Register v. OUTDOOR ALUMINUM, INC.

Supreme Court of Alabama

Geneva County | 338 So. 3d 741 | May 7, 2021


Injured Worker Appeals Termination Decision, Citing Retaliation Over Workers' Compensation Claim

Laura Register, an employee of Outdoor Aluminum, faced an on-the-job injury. Despite having a procedure for injury compensation, a conflict arose over her return-to-work date. Paul Rose, the production manager, terminated her employment, alleging absenteeism. However, one doctor had yet to clear Register for work. A year after her firing, Register sued the company for workers' compensation benefits and retaliatory discharge. Outdoor Aluminum claimed her absenteeism, not the compensation claim, led to her termination. However, Register argued the company sought an excuse to fire her. The trial court initially sided with Outdoor Aluminum. On appeal, the issue centered on whether Register's termination was genuinely due to absenteeism or if it was retaliation for her workers' compensation claim. Drawing from precedent, the court determined that enough evidence existed to question Outdoor Aluminum's true intentions. Thus, the trial court's decision was reversed, and the matter was sent back for a jury to decide.

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