Were you injured while working at 7-Eleven? If so, you might be able to file a claim for 7-Eleven workers’ comp. All over the United States, most employers maintain workers’ comp insurance coverage to protect their workers in case they are hurt while working. Workers’ comp offers medical benefits, which will cover the cost of ongoing medical care pertaining to the work-related injury, and will cover a portion of the worker’s lost wages while he or she is recovering from the injury. If you suffer an injury at work, you should tell a supervisor so an accident report can be completed. Because of the complexity of a workers’ comp claim, you should consult with a workers’ comp attorney to ensure your rights are protected. Company Profile: 7-Eleven An international chain of convenience stores, 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises, and licenses more than 56,600 stores in 18 countries. The chain, which was founded in 1927, was known as Tote’m Stores until being renamed in 1946. The headquarters are in Irving, Texas. The chain had more than 45,000 employees in 2010. The convenient store chain is known for several products, including the Slurpee beverage, Big Gulp beverage cup, coffee, candy, gasoline, dairy products, prepared foods, and its beverage assortment. Were You Injured While Working at 7-Eleven? If you work at 7-Eleven, here are some example hypothetical ways you could be injured while working: You were making coffee when the coffee maker appeared to be clogged. As you worked on fixing the problem, you were scalded by the boiling water. You suffered burns on your hands and forearms. These painful burns will take time to recover from. A 7-Eleven workers’ compensation claim might be able to help you during this time. You suffered a broken arm during a slip-and-fall accident as you walked across the store to check merchandise. This will keep you out of work for 6 to 8 weeks. You might be able to file for 7-Eleven workers’ comp benefits. As you were taking out trash, you slipped and hit your leg against the dumpster causing a hairline fracture and a laceration. Medical bills can mount quickly and you will be out of work for a while. A 7-Eleven workers’ comp claim might help you as you recover. If you are hurt at work, make sure the person completing the accident report gets your detailed account of what happened. Make sure they are also aware of any witnesses as well. Get medical care right away. How To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim If you are an employee of 7-Eleven, you are likely covered by workers’ compensation insurance while you are on the job. Workers’ compensation laws do vary from one state to the next, but the benefits are rather standard. Workers’ compensation includes medical benefits to cover the costs associated with the medical care needed for the work-related injury or occupational illness. In addition, workers’ comp will pay two-thirds of the worker’s lost wages while they are unable to work. In some states, workers’ compensation may cover the cost of vocational retraining if it is necessary for the worker to return to the workforce. When you are injured while on the job, you do need to act promptly and follow a few steps to ensure that you are doing your best to preserve evidence and to gather supporting documentation. You do have rights and protections, so make sure you do everything that you should to protect your rights and preserve your case. Here are few things that you should do to ensure your workers’ compensation claim is on track: Establish medical care right away. Notify your employer of the workplace illness or injury. Maintain evidence, such as medical records, medical bills, proof of missed work and lost wages. Ask witnesses to provide statements. File your claim with your employer or with the proper government agency – depending on your state laws. Enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney How an Injury Could Occur At 7-11 Every job at 7-11 has its own inherent risks. Even if you abide by all safety regulations and adhere to protocol, you could still be hurt while on the job. As an example, you were working in the stockroom when you slipped while standing on the ladder. You fell backward, hitting your head and back on the concrete floor. You suffered a concussion and a herniated disc. You were baking pizzas to be sold at 7-11 and you suffered severe burns on your hands when your hand came into contact with the burners in the oven. You suffered third-degree burns and had to be transported by ambulance to a burn center. While stocking shelves, you were opening a box. The box cutter slipped and cut deep into your hand damaging tendons and ligaments. You will be out of work for months and require ongoing care and physical therapy. Any of these situations could easily occur to a 7-11 worker and would require medical care and time off work. Workers’ compensation benefits can be helpful during this difficult time. Your family depends on your income, and with workers’ compensation benefits, you can make sure your basic living expenses and medical care needs are addressed. Gathering Evidence for a Workers’ Compensation Claim Against 7-11 If you are injured while working at 7-11, you will need to gather supporting evidence and documentation for your workers’ compensation claim against your employer. Your accident in the store may have been caught on surveillance camera. If that is the case, that video footage could be used to support your case and to confirm what happened. Statements from any witnesses, such as customers and coworkers, could be helpful to your claim. That will confirm that you were injured while on the job. You should also maintain medical records, copies of medical excuses, medical bills, prescription records, receipts for medical devices, and anything else that proves you received medical care and treatment for your injuries and that details the extent and severity of your injuries. The more evidence that you can gather, the more likely you are to succeed with your claim. You should also keep proof that you notified your employer and copies of any forms that you complete during the claims process. Your workers’ compensation attorney will want to make sure you have everything in order and will work to gather any missing pieces that a successful 7-11 workers’ compensation claim might require. Potential Settlement for a 7-11 Workers’ Compensation Claim Workers’ compensation claims can vary significantly. The extent and severity of the injuries, the total of the medical bills, the amount of time off work, and if there are permanent disabilities that affect future earnings are some of the things that will come into play when determining the value of your 7-11 workers’ compensation settlement. As an example, if you suffered a broken arm that kept you out of work for 8 weeks and led to $15,000 in medical bills you will not receive as much as an individual who suffered a spinal injury that will render him or her unable to work and earn a living again. Past medical expenses are considered, but any future medical needs should also be included in your claim. As an example, you may need surgery in the future to treat the injury, or more physical therapy should be required. Besides looking at your lost wages, they should take any future loss of earnings, such as reduced income because of a job change or future time off work or the inability to work. Your workers’ compensation attorney will make sure all your losses are figured up so you can be compensated fairly. The Speed of the Process There are several things that could affect the speed of your workers’ compensation claim and it being settled. You don’t want to settle too quickly because you want to confirm the severity of your injuries. You want time to determine the severity of the injuries. The employer may nee additional proof that confirms the injuries were from the work-related accident at 7-11, and your employer and their insurer will want to confirm the details of your injuries and your damages. Sometimes workers’ comp claims are denied, so the help of a workers’ compensation attorney can prove very beneficial. If you were hurt while working at 7-11, you should enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney who handles workplace injury cases in your area. Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have suffered an injury while working at 7-Eleven, make sure you consult with a workers’ comp attorney so you can make sure your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly during the settlement negotiation. The claims process for workers’ comp is very complicated, so you need to make sure you have representation who will stand up for you throughout the filing of the claim to the appeals and even the settlement agreement. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against 7-Eleven, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
