Many people are employed by supermarkets throughout the United States. With flexible schedules and the opportunity to different skills, it’s easy to see why. Yet, it can be difficult because many employees live paycheck to paycheck. What would you do if you were hurt on the job and couldn’t work? How would you pay your monthly bills? Could you continue to pay your health insurance premiums? An on-the-job injury can be financially devastating. How Workers’ Compensation Can Help If you’re hurt on the job, you have the option of filing a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. Every state has a law on the books that mandates most employers to carry workers’ compensation. If you are hurt on the job, you can file a claim without any cost to you. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is the only way that you can receive benefits. The benefits that may be available to you will depend on your injury. You may receive several benefits including: Help with medical expenses. This is one of the most common benefits of workers’ compensation. If you file a claim after you are hurt on the job, you can get help with medical expenses associated with your injury. This can include doctors’ visits, surgery, prescriptions, and even physical therapy. Help with lost wages. If you are unable to work either temporarily or permanently as a result of your on-the-job injury, you may qualify to receive a portion of your lost wages when you file your workers’ compensation claim. Occupational training. If your injury is so severe that you will not be able to return to your previous line of work, you may qualify to receive occupational training. There are other benefits available, but to receive any benefits you must file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer. Company Profile: City Market City Market is a supermarket chain. It is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. City Market is part of the Kroger family of grocery stores. It has locations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. There are 38 current locations. Risks of Working at City Market Like working at any grocery store, working at City Market poses risks. No one goes to work with the intention of being hurt on the job. When it happens, it can be scary. Here are some of the most common risks faced by City Market employees: Slip and fall. All employees of City Market are at risk of slip and fall. Broken jars of sauce, broken eggs, and leaking containers make floors slick. A slip and fall can cause you to break a bone or even suffer from a head injury. Stockers and warehouse workers. Moving heavy boxes of goods puts you at risk for pulling muscles, slipped discs, and repetitive stress injury. Operating a fork lift or a pallet jack can cause an injury if the machine malfunctions. Using box cutters can result in a severe cut. Deep cuts need emergency medical attention. Butchers and deli employees. Using ovens, knives, meat slicers, and grinders can be dangerous. You can suffer from a burn or a cut. Minor wounds may need little treatment, but severe burns or deep cuts will require emergency care. Cashiers. Cashiers perform the same small movements for long periods of time. You could develop repetitive stress injury. Although the above list isn’t all inclusive, it does show you different ways that you may get hurt during your shift at City Market. Your risks may be different depending on your responsibilities. Hurt on the Job? Learn More about Your Rights If you’re hurt on the job, it is important that you understand that you have legal rights. Make the time to talk with a workers’ compensation attorney to learn about your rights under workers’ compensation law. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against City Market, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
