His “major crime” being, applying for worker’s comp.
Yep.
While there are people who abuse it, worker's comp is there for a reason. People do get hurt on the job and it is their employers duty to make them whole. A number of years ago I was injured while working at a gas station. Two doctors told me I would need surgery to repair the damage. The company doctor disagreed. They naturally went with the opinion of the company doctor and covered only my visit to the ER. I should have gotten a lawyer and fought it but I was young, poor and certain I would heal eventually. Let's just say that I didn't. A few years later I had to bite the bullet and get the surgery done.
By that time it was way to late to file a claim.