Our work accident lawyers strive to protect workplace injury victims against these forms of manipulation and help them obtain maximum compensation for their injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.