Brain injuries do not happen at work very often, but when they do, the effect can be devastating. Few workplace injuries can have such a serious effect on the ability to work and live a normal life. Brain injuries at work are most likely to happen as a result of a bad fall from a height, when something heavy falls on your head, or as a result of a vehicle accident. Walmart employees who often have to climb steps to re-stock shelves, those who work in the warehouse and distribution sections, and Walmart truck drivers are most likely to suffer a brain injury as a result of an accident. Any employee who has had a brain injury while at work needs to apply for workers’ compensation as it is possible that you could be off work for an extended period. Talk to a workers’ compensation attorney if you are unsure of the process. Walmart: The World’s Largest Employer Walmart is a very familiar sight across North America, with nearly 12,000 stores in both the U.S. and Canada. Walmart is thought to be the world’s largest corporate employer with 2.3 million employees working in all those stores and distribution centers. Few people know that Walmart’s success has developed from humble beginnings. Sam Walton established his first variety store in Arkansas back in 1945, but by 1962, this expanded into a much larger discount store. The concept of providing the mobile public in the post Second World War boom era with discounted goods of all types, shapes and sizes caught on fast, making Walmart an American icon. The number of stores and supercenters grew almost exponentially, although it has not quite become such an international phenomenon as other U.S. based companies like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. A Brain Injury Will Affect Your Ability to Work Depending on the exact nature of your brain injury, it is likely that you will be unable to return to work in any capacity until the injury has healed or been successfully treated. Some serious brain injuries can mean an inability to return to any meaningful work. Brain surgery is a delicate and highly skilled business and is likely to be very costly. Workers’ compensation will be needed to pay medical bills, possibly for a very long time, as well as compensate for lost earnings. Workers’ Compensation After a Work Related Brain Injury If you have suffered a brain injury while working at Walmart, you may be financially dependent on winning a Walmart workers’ compensation claim. Typically, a successful claim pays two thirds of lost earnings and all related medical costs. Brain injuries can be relatively minor or very serious, possibly leading to an inability to think, coordinate muscle and limb movements, or speak. A workers’ comp. attorney can help ensure that the financial implications of your brain injury are properly assessed so that you are able to survive the period of recovery without worrying how you are going to pay all the normal bills. Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Workers’ compensation claims need to be properly prepared, otherwise they could be denied. This could be tragic if you have a serious workplace related brain injury. A workers’ compensation attorney can discuss the claim process with you so you get all the documentation you need to support the claim. In the event that the claim is denied for some reason, it will be hard to go through the protracted appeals process without experienced legal guidance. Additional Resources What to Do When Injured Working at Walmart I Had a Broken Arm Injury While Working at Walmart! Employers’ Duties and Workers’ Comp *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 Walmart, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
