Many people enjoy the idea of working for a locally owned and operated supermarket. Sometimes it just feels good to feel like what you do for your employer directly impacts a local business. Yet, like most workers, you may be living paycheck to paycheck. What would you do if you were hurt on the job? Do you have enough money put away to pay for unexpected medical bills or your rent? Getting hurt on the job can become a financial nightmare. Workers’ Compensation Helps Injured Workers If you’re hurt during your shift at Owen’s Market, you can choose to file a workers’ compensation claim. All states have a law that requires most employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees. If you are hurt, there is no cost for you to file a claim. To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you must file a claim. The best known benefits of workers’ compensation include: Payment of lost wages: If you are unable to work, temporarily or permanently, because of your on the job injury, you may qualify to receive a portion of your lost wages. Help with medical expenses: This is the best known benefit of workers’ compensation. Filing a claim with workers’ compensation can get you the help that you need with medical expenses including doctors’ visits, surgery, prescriptions, and even physical therapy. You can get this help even if you don’t have health insurance. Occupational training – If you will not be able to return to your original occupation, you may qualify to receive occupational training to re-enter the job market in a new career. Those aren’t the only workers’ compensation benefits available. However, remember that you must file a claim if you need to access any of the benefits. Company Profile: Owen’s Market Owen’s Market is a small chain of grocery stores in northern Indiana. It is owned by the Kroger family of stores. There are only five locations. Owen’s Market is headquartered as The Kroger Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Potential Risks at Owen’s Market Working in any grocery store has risks and Owen’s Market is no exception. While no one goes to work with the expectation of being hurt on the job, it does happen. Here are some of the most common risks: Stockers and warehouse workers: Moving heavy boxes of goods puts you at risk for pulling muscles, slipped discs, and repetitive stress injury. Operating a fork lift or a pallet jack can cause an injury if the machine malfunctions. Using box cutters can result in a severe cut. Deep cuts need emergency medical attention. Cashiers: Cashiers spend time arranging their work area, keeping it clean, and ringing up purchases. Performing the same small movements for long periods of time can cause repetitive stress injury. This condition may not seem as serious as other injuries, but it is extremely painful. Butchers: Knives, meat slicers, and grinders can be dangerous. Cuts can be deep and extremely serious. Blood or water on the floor can also become a slipping hazard. A slip and fall can cause devastating injuries. Questions about Workers’ Compensation? If you’re hurt on the job at Owen’s Market, you may have questions about your rights as an injured worker. A qualified workers’ compensation attorney can help answer your questions and help you ensure that you’re getting the benefits that you deserve for your injury. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Owen's Market or Kroger, you may not be entitled to compensation.
