That last sentence is not based in the reality of a litigious society. Often companies do a cost analysis, and if the figures show taht payoff is less than it would cost to bring it to court and pay lawyers, etc. will simply pay the claimant to get it over with and save cash.
Back in the late 70's; I was working for an Electronics firm and had some car trouble, on a Monday while going to work.
We had a policy that said we needed to make contact, for something like this, at least every 3 days.
I called, told them the problem, and explained that as soon as I got towed home and found out what was wrong, that I would call and let them know what was happening.
Didn't get towed home, until later that day. Tore the transmission out and discovered that my clutch plate had disintergrated.
Called them back on Wednesday, told them that I was going to have to find someone who carried the part I needed (for a 1963 Corvair van) and that I would pick up my check on Friday, buy the part, I would put it in over the weekend and be back on the following Monday.
They wanted to know what to do with the time I was missing, for the week, and I told them to take it off of my Vacation time; because I had 6 weeks saved up.
Went in on Friday and was told that I was being terminated, for not contacting them (per policy).
Explained that I had called them on Monday, again on Wednesday, and that it was now Friday.
HR guy said "Well, I still have the termination papers here in front of me".
I stood up, told him to kiss my ass, went and got all my tools, and left.
I started work, closer to home, that next Wednesday.
Two weeks later, I got a check for a really large amount and when I finally figured it all out; it added up that not only did they pay me for the week that I missed, but I also got my 6 weeks of vacation time, and 12 weeks of severence pay.
I found out later; that the supervisor who initiated the termination papers had always had a problem with me and the company basically paid me off, because they were afraid of a massive wrongfull termination lawsuit.
I could have followed through; but I figured it was Karma, it worked really good for me, and I wasn't going to lower myself to the standards of the supervisor in question.
I also found out that he got fired, 2 months later.
Karma is Good.