Court Opinion

ID: 9776244
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:28:30.975397+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:36.267659
License: Public Domain

BLACKMAR, Judge,
concurring.
I concur fully in the principal opinion. I write because Judge Donnelly’s opinion is productive of unnecessary confusion.
Contrary to his assertion, the principal opinion does not hold that “an injured employee must be insured his subsequent return to work,” and does not put “employers in an untenable position.”
*277The plaintiffs case absolutely depends on his initial conversation with the foreman when he inquired about the reason for his discharge. The foreman told the plaintiff that his discharge was related to his having availed himself of the medical and hospital benefits available under the Worker’s Compensation Law. It is not significant that the actual claim for compensation benefits had not been filed. The claim was imminent. It is customary for the employee to receive treatment as needed from the medical providers selected by the employer in advance of the filing of a formal claim for disability benefits.
The jury might conclude that the reason assigned by the foreman was the true reason, and also that this reason brought about the quick abortion of the decision to rehire. It must also have concluded that additional reasons assigned, such as the desire to restart the probationary period, represented afterthought. It was not compelled to accept the employer’s explanation. The jury was properly instructed as to the causal relationship required to be shown and the evidence supported its finding.
The news of the initial conversation, when noised about the plant, well might have a chilling effect on the filing of compensation claims by other employees. Whether the conversation actually occurred or not is purely for the jury. The apprehensive employer need only instruct its supervisors that there must be no retaliation on account of the filing of compensation claims.