If you are an employee of Domino’s or a similar fast food company, you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance while you are on the job. All jobs have their risks, so you could be injured while performing any task. If you were injured while working at Domino’s, you should notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible. An accident report must be completed, and this report is essential to your workers’ compensation claim. When a workplace injury occurs, you should do everything that you can to preserve evidence. There is a possibility that a surveillance camera may have caught the entire incident on video. If that is the case, that can be used to support your claim. If you are physically able to get photos of the accident scene and to show why you were injured and how you were injured, that can be beneficial. While the incident is still fresh in your memory, you should jot down notes and be as specific as possible. You will want to make sure that you tell exactly what you were doing, why you were doing it, how you were injured, the extent of your injuries, and who was with you and who may have seen the accident. You should establish medical care right away. It is important to establish treatment so your injuries can be tied to the workplace accident. Delaying care can make it more difficult to prove that you were injured while on the job. You should see a physician that is on the approved workers’ compensation list available from your employer. Failure to see an in-network provider could lead to you having to cover the cost of your own medical care. Maintain copies of medical records, medical bills, and medical excuses. Be sure to adhere to physician’s orders. Also document any missed work and lost wages. Workers’ compensation should cover about two-thirds of your lost wages, and that will help your family’s finances during this difficult time. A Safety Net for Injured Employees Workers’ compensation policies are put into place as a safety net to protect employees from experiencing financial devastation that often comes with on the job injuries. Each state has a law that requires most employers to have workers’ compensation. Employees who are permanently or temporarily disabled may be eligible to receive a portion of their pay. Workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical expenses, hospital stays, specialists, medications, and other required care. If you are hurt during your shift, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. What Risks Do You Face as an Employee? Delivery drivers face the risk of automobile accidents on a daily basis. Car accidents can include closed head injuries, burns, broken bones, and other severe injuries such as paralysis and even death. Vehicle damage can leave an employee unable to work or without transportation. Employees who prep vegetables or cook chicken wings are at risk for cuts and burns from deep fryers. Although cuts and burns can be minor, they can also be severe or quickly become infected. An Example Scenario You work as a delivery driver and you were going out to deliver pizza. As you were traveling through town, a pickup truck ran a red light. You crashed right into the side of the vehicle. Your airbags deployed and you were wearing your seatbelt. You suffered bruises and cuts to your face, a broken left arm, and a back injury. You were transported to the local hospital by an ambulance. You will require back surgery, and you will miss at least 4 months of work. Another scenario involves a pizza baker in the kitchen area. You were putting a pizza in the oven when you slipped and fell because of spilled sauce in the floor. When you fell, your right ankle twisted and popped. The injury damaged ligaments in your leg, and you will need physical therapy. If the injury doesn’t heal by the time you finish the sessions of physical therapy, you may require surgery to repair the ligament. You should maintain documentation to support your claim and be sure that future losses are also considered when negotiating a settlement with the company’s workers’ compensation insurer. Regardless of how you were injured on the job, be sure to report it to your employer right away. They will need to complete their own accident report, which is essential to the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim. They will also investigate the accident. The more supporting documentation and evidence you have, the more likely you are to prove your case. Be sure to maintain detailed records about your case. Also, tell your employer about any witnesses that were there when your accident took place. Your manager or supervisor will want to speak with them and include their statements in the accident report. You should get a copy of the accident report for your own reference as well. The accident report is needed to pursue a workers’ compensation claim against a fast food company. Gathering Evidence For A Workers’ Compensation Claim If you have been in a workplace accident at Domino’s or any other restaurant, you should maintain supporting evidence and documentation. As an example, if you were in a car crash as a delivery driver, you will need to get a copy of the accident report completed by the police, a copy of your work schedule or proof that you were making deliveries, photos of the injuries and damages, medical bills, medical records, witness statements, and proof of missed work and lost wages. If you were injured working the kitchen, you will need witness statements, any photos or surveillance videos, copies of medical bills and medical records, proof of missed work and lost wages. The more documentation that you can provide to support your claim, the better off you will be with proving that your injuries were a direct result of the workplace accident. Workers’ compensation insurance includes medical benefits that cover the cost of your medical care for your workplace injury, and it covers about two-thirds of your lost wages while you are unable to work as you recover from the injuries suffered in the on-the-job injury. This can have a major impact on your family’s finances as you are healing from your injury. What to Do If You Are Injured If you are injured during your shift, stop working. Continuing to work while injured can come with devastating consequences. Minor injuries can be irritated or worsen by continuing to work. Let your manager know you’ve been hurt and complete an accident report. However, if you are a delivery driver involved in a car accident, call 911 before you do anything else. If you have a medical emergency, such as a severe burn from a pizza oven, or are involved in car wreck, call 911. A police officer will write a report regarding the incident. You will be provided with a report number and instructions on where to obtain a copy. Contact HR or you Manager to find out what doctors provide medical care at no charge. You have the option of seeing your personal physician. However, you may have out of pocket expenses. Keep any receipts; you may be eligible to be repaid. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have suffered injuries in a workplace accident, you should talk with a workers’ compensation attorney. A workplace injury lawyer who is licensed to handle such claims in your state will be familiar with the state laws and will know the processes involved with pursuing a workers’ compensation claim against Domino’s or any other restaurant. Many workers’ compensation attorneys take cases on a contingency basis, and in that case, the lawyer will not be paid until you win your case and get a settlement. Be sure to discuss your attorney’s compensation when retaining legal representation. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to determine the best way to proceed with your workers’ compensation claim. Don’t wait until it is too late to file a claim to recover worker’s compensation benefits because of your workplace injury. Additional Resources How Much is a Domino's Claim Worth?* Preparing a Domino's Workers' Compensation Claim* Tips For A Domino's Workers Compensation Case *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Domino's or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
