Working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant is much like working at any other fast food establishment: the hours are flexible and it provides a steady stream of income for the people that work there. However, the entry-level pay provided by Chick-fil-A means employees are just a slip-and-fall away from a financial disaster. If you were to be injured on the job at Chick-fil-A, how would you handle it? Are you prepared to deal with the financial strain? How States Protect Injured Workers Nearly every employer is legally obligated by the state in which they conduct business to provide workers’ compensation insurance. This provides a safety cushion for injured employees. In the event that you become injured or sick on the job, workers’ compensation can assist you in obtaining the medical care you need. If a worker couldn’t continue to work in any capacity, workers’ compensation could also help provide at least a portion of the wages lost. Company Profile: Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A is a privately-owned corporation. They serve a variety of chicken-based meals, specializing in sandwiches. There are over 1,950 Chick-fil-A locations in the United States. On the whole, Chick-fil-A employs over 40,000 workers in the United States. The corporate headquarters for Chick-fil-A is located in College Park, Georgia. Risks to Chick-fil-A Employees Chick-fil-A restaurants are much like any other fast food establishment. The days are hectic, with a handful of employees rushing to and fro in a rush to fill out orders. All individuals on the working floor are liable to slip and fall. Those operating cooking equipment can procure severe burns. Injuries caused by wet floors and a variety of cooking equipment (ovens, stoves, deep fryers, etc.) are common risks. Know What to Do If you become injured on the job, it’s a strong possibility that you’ll feel confused. The first step is to stop whatever it is you’re doing at the time. You should not continue to work, as this can cause even the most minor injuries to progress into severe wounds. Immediately inform your supervisor so that the incident can be documented and any faulty equipment, spills, or other hazards can be taken care of before anyone else is put at risk. Should your situation be a medical emergency, do not hesitate to call 911. A police officer will respond and compile an accident report. Make sure you get the report number and get a copy of the police report within a few days of the incident. If your situation is not an emergency, ask your supervisor what you need to do to start your workers’ compensation claim. This will involve completing an accident report. You should promptly schedule an appointment for medical care. It’s important that you ask how you can make this appointment with the doctor listed on your workers’ comp policy. Usually, the appointment is free of charge to those injured on the job. If you choose, you can see your personal physician, but this will likely require you to pay out of your own pocket. How To File A Claim Against Chick-Fil-A If you are an employee of Chick-Fil-A, you can suffer an injury while on the job. Despite the safety protocol and the regulations in place, accidents can and do happen. While you are on the job at Chick-Fil-A, you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a special insurance that is designed to cover workplace injuries and illnesses. It provides no-fault coverage, so even if the worker is partly to blame, it is effective. Workers’ compensation laws do vary from one state to the next, but the benefits are rather consistent. Workers’ compensation includes medical benefits, which cover the cost of any medical care that is needed to treat the injury or illness, and it covers about two-thirds of the worker’s lost wages while he or she is recovering from the workplace condition and is unable to work. In some cases, workers’ compensation may also cover the cost of vocational retraining if the injured worker cannot return to the same job. What To Do If You Are Injured If you are injured while working at Chick-Fil-A, you need to make sure you follow proper procedure so you can file a Chick-Fil-A workers’ compensation claim. As an example, you are a cook at Chick-Fil-A. You were preparing chicken nuggets and fries when you were scalded by hot grease. You suffered second-degree and third-degree burns to your arms and hands. An ambulance was called because your injuries were so serious. You need to get medical care right away. If an ambulance is called, they will take you to the nearest hospital to be stabilized. They may transfer you to a burn treatment center. If you are going by private vehicle, you should make sure you choose a provider that it is in the Chick-Fil-A workers’ compensation network. Usually, there is a list of approved providers posted by a timeclock or in the breakroom. If you don’t see a copy of the approved provider list, then ask your manager or supervisor to give you a copy. You should notify your employer of the accident as quickly as possible. An accident report must be completed. Try to jot down specific details of the incident while it is fresh in your memory. Be sure to tell your manager of any witnesses to the accident because they will need to provide statements. Have someone to get photos of your injuries. There is a possibility that your accident was caught on video by a surveillance camera, and that can be used in support of your claim as evidence. You should maintain supporting documentation and evidence for your workers’ compensation claim against Chick-Fil-A. This means keep copies of medical records, medical bills, medical excuses, and proof of missed work and lost wages. Also, you will need a copy of the accident report and witness statements. Examples of Chick-Fil-A Accidents and Injuries There are many ways that you can suffer an injury while on the job at Chick-Fil-A. You may be working in the restaurant when you slip and fall because of a spilled drink. This can lead to a broken ankle, a back injury, or many other kinds of injuries. You may be driving the catering vehicle to a party to deliver and set up food when you were involved in a crash that left you with neck, back, and head injuries. Kitchen workers can suffer burns from oil and hot water, or they can suffer cuts from slicing up fruits and vegetables. Cleaning staff can suffer chemical burns or allergic reactions from the cleaning supplies used in the restaurant, its play place, and in the restrooms. As an employee working outside to speed up the drive-thru process and take payments, you could suffer injuries when you are struck by a car. Basically, any employee in any role could suffer an injury while on the job. You should establish medical care right away, and always be sure to report the incident to the proper authority figure, whether that is a manager, supervisor, or human resources. The more evidence and documentation you gather, the more likely you are to have a successful claim against Chick-Fil-A for workers’ compensation benefits. Getting Evidence For A Chick-Fil-A Workers’ Compensation Claim You will need evidence to support your workers’ compensation claim against Chick-Fil-A. Your accident report, which is completed by your employer, is the foundation for your claim. Be sure to ask for written statements from all the witnesses to the accident. If you have photos of the accident scene, or if there is a video of the incident caught by a surveillance camera, those can be used as evidence for your claim. You should keep copies of all your medical records, medical bills, and medical excuses. Also, maintain thorough documentation that shows your missed work and lost wages. Chick-Fil-A workers’ compensation should cover the costs of your associated medical treatment and will also cover about two-thirds of your lost wages while you are recovering from the injury. To be paid for your missed work, you must have a medical excuse from your treating physician. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have been injured while on the job at Chick-Fil-A, you should enlist the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer who handles workplace injury claims in your state. Workers’ compensation claims are challenging, and an attorney will work to protect your rights and to pursue your claim. Your employer, Chick-Fil-A, will have legal representation who are fighting for their rights. Most workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means that the attorney will not get paid until you win your case and recover a settlement. You will not have to pay anything out of pocket if you retain an attorney who handles cases on a contingency basis. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your case. That way you can determine the best way to proceed with your claim, so you can make sure it is filed before the deadline runs out. Get Legal Advice As a worker, you have legal rights. In order to protect yourself, you need to seek legal advice. You can learn more about your rights by speaking with 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 Chick-fil-a, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Top Tips For Applying For Workers’ Comp At Chick-Fil-A
