We’ve stood by injured workers for decades, not just when they’re hurt—but when they’re treated unfairly for asserting their legal rights. Our Alexandria, VA workers’ compensation lawyer has helped thousands of workers across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia recover lost wages, protect their jobs, and pursue justice when their employers tried to punish them for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Our team is known for being aggressive advocates in the courtroom and compassionate advisors in the community. We’re proud to have earned a strong reputation among union workers, construction laborers, service industry employees, and government contractors throughout the region.
One of the most damaging—and unfortunately common—experiences our clients face is retaliation after reporting a work injury. Whether it’s being fired, demoted, harassed, or unfairly written up, employer retaliation is not just wrong. It’s illegal.
Understanding What Is Considered Retaliation
Retaliation takes many forms, but at its core, it happens when your employer takes negative action against you because you exercised a legal right, like filing a workers’ compensation claim. The retaliation doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it starts subtly, with a shift change, fewer hours, or suddenly stricter supervision. Other times, it’s blatant, such as termination, threats, or pressure to return to work before you’re ready.
We’ve worked with clients who were told their work-related injury wasn’t real, accused of faking pain, or pressured to resign. In more serious cases, employers have fired workers shortly after they filed a claim or after they returned from medical leave. No matter what form it takes, if you’re being treated differently because you reported an injury, that may be grounds for a legal claim.
You Have The Right To File A Claim Without Fear
In Virginia, it is illegal for an employer to fire or retaliate against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim in good faith. That right is protected under both state law and federal employment regulations. You do not have to prove your employer is angry or openly hostile, just that your protected action led to negative consequences.
We’ve taken on employers of all sizes, from local small businesses to national corporations, and we understand how to prove retaliation even when your employer tries to hide it behind excuses or false allegations.
How We Build A Retaliation Case
Every retaliation case starts with careful documentation. If you noticed a sudden change in how you’re treated after your injury or claim, that’s a red flag. We gather performance reviews, emails, timecards, schedules, HR complaints, and witness statements to establish the timeline and motive. We also explore whether your employer treated other injured workers the same way, which can reveal a pattern of retaliation.
We will reference medical evidence and work closely with your treating physicians to document your limitations and recovery process. If your employer ignored medical restrictions or pushed you to return to work too early, that can be powerful evidence that they weren’t acting in good faith.
What You Can Recover In A Retaliation Case
If we prove retaliation, you may be entitled to back pay, reinstatement, front pay, and even compensation for emotional distress. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available, especially when the employer’s conduct was intentional or malicious. We also continue to pursue your original workers’ compensation claim to make sure you receive full benefits for your medical care and lost wages.
Our goal is to protect your rights, your income, and your dignity. You shouldn’t have to choose between getting medical help and keeping your job.
We Understand The Pressure You’re Under
Many injured workers tell us they feel isolated and afraid to speak up. They worry they’ll lose their paycheck, benefits, or future employment. That fear is valid, but you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve helped countless clients stand up to unfair treatment without putting their case at risk. We handle the legal pressure so you can focus on healing.
Our legal team includes multilingual staff, and we’re proud to support workers in English and Spanish. We’ve represented laborers, warehouse workers, nurses, hospitality staff, and contractors—people who make our communities run but too often get overlooked when they’re hurt.
Talk To A Lawyer Who Advocates For Workers
If your employer has punished you for filing a workers’ compensation claim or for reporting a work injury, you have legal options. At Antezana & Antezana Law LLC, we don’t just take your case, we take your side. We’ve earned the trust of injured workers across the region through honest advice, consistent communication, and strong courtroom results. We invite you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to help you move forward and help you hold employers accountable when they cross the line.
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