Can You Work a Second Job While on Workers’ Comp?
If you've found yourself injured while working on the job, and you're gainfully employed by two separate companies, you may have wondered if you're still eligible to receive workers' comp benefits. In today's unpredictable and expensive economy, it's not uncommon for the average American to work numerous jobs to make ends meet. You might find yourself afraid about how you're going to keep yourself afloat while being out of work due to your workplace injury. When it comes to dually employed individuals, being out of work from both of your jobs may potentially mean putting your financial wellbeing at risk. Here's what you should know about second jobs and workers' comp.
Workers' Comp, Your Second Job, and Your Livelihood
According to Reuters, the amount of Americans working more than one job has grown over the last two decades with pay from the second source of income making up a large portion of an employee's earnings. In Maryland, if you've been injured while working on the job and your injury is directly related to your employment, you can file for workers comp benefits. In addition, if your injury makes it so that you cannot work your second job, Maryland workers' comp benefits will often provide coverage for the lost wages you would've received at your second job. These benefits are often considered wage replacement benefits so that you do not lose your livelihood due to an injury that occurred while on the job.
Concurrent Employment and Injuries
Maryland law outlines that your employer is responsible for lost wages, medical treatment, benefits in the event of permanent injury, physical rehabilitation, disfiguration, and death that occurs while on the job as a result of your employment. If you've filed with the Maryland Workers Compensation Commission and notified your employer through a claim in a timely manner, you may be eligible for workers comp. When it comes to concurrent employment, also known as working a second job, your employer will have to cover those lost wages if you're injured to the point where you cannot work. Your second employer is not responsible for this amount if the injury did not occur within their workplace. Additionally, your second employer may decide to transfer you into another department or assign you to duties you can still perform so that you may not lose out on wages.
Can My Second Employer Fire Me?
Maryland is an at-will-to-work state. This means that your employer may terminate you from your job responsibilities and position at any given time. If your employer chooses to terminate you, they are within their legal rights to fire you at any given time, with or without cause. However, employers may not fire you for unlawful reasons. Unlawful reasons for termination include your race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age, or whistleblower statements to a government agency. If you've been declared disabled due to your injury that occurred on the job, your employer might be held responsible for wrongful termination if they choose to fire you over your disability.
Shultz Legal Can Represent Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Shultz Legal is your experienced workers' compensation law office with convenient locations in Baltimore and Bowie, MD. We have the expertise to help ensure that you or a loved one can navigate the Workers Compensation claim process with confidence. Contact us today to help secure your rightful benefits and recoup financial losses from mounting medical bills. Give us a call at (410) 505-7627 or submit a request for a case consultation using our online contact form.
