Plant Closing? Laid Off?
By: Ricky Boren
You may be entitled to more workers compensation.
However, if an employee who tried or settled their case and then went back to work is later laid off, they may be entitled to receive up to 6 times the highest disability rating. This is also true in the case where the employer is bought out by another company – even if the company does not close. The employee may even be entitled to receive total permanent disability, if the judge finds they are no longer able to be employed.
The right to reopen the case applies where the employee loses their job as a result of their prior injuries or they are “let go” through no fault of their own – such as a reduction in force or closing of a plant. The employee also would have a right to have their claim reopened if their employer was bought out by another company or merged with another company.
If you suspect there has been a change in your employer's ownership of any kind, you need to consult an attorney to determine if your old case can be reopened. Following is a partial list of West Tennessee employers that have closed, changed ownership or had significant lay-offs. This list is not meant to be exclusive and your employer may qualify even if not listed.