IKEA has one of the highest employee satisfaction ratings of all top 100 global work places. However, this does not mean IKEA is exempt from the unavoidable accidents that any store worker can face while on the job. If you were recently injured while working at IKEA, then you may qualify for financial support through the workers’ compensation program. Continue below to see examples of qualifying injuries and learn how you can get the process started today. IKEA’s History IKEA was founded by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. After decades of expansion and growth while adhering to modern and cost-friendly designs. Ingvar Kamprad is now one of the richest men in the world. IKEA now operates in over 48 countries with a total of 392 stores and an annual revenue of almost $50 billion. It has become so popular that the company is now responsible for 1% of the world’s entire commercial wood use. Potential Hazards of Working at IKEA With stores and product lines so large and diverse, it is no wonder that IKEA stores hold the potential for a variety of accidents. The most common causes of injury at IKEA include: Moving and retrieving product: Especially when it comes to IKEA’s wide selection of large furniture, accidents are always possible. From large moving carts to stacked, heavy boxes, IKEA’s storage rooms are full of hazards when lifting product or retrieving it for customers. Even the ladders themselves bring with them the possibility for danger that is occasionally unavoidable. Trash removal: IKEA produces a great deal more waste and recyclable goods than other stores. Due to the sheer variety and size of products, waste removal is an essential part of IKEA’s working process. However, with the trash trucks, waste bins, and box cutters comes an inherent risk of injury. Cooking areas and recreational rooms: Unlike most stores, IKEA offers store sections for eating, relaxing, and family care. Busy kitchens hold the possibility of bumps or falls. Children’s areas hold the possibility of clutter or trips, even for employees. And, in general, these areas of concentrated people always hold the potential for unknown dangers as well. After your incident, it is very important to compile your information regarding your injury. Start by writing down everything you know about the situation, between the accidents leading to the injury to the actual injury itself. Take pictures both of the IKEA location where the incident occurred and of the injury itself. Ask any coworkers who were present for the event to write down what they saw as well. Be sure to also save all medical documents related to the incident that you can present as evidence. When all this is prepared, you are ready to write your official request for workers’ comp from IKEA. Considering a Workers’ Comp. Attorney Workers' compensation is a wide and varied issue, and can occasionally be confusing or difficult to understand. To make your process as painless as possible, consider speaking with a workers’ comp attorney. Hiring an attorney allows a person with legal experience in this exact field to prepare your request letter, stay in contact with IKEA’s insurance company, and represent you professionally at every step of the way. Before you start your workers’ comp filing process, consider a free consultation with a workers’ comp attorney in your area today. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against IKEA or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
