Day in and day out you do your best to do your job in a way that is safe. Yet, we all know that we can’t protect against every accident or sickness. So, what would you do if you got hurt on your job? Have you set aside any money to pay your monthly expenses while you recover? Sadly, the answer is no for many people. There is a safety net. Workers’ compensation insurance is required by law in every state for most employers. If you are hurt or sick because of your job, you can file a workers’ comp claim and get help with part of your lost wages and your medical expenses. This legal right of workers can help those who are sick or hurt get better without worrying so much about their financial state. Business Profile: 3M Co. 3M Co., is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. They make a large variety of goods on their production lines. They make Post-it notes, tape, pads to help you scrub your dishes, Ace bandages, and insulation. They offer a wide variety of employment opportunities such as multi-craft mechanics, electric system controls technicians, and production operators. Employees of 3M Face Risk Every Day Employees of 3M face risk each and every day that they are at work. Of course, their risks largely depend on what they do in their positions. Here are a few ways that employees may get injured: Mutli-craft mechanics are at risk for both severe and minor injuries and illnesses. Being exposed to chemicals and things like asbestos can cause severe illnesses like mesothelioma. Malfunctioning equipment, such as hydraulic lifts or tools, can fail causing serious bodily injury or even death. Electric system controls technicians face electrical burns, severe injury, and even death every time they do their job. Production operators can develop breathing problems from the numerous chemicals and materials they are exposed to every day. Moving heavy products on their own can cause severe back injuries. Repeating the same small hand movements or completing the same movements, such as bending over, for long periods of time can cause repetitive stress injury. What to Do If You Are Hurt on the Job at 3M If you’re hurt or if you are sick from your work at 3M, you should file a workers’ comp claim. Visit the Human Resources office to get started. You should also do these four things to help protect your legal right to recovery: If you’re hurt or sick, stop what you are doing and tell your supervisor. Don’t wait until you are finished with your job. If you’ve been electrocuted, immediately call 911. If you’ve slipped because of an oil or other leak from a vehicle you are working on, it’s important to tell your manager so that the spill can be dealt with and others can be protected from it. Document what happened in an accident report. If you’re facing a medical emergency, such as electrocution or broken bones, call 911. The responding officer will write a report. You can get a copy from the police station. You are entitled to get the medical care that you need. Get medical care right away if you have an emergency or if you’ve hit your head or hurt your neck or back. Sometimes we may not feel like we’re seriously hurt, and so we continue to work. Yet, doing this can make your injuries much, much worse. You have the option to use the doctor on the workers’ comp policy without an out of pocket cost to you or you can visit your own doctor. If you pay anything out of pocket, keep your receipts so that you can be paid back for those expenses. Make an appointment with a workers’ comp attorney. Insurance companies are businesses. Businesses want to make a profit. The workers’ comp adjustor will try to pay you as little as possible. Don’t sign anything without talking to an attorney or you could sign away your rights. Protect Your Legal Rights If you’ve been hurt or made sick from your work at 3M, you have legal rights. You are entitled to keep your position. If you are unable to do so because of a permanent injury or illness, you still have legal options. Make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve and that you are treated fairly by 3M. Contact a qualified workers’ comp attorney. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against 3M, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
