Kroger is the second biggest retailer after Walmart in the country. It operates 38 food processing or manufacturing concerns, 1,537 supermarket fuel outlets, as well as in-store clinics and grocery stores. It employs more than 400,000 workers. Every year, some of Kroger’s employees suffer burn injuries. There are too many hazards to mention, but food processing and manufacturing exposes workers to all sorts of possible burning possibilities. Anything from hot liquids to malfunctioning electrical systems and burning substances like acids and fuel are common hazards. Fortunately, as Kroger is a large enterprise, it will have workers’ compensation insurance to cover workers when they are injured or fall sick as a result of a workplace hazard. This is not always a guarantee, so if you are seeking WC from Kroger you should talk to a worker’s comp. attorney first. The Different Types of Burn Injuries Whatever the reason for you burn injury whether you got it from hot liquids, a red hot stove when involved in food preparation or you were burned from handling a lead acid battery or from an electrical fire. There are different ways burn injuries are classified. They are: 1st-degree burns occur which occur when the epidermis of your skin is damaged which is the outer layer. Even though this can be painful the skin will generally heal without much external help. 2nd-degree burns which can be more serious as the layer of skin beneath the epidermis become damaged. Often, a skin graft is needed to help with the healing process. 3rd degree burns occur when the burn has gone past the two outermost layers and has damaged other parts of the skin like sweat glands and hair follicles. Repair will not take place without skin grafts. The Process for Filing a Workers’ Comp. Claim for Burn Injuries at Kroger As long as you reported your burn injury to your supervisor within 24 hours there should not be any hitch up getting your workers’ compensation. The problem arises when Kroger’s insurer wants proof the injury took place while you were at work. You will need to access photos via the CCTV network and the contact details of anyone who witnessed the burn event. Your physician can also help by writing a report about the nature of the burn injury and the recovery process. As soon as you have all the facts you need to make you eligible for workers’ compensation you need to contact a WC attorney to guide you through the often difficult process. Why You May Need a WC Attorney Not all workers’ compensation claims are successful, especially when an attorney is not present. To be sure you get the workers’ compensation you deserve you should ask an attorney to guide you through the process. Disclaimer The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Kroger, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Involved in a Workplace Accident at Kroger? How Much is a Claim Against Kroger Worth?
