Did you suffer injuries working at Kroger? If that is the case, you are eligible to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. All across the United States, most employers are required to maintain workers' compensation coverage to protect their employees in the event of a work-related injury or illness. While each state sets its own laws regarding workers' compensation, the program includes medical benefits and covers a portion of lost wages while the injured worker is recovering from the accident. Gathering Documentation To Support A Workers' Compensation Claim As an example scenario, you were working at Kroger in the deli when you suffered a serious cut that damaged a tendon while you were slicing meat. You will need to preserve all evidence and documentation to support your claim for workers' compensation benefits. Here are some of the documents you should gather. Gather all medical records including the reports from any ER visit, follow-up physician visits, physical therapy reports, prescription records, and orders for medical devices such as bandages, splints, or slings. Get written statements from any witnesses to the accident. Ask them to provide details about what happened and how it happened. When they finish the statement, it should be signed and contact details should be included. They should be as precise and detailed as possible. Prepare your own written statement about the accident and your injury. Give details about what you were doing, how the accident happened, who was working with you, any equipment being used, and any medical care received. Discuss your injury in detail and talk about any future medical care. Take photos of any injuries that are visible, such as cuts or bruises. You can even use your smartphone to do this. Maintain documentation that shows any missed work and lost wages. This documentation is necessary to support your claim for lost wages. Preparing For Deposition You may be required to give a deposition during the workers' comp claims process. During a deposition, you should stay calm and act professionally. Your employer's attorneys will question you in detail about your background, your job duties, the work accident, your injuries suffered in the accident, and any medical care that you have received and will receive. You should always answer any questions honestly. The deposition is an important part of the claims process, so your workers' compensation attorney can help you prepare for this. Consult With A Workers' Compensation Attorney Because of the complexity of workers' compensation claims, you should consult with an experienced workers' compensation attorney before filing a claim for benefits from Kroger. Your attorney will help establish the timeline of events and will aggressively pursue all the benefits that you are entitled to receive after a work accident. Because workers' comp lawyers work on a contingency basis, you have nothing to lose. Schedule a free case evaluation today. A statute of limitations does apply, so if you wait too long you will miss your chance to claim benefits. Additional Resources How Much is a Kroger Claim Worth? Were You Injured at Kroger? Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Kroger, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
