McDonald’s, like many big restaurants, has a high turnover of food products. This means typically every day a new supply of food arrives at the restaurant. It may come in individual cartons placed on pallets on a delivery truck or it may be delivered by a small truck where each food carton is unloaded on its own. Every McDonald’s restaurant may have an employee who is delegated the responsibility of unloading the delivery truck every day. It is that person due to the daily repetitive lifting actions who is most likely to suffer from a hernia at some time in his/her working life. A hernia is sometimes barely noticeable, while at other times it can be serious and surgery is required. McDonald’s should have worker’s compensation for most of its employers and as it is a no fault insurance most workers who develop a hernia should be covered. It is typically advisable to consult a worker’s comp. attorney when filing a WC claim. How Hernias can Occur at Work and Treatment Options Constant heavy lifting can cause a hernia to occur in the abdominal area. It is when one of the victim’s organs is pushed out from between the tissue and muscle that typically keeps it in the right place. A typical hernia is when part of the intestine emerges through the abdominal wall which has lost its strength. Sometimes it is possible for the victim to lever the affected part of the intestine back into its place. When this cannot be done, the pain can come become prolonged and intense, even leading to vomiting. At this stage medical treatment and even surgery may be required to correct the problem. Filing a WC Claim for a Hernia Against Macdonald’s When filing a worker’s compensation claim, the process can only begin if your Macdonald’s supervisor has been informed within 24 hours of you leaving work for treatment. When you are compiling the claim you need to provide proof that the hernia is due to your job and not some other reason like being overweight. You doctor will be responsible for making that decision. As long as the cause is due to your job, the next step is filing the claim. You have to do this within the statute of limitations set by your state, which is typically 2 or 3 years. Before your treatment commences you need to check with McDonald’s insurer that you can use your own physician and chosen medical facility. Sometimes employers allocate their own medical professionals to treat their employees. If the insurer agrees with your WC claim you should be provided with the full cost of your medical treatment and 2/3rds of your weekly earnings. A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You with Your Claim Your workers’ compensation attorney may be your best resource when filing a WC claim with McDonald’s because s/he may ensure all the details are correct and if your claim is denied an appeal can be lodged without delay. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation today to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website. *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 McDonald’s, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Appeal a Denied McDonald’s Workers’ Comp Claim Do I Need A Lawyer If I Am Hurt Working at McDonald’s*?
