If you work for a supermarket, you may live like most other Americans: paycheck to paycheck. So, what would you do if you were hurt on the job and couldn’t work? Most people don’t have a significant amount of money put away to help pay for unexpected medical costs. How would you pay your rent or buy groceries? Getting hurt on the job is never really planned for, but it can totally devastate your life. Workers’ Compensation Can Help Employees who are hurt on the job have the option of filing a workers’ compensation claim with their employer. There is a law in every state that says most employers must have workers’ compensation policies to protect their employees. There is no cost to employees if they need to file a claim. If you’re hurt on the job and file a claim, you may receive many helpful benefits including: Help with medical care – This is one the best known workers’ compensation benefits. If you choose to file a claim, you can get assistance with your medical expenses. This can include visits to the doctor, surgery, prescriptions, and even physical or occupational therapy. Lost wages – If can’t work either temporarily or permanently as a result of your injury, you may qualify to receive some of your lost wages when you file a workers’ compensation claim. Job training – If you won’t be able to ever return to your line of work, you may qualify to receive job training There are other benefits and damages associated with workers’ compensation. Although it is designed to act as a safety net, you will not receive any benefits unless you first choose to file a claim. Company Profile: Dillons Food Stores Dillons Food Stores is part of the Kroger family of supermarkets. They are headquartered in Hutchinson, Kansas. There are 93 stores and they have 12,000 employees. Some locations even have attached gas stations. Risks of Working at Dillons Food Stores Working for Dillons Food Stores has risks. Your risk of injury will largely depend on your assigned duties. Some of the most common risks of working at Dillons Food Stores include: Gas attendants – If you work around gasoline, you have several risks. Gas is flammable. A smoking co-worker or customer can cause an explosion or a fire. Spilled gas is also slick. You could slip and fall. Gasoline can also burn your skin. Slip and fall hazards – All employees are at risk of a slip and fall inside of Dillons Food Stores. Broken jars of sauce, eggs, flour, and leaking containers can make floors hazardous. A slip and fall can cause you to hit your head. Stockers and warehouse employees – Constantly moving heavy boxes of goods puts you at risk for pulling muscles, slipped discs, and repetitive stress injury. If you operate a pallet jack or a forklift, a malfunctioning machine can cause severe injury or even death. Using a box cutter can also cause a serious cut. Cashiers – Cashiers are at risk of stress injuries to their knees, back, neck, hands, and wrists. Although repetitive stress injuries may not sound like a big deal, they can stop you from working and leave you in a tremendous amount of pain. You Have Workers' Compensation Rights If you are hurt during your shift at Dillons Food Stores, you have rights. Talk with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to get help with your claim and learn about your legal rights. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Dillons, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
