Driving a forklift in a Lowe’s hardware store is a great job. You are helping people shift heavy products from one place to another, relieving them of the burden. However, there are times when you may be trying to operate the forklift in a tight corner and you get injured. A heavy falling carton or an obstacle falling off a shelf in front of you may cause you to brake suddenly and turn the forklift on its side. If this happens and you are injured you may be entitled to claim workers’ compensation as long as you can prove the injury happened at work. Lowe’s insurers aren’t always eager to honor workers’ comp. claims so it’s in your interest to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney to ensure you get your entitlements. Lowe’s Company Profile Lowe’s opened its doors for the first time in 1978 as a large hardware store in Atlanta, Georgia. As the decades past it expanded to be the country’s 2nd biggest home improvement retailer. It now operates over 2,200 retail enterprises and employees over 300,000 workers. In 2007, it went international, expanding into both Mexico and Canada. Common Injuries Operating a Fork Lift in a Lowe’s Hardware Store The sorts of injuries likely to take place while operating a forklift include: serious internal injuries if the forklift rolls on top of you; traumatic brain injuries when a carton falls on your head; whiplash, when your head is jerked backwards and forwards after a collision. All of these injuries will require immediate medical treatment and time off work to recover. This means you are likely to suffer financial hardship in an accident while operating a forklift at Lowe’s. How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim Lowe’s, like most large US companies, is insured to cover its employees for workers’ compensation. This doesn’t mean the payments come automatically. First, when you get hurt operating a forklift you need to report the incident straightaway to your supervisor. This confirms that the accident and injury happened at work. Next, you should ensure that you take down the names of any witnesses who can confirm that both the accident and injury took place while operating a forklift for Lowe’s. Failing to follow these steps may throw into doubt that the accident ever happened at all. Most insurers will provide the cost of medical treatment, as well as around two thirds of your weekly wage. You May Need Help From a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer If you think Lowe’s insurer isn’t going to release your workers’ compensation entitlement easily, you should contact a workers’ comp. attorney who will work on your behalf to get the compensation you deserve. To get started, fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page. *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 Lowe’s, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Benefits for Injuries Suffered While Operating a Forklift Tips When Applying for Workers’ Compensation at Lowe’s*
