Can a terminated employee file a workers' compensation claim in Hawaii?

A terminated employee in Hawaii can indeed file a workers' compensation claim if the injury occurred while they were employed prior to their termination. This is rooted in the principle that workers' compensation is designed to provide benefits for employees who sustain injuries or illnesses related to their job duties, regardless of their current employment status at the time of filing a claim.

Workers' compensation laws in Hawaii, like those in many other states, do not restrict the ability to file a claim based solely on the employee's current employment status. Instead, the focus is on whether the injury took place in the course of employment. Therefore, if a former employee suffered an injury while performing their job duties before being terminated, they maintain the right to seek compensation for medical costs and lost wages associated with that injury.

The other options imply restrictions that do not align with Hawaii's workers' compensation laws, which emphasize protection for workers based on the occurrence of their injury rather than their employment status at the time of the claim. This ensures that employees are covered for work-related injuries even if they are no longer in the employment of the organization where the injury occurred.