What are Workers’ Comp Benefits? If you were hurt on the job at Chiquita, you may be eligible to file a workers’ comp claim. The majority of U.S. companies offer workers’ comp coverage for their employees while they are on the job. If a worker is hurt on the job or becomes ill because of exposure to a substance, workers’ comp may help them recover the medical costs for treatment and help them with a portion of the wages lost as they heal from the incident. Because these claims are detailed and complicated, an attorney can help negotiate the process and reach a fair settlement with the worker’s comp insurance company. Company Profile: Chiquita Brands Founded in 1870, Chiquita Brands is an American producer and distributor or bananas and other kinds of produce. Using several subsidiary brand names, the company is best known for Chiquita branding and Fresh Express salads. Based in Charlotte, NC, Chiquita’s parent organization is Safra Group. The company currently has about 20,000 employees. The company has been under scrutiny in the past with allegations of environmental irresponsibility which resulted in the company making major reforms in planting and protecting bananas after partnering with Rainforest Alliance. The company suffered a $25 million fine from the U.S. Justice Department in 2007 for having ties to paramilitary groups in Columbia. Allegedly, the company paid terrorist groups in Columbia for protection of its employees in Columbia’s volatile banana harvesting region. Hurt While on the Job at Chiquita? Any position at Chiquita Brands does not come without its risks. The company has fruit harvesters, processors and packagers in the factories, customer service reps and buyers, and several other positions in its locations across the country and around the globe. Workers’ comp, however, only applies to U.S. employees. If you suffer an injury on the job, you should immediately notify your supervisor so an accident report can be completed for your workers’ comp claim. Crushed Bones: The factories where Chiquita products are packaged and sorted use heavy equipment. If this equipment strikes your hand, you could suffer crushed bones that require extensive medical care and involve a lengthy recovery. Back Injury: If you slip and fall in the factory or in the office building, you could suffer a serious back injury that leaves you needing extensive therapy. This kind of injury may make you eligible for a workers’ comp claim against your employer. If you are an employee in Chiquita’s corporate headquarters who tripped over the corner of a rug and sustained injuries that required medical treatment, you may be to file a workers’ comp claim to recoup your medical costs and a portion of your lost wages. Workers’ Comp Attorneys and Your Claim Workers’ comp is a complicated insurance process that involves extensive paperwork and negotiations. A workers’ comp attorney is experienced in handling these processes and can take care of the necessary negotiations while you focus on your recovery and healing. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Chiquita Brands, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
