Were you recently injured while working at Albertsons? While it may seem that the responsibility for your injury is on you, this may not be the case. The workers’ compensation program, which was founded in 1916, helps all qualifying employees receive financial support for their work injuries. Continue below to learn more about Albertsons, potentially qualifying situations, and what you will need before starting your official workers’ comp request letter. Company Profile: Albertsons On July 21st, 1939, Joe Albertson opened the doors to his very first grocery store in Boise, Idaho. The store was received with monumental praise, and by 1964, Albertsons (then “Albertson’s”) opened it’s 100th store in the northwest. After decades of massive expansion throughout the country, Albertsons is now the second-largest supermarket chain in the United States, with 2,200 stores and almost 250,000 employees. Potential Hazards While Working at Albertsons Supermarkets can be shockingly full of hazards if one is not careful. Even with proper safety measures, there are a variety of potential accidents in an Albertsons caused by: Falling product: Albertsons are typically quite large, which means that a majority of waiting restocking product remains stored in the back with various other boxes and supplies. Reaching these products can be both a hassle and a hazard, especially when one wrong bump can send a stack of heavy supplies tumbling. Slip and falls. Between the variety of spilled liquids and dropped produce that supermarkets are prone too, supermarket floors are a danger in and of themselves. While frequent cleaning is a necessity, even proper signs and careful drying can not prevent the occasional slip-up. Gradual injuries. Regardless of your specific title, Albertsons employees are typically required to sit, stand, push, pull, and lift products for long periods throughout the day. If done too often or improperly, these tasks can wear on the body and eventually lead to more permanent damage. After a work injury, your first step towards financial support from Albertsons will be to write a workers’ comp request letter to their insurance. Before you do so, be sure you have the following information at hand: A detailed account of what happened before and during the incident, written by you Any witness accounts from other employees who were present for the incident Pictures of any visible injuries, as well as pictures of the site the incident occurred (as close to how it was when the events took place) Any medical bills or hospital records to show how much your injury has cost you. Once you are ready, you can follow the workers’ comp letter template and take your first steps towards getting the benefits you need. How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim If you are injured while on the job at Albertsons, you are eligible to pursue a claim for workers’ compensation claim. Most employers across the country, including Albertsons, must provide workers’ comp insurance for their workers. If you have been hurt while on the job, or if you suffer an occupational illness, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits include medical benefits that cover the costs associated with your medical care. You may be required to see a physician that is included in the network for your employer’s workers’ compensation plan. That list of approved providers should be available in your workplace. If you don’t see a list, you should ask your manager or supervisor to see a copy. Anytime there is an accident at work, it should be reported to management. You have anywhere from 3 days to a year after the incident to report it depending on your state laws. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to pursue a claim for workers’ compensation benefits from Albertsons. Some states require notification to be made in writing while others allow verbal notification. You should document when notification was made and keep proof that the appropriate notification was made. If you were hurt working at Albertsons, establish medical care right away. If you delay care, you may find it hard to prove that your injuries were directly caused by the workplace accident. You will need to maintain supporting evidence and documentation for your claim. Be sure to jot down the details of your Albertsons accident while it is fresh in your memory and you can recollect everything that took place. The employer’s accident report will require detail, not just a general statement like “I fell and hurt my back.” Steps for Filing an Albertsons Workers’ Compensation Claim You will need to make sure you follow protocol to get your workers’ compensation claim filed properly and timely. Here is a rundown of the actions you should take. Notify your employer of the incident. Establish medical care. Keep copies of medical bills, medical records, prescription receipts, and so forth. Maintain documentation of missed work and lost wages as well as copies of medical excuses. Use surveillance video footage and witness statements to support your claim. When you file your claim, include any future medical care and future loss of earnings that your workplace injury could require. Many legitimate workers’ compensation claims are denied, and appeals must be filed. The more supporting evidence and documentation that you can provide for your claim, the more likely you are to be approved for workers’ compensation benefits. How You Could Be Injured at Albertsons Every job at Albertsons has its risks. Regardless of safety protocol and your abilities, you could still be injured in a workplace accident. There are dozens of ways you could be hurt while you are on the job at Albertsons. As an example, you were helping to stock and you suffered a herniated disc while lifting heavy boxes of merchandise. As a cashier, you suffered repetitive trauma to your wrist. You have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel that requires surgery and you will have an extended time away from work. Workers’ compensation provided medical care and will pay for your time off work. These are just two ways you could suffer injuries while working at Albertsons. Potential Settlement for an Albertsons Workers’ Compensation Claim If you have suffered an injury while on the job at Albertsons, you are wondering the value of your workers’ compensation claim. Your claim will cover your medical expenses and will pay two-thirds of your lost wages. Past and future medical expenses and past and future lost earnings will be included in that total. Of course, that figure is going to add up to more if you have more serious injuries. If you suffered a herniated disc or some other back injury that requires surgical intervention, long-term physical therapy and extended time off work, you will get a larger settlement than if you suffered a broken hand that did not require surgery and that only required 4 weeks off the job. There are several things that can affect your settlement process as well. The more supporting evidence and documentation that you have for your claim, the more likely you are to get your claim resolved satisfactorily and quickly. If you lack evidence, and your claim is denied, then the settlement process will drag out longer. A workers’ compensation lawyer will help you with your claim. Considering a Workers’ Comp Attorney While many people qualify for workers’ comp each year, the process of getting it can be a little intimidating. If this is the case for you, consider speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney before you begin your letter. They will be happy to answer questions about the process, help you analyze your situation, and determine what the best next steps will be for you and your case. Should your initial workers’ comp request not work, attorneys can also assist you when taking further legal action and help build you the strong case you need. Consider a free consultation with an attorney near you to get the best chance at receiving workers' compensation as you heal from your work injury. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Albertson's, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
