Deported Illegal Worker Wins Workers' Compensation Benefits
Posted by
Dan DeutermanOctober 30, 2007 2:36 PMIllegal immigrants may not be entitled to the same rights as American citizens, but they are allowed to sue for workers' compensation. A recent Rhode Island case involving an injured, undocumented worker from Mexico illustrates that point.
We first brought you the story of Edgar Velasquez this summer, and now there's a positive update.
Edgar Velasquez, 22, was issued a temporary visa back in the U.S. to sue for injuries he suffered while working for a tree service company.
Velasquez was hit in the face with a chainsaw and suffers from headaches, migraines and recurring pain in his face from the accident. He is seeking damages for on-going treatment and medical bills in Mexico.
Just last week, a judge in Rhode Island granted workers' comp benefits to Valazquez.
Business owners sometimes hire illegal immigrants because they're cheap labor. But they shouldn't able to shun financial responsibility when an employee -- illegal or otherwise -- gets injured.
For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Workers Compensation.