If you are an employee of Costco or any other store, you could suffer an injury while you are on the job. When you are working, you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Regardless of your job duties, you can suffer an injury while you are working. All jobs, even when proper protocol is followed, can be dangerous. Workers’ compensation provides what is considered no-fault coverage, so even if you are partially to blame for the accident, you are still covered by the workers’ comp coverage. While workers’ compensation laws do vary from one state to another, the coverage offered by workers’ compensation insurance is rather consistent. Workers’ compensation includes medical benefits and it covers about two-thirds of your lost wages while you are unable to work. However, you must file your workers’ compensation claim before time runs out, and you should maintain thorough evidence and documentation to support your workers’ compensation claim. You will need the workers’ compensation benefits while you are recovering. Did you suffer an injury while you were working your shift ? If so, you may be eligible to apply for workers’ comp benefits. Workers’ comp is a kind of insurance that the majority of U.S. employers are required to have to protect their employees while they are on the job. Workers’ comp offers medical benefits and helps with a portion of wages that are lost while you are out of work to recover. Because of the complexity of workers’ compensation and the challenges faced while filing and negotiating a claim, a workers’ comp attorney is very beneficial in helping with the process while you focus on recovering. Injured While at Work? Were you working your shift at Costco or any other company when you fell from a ladder and hit your head suffering a concussion and a back injury? If so, your medical expenses can add up quickly and you will be out of work for a while. You may be eligible to file a workers’ comp claim for your injury so you can recover your medical expenses and some of your lost wages. Notify a supervisor right away if you are hurt while on the job. Toxic Substances – If you were working in the warehouse when you experienced burns from leaking battery acid you will require ongoing medical care as you recover. This injury may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits to help you recoup lost wages and medical bills. Broken Bones – Warehouse workers can be subjected to heavy boxes and heavy pallet loads of products. If you are hit by falling boxes or a pallet of goods runs over your foot, you can suffer broken bones that will leave you hurting and unable to work for quite some time. Cuts – If you were opening a box and the box cutter slipped gashing your hand, you may require a lengthy recovery. You could damage tendons and ligaments with deep lacerations. What To Do When You Are Injured If you are injured while on the job, you need to follow proper procedure to protect your rights and to pursue a workers’ compensation claim against Costco or any other company. As an example, you were working your shift in the warehouse. As you were helping unload trucks, a pallet jack filled with heavy pallets of canned foods ran across your foot. Your foot was crushed, and the pain was unbearable. A co-worker saw what happened, so you will need them to provide a detailed statement as a witness. You should establish medical care right away. If the injuries are serious, ask for an ambulance to be called. Otherwise, still seek treatment on the same day as the accident. If you are physically able to do so, get photos of the accident scene. When you seek medical care, you will need to choose a provider that is in the network for Costco’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you don’t see a posted list of providers, be sure to ask your manager. There is a possibility that your accident could have been caught on surveillance video, which could be very helpful to your case. Be sure to gather supporting evidence. Keep copies of all your medical bills and medical records. Be sure to document your missed work and lost wages. Make copies of medical excuses provided by the treating physician that says you are unable to work or that you must work shortened shifts or light duty. You should notify your employer about the injury as quickly as you can. There is a strict statute of limitations for pursuing a claim, and you have limited time to notify your employer. Your employer must complete an accident report, so be as detailed as possible in your description of the incident. Also, be sure to tell your manager of any witnesses to the accident. They will need to talk with the witnesses and include their statements in the report. You will need to get a copy of the accident report for your own records. If your injuries are serious, an ambulance will be called. Or, if you were a truck driver involved in a crash, police will be called. If an incident report is completed by law enforcement, you will need a copy of that report to support your claim as well. Always keep any documents pertaining to your workplace accident and the medical care that you receive for your injuries. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have been injured in an accident while you are on the job at Costco, you should enlist the help of a workplace injury lawyer who handles workers’ compensation claims in your state. An attorney will investigate your accident, gather supporting evidence and documentation, and determine the best way to proceed with your claim. Many workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency basis, and in that case, your attorney will not be paid until you win your claim. There is a statute of limitations for pursuing a claim, and that varies from one state to another. If you wait until the deadline has passed, you will not be able to get a settlement. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form so your case details can be reviewed, and it can be determined the best way for you to proceed. Don’t delay pursuing a workers’ compensation claim against Costco for your injuries suffered in a workplace accident.
