Working in a retail environment that focuses on technology, appliances, music, and video games can be extremely exciting. Most Best Buy employees do what they can to do their job in the safest way possible, but sometimes things happen. What would you do if you got hurt at work? Could you pay your bills each month? Workers’ Compensation for Best Buy Employees Each state has a law in place that requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation. It is something that employers pay for to help protect their employees. If you are hurt or made sick on the job at Best Buy, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation can help employees with their medical expenses and even with a portion of their wages if their injury or illness is a result of working at Best Buy. Special Risks to Best Buy Employees Best Buy has floor retail workers, car stereo and speaker installers, computer techs, and delivery drivers. Each position has its own set of risks. Here are some of the most common risks that Best Buy workers face every day. Retail workers could be hurt by moving appliances or heavy boxes. Injuries to the back, neck, and shoulders aren’t uncommon. Best Buy employees who install car audio equipment face special risks, too. Although they work inside of the vehicles, they may still slip and fall from a vehicle leaking fluid. They could also be electrocuted. Computer techs at Best Buy could be electrocuted from a faulty plug or strip. They also face the risk of repetitive stress syndrome because of the constant use of small screwdrivers and other tools. Best Buy delivery drivers often do more than drive. They load, unload, and install heavy appliances. This puts delivery drivers at risk of car accidents, electrocution, and injuries from lifting and moving the appliances. Gathering Evidence for a Best Buy Workers’ Compensation Claim Best Buy, like most companies in the country, should provide workers’ compensation coverage for its workers. This means if you are hit by a heavy object falling off a warehouse shelf in Best Buy while working as a store assistant and you suffer a serious head injury you should be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation from Best Buy’s insurer. The key to a successful workers’ compensation claim is providing evidence that proves your injury occurred while undertaking workplace duties at Best Buy. Examples of Evidence That Can Be Used in a Best Buy WC Claim Evidence that is acceptable by a Best Buy workers’ comp. insurer could include any of the following: Copy of the report you have completed for your Best Buy supervisor Written eye witness reports from work colleagues; Photographs taken by a Best Buy surveillance camera situated in the workplace; Your physician’s report describing what caused the injury; Photographs taken of the accident site and the injury. Hurt on the Job at Best Buy? Follow These Steps. You must protect your legal rights. These steps can help you do just that. If you’re hurt, let your supervisor know right away. Don’t wait until the end of your shift. If you’ve hit your head, severely injured your back, been involved in an accident, or got electrocuted, call 911. Do not wait to get medical care. Talk to your manager and get the information you need to start your workers’ compensation claim. You’ll also need to fill out an accident report. If you called 911 because of a wreck or emergency medical situation, the police will respond and complete an accident report. Get the report number so that you can get a copy of the report. Get medical attention for your injuries. Some injuries, such as a sprain, may not need emergency care. If you do have a legitimate emergency, go to the emergency room. Talk to your HR rep to file your workers’ comp claim and ask how you can make an appointment with the doctor listed on the policy. This doctor is often free of charge for people that file a workers’ comp claim. You can also see your own doctor. However, you may pay out of pocket for that. Keep any receipts for things that you pay out of pocket for that relate to your injury. You may be reimbursed by workers’ compensation. Speak with a workers’ compensation attorney. The workers’ comp insurance adjustor has one job: to minimize the amount of your claim. The only way that you can protect your legal rights is to understand them. That means getting an advocate on your side. How to File a Claim Against Best Buy When you are injured after being hit by an object like a carton falling off a Best Buy shelf while you were working filling shelves, you should be entitled to receive workers’ comp. to cover the total cost of all your medical treatment and any loss of wages while you are being treated and recovering from the injury. There are a number of steps you need to follow when you are injured to ensure you qualify for workers’ compensation. The first is to get the medical treatment you need as soon as you can. You may need a fellow worker to call an ambulance to take you to the closest medical center for treatment. You need to know in advance whether you can choose the medical center yourself or if you are required to use one arranged by Best Buy. The important thing is to get all your medical treatment paid for through your workers’ compensation claim. As soon as you are undergoing treatment your supervisor needs to be informed about the accident. If your injury prevents you accomplishing this you may have to ask a fellow worker to do this on your behalf. Often this report has to be filed within a certain set period following the accident otherwise you may not be eligible for workers’ compensation. The next phase of your WC claim is completing the claim’s form. Best Buy may hand one to you but if this hasn’t happened you may request one from your state’s workers’ compensation board. Typically, the following information needs to be included on the workers compensation claim form: a description of the type of injury; date, time and location in the Best Buy store the injury took place; the names of anyone else who was near you at the time of the accident; how the injury took place; an outline of the medical treatment you have received to treat the head injury. The final step is the filing of your workers’ compensation claim. You can only begin this process if you have gathered together all the required evidence. All documents that are evidence to back up your WC claim must be included with the claim’s form. Many states set a statute of limitations which limits the time you are given to file a WC claim. If you go over the time limit you may lose your entitlement to workers’ compensation. If the WC claim is successful the settlement should cover the cost of any medical treatment required to treat your injury, about two thirds of your weekly wage, depending on the state where the injury took place, and any out of pocket expenses such as the cost of additional care and help in your home and the cost of transport to visit the medical center for check-ups. If your WC claim is denied, this is often due to the Best Buy WC insurer not believing that your injury took place at work. If this happens you will need help from a WC lawyer to lodge an appeal. Trying to do this on your own has a low chance of success. Call a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Remember, although workers’ compensation is put in place to protect you, the adjustor may not be looking out for your best interest. You shouldn't sign anything without first calling a workers’ compensation 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 Best Buy, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
