Many people who work for supermarkets may enjoy a flexible schedule, but they also live paycheck to paycheck. Have you managed to put money aside in an emergency fund to pay unexpected medical expenses? Could you pay your rent if you are unable to work? If you get hurt on the job, it can quickly become a living nightmare regardless of whether or not you have health insurance. Workers’ Compensation: A Safety Net for Employees If you’re hurt during your shift at Harris Teeter, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Every state has a law that requires most employers to provide a workers’ compensation policy for their employees. If you file a claim, there is no cost to you to receive benefits. However, if you need the benefits you must file a claim. The benefits you may receive will depend on your injury. You could receive several benefits including: Assistance 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 the medical expenses associated with your injury. This can include doctors’ visits, surgery, prescriptions, and even physical therapy. You can get this help even if you don’t have health insurance. Payment of lost wages - If you can’t 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. Job 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 Harris Teeter. Company Profile: Harris Teeter Harris Teeter is a supermarket chain. They are headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina. There are 230 stores in the United States. They also have five fuel centers. They are owned by Kroger and they have approximately 25,000 employees. Risks from Working at Harris Teeter All jobs carry the risk of being hurt on the job. Your risk will depend a lot on your assigned job duties. Some of the common risks for Harris Teeter employees include: Workers at Harris Teeter Gas Centers – Working around gasoline has serious 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, your eyes, and your throat. It’s also poisonous if it is swallowed. Slip and falls – Regardless of your position at Harris Teeter, you are at risk of a slip and fall. Broken containers of sauce or juice, eggs, flour, or leaking containers make floors slick. Slip and falls can cause severe head injuries or even permanent back injuries. Stockers and warehouse workers – Moving heavy boxes of goods as a regular part of your job duties 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 have a risk of permanent injury 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. Questions about Workers’ Compensation? If you have questions about workers’ compensation or need help after filing a claim with Harris Teeter, contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. This is the best way to learn about your legal rights and to make sure that you are treated fairly. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Harris Teeter, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
