The Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania, Family Medical Leave Attorneys, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

An injury or illness shouldn't cost you your job. The U.S. Family Medical Leave Act protects your job if you have to take time off to heal or take care of a sick family member. The Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania will protect your job and get you back to work.

Who Can Take Family Medical Leave?

The Family Medical Leave Act applies to employees who have worked at least 12 months (1,250 hours) for an employer with at least 50 employees.

When Can You Take Family Medical Leave?

The Family Medical Leave Act allows you to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if you can't work because:

• You have a serious health condition that puts you in the hospital or out of work for at least 3 days;
• You are pregnant or are giving birth;
• You are caring for your newborn or newly adopted child (including foster children); or
• You are caring for a spouse, parent, or child with a serious health condition.

Depending on your situation, you may be required to use up your paid medical leave before becoming eligible to request unpaid FMLA leave. You don't have to take the leave all at once, though. You can break it up or continue working on a reduced schedule as your medical condition allows.

Family Medical Leave Act Protections

The purpose behind the Family Medical Leave Act is to make sure a temporary condition doesn't put you out of a job. If you qualify to take unpaid leave, your employer may not:

• Deny or interfere with your leave.
• Fire you while you are on leave.
• Cancel your group health insurance coverage while you are on leave;
• Refuse to reinstate you to the same or similar job when you are able to return to work;
• Retaliate against you for filing for FMLA leave or standing up for another employee's FMLA rights.

FMLA Discrimination

When your employer doesn't live up to its legal duties under the FMLA, the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania will help you file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor. You can file a civil lawsuit against your employer as well. You may be able to get your job back, get paid for lost wages and replacement employment costs, attorney fees and costs, and other forms of damages.

Hire the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania

If you have been denied family medical leave, or lost your job while you were sick, the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania is here to help. Contact the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania today for a free phone consultation so you can get back to work.