If I asked for a show of hands, most of you out there would probably answer "no." I say that because I get this question asked of me all the time, and I always receive an incredulous response when I confirm that an employer can indeed fire an employee who has been on or is now off workman's comp. Only the Family and Medical Leave Act restricts an employer's ability not to hold open a job, and that time limitation is 12 weeks. That is, an employee who works for a company of over 50 employees for at least a year can be out for a serious medical problem for as long as 12 weeks and still get a job back. But anything over 12 weeks, includng an absence for workman's comp,  is not protected. An employer can fire an employee who has taken more than 12 weeks off for a work-related injury. Sad, but true.