Starbucks is perhaps the most recognizable coffee chain in the world. Not only has its continued expansion led to the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of employees across the world, but it is also renowned for its corporate social responsibility. For 11 years, the Ethisphere Institute has rated Starbucks as the World’s Most Ethical Company, working to support veterans, reduce the homeless population, and source ingredients only from ethical, sustainable world farms. Thankfully, this mission also includes all of Starbucks’ hardworking employees. If you were recently injured in an accident while working at Starbucks, then you may be entitled to financial assistance through worker’s compensation. Below are the four best tips you can follow when preparing to file your claim. #1) Report your accident to your supervisor. The period after an unexpected accident can be confusing and disorienting. The most important thing to do during this time is to get help. Ask a coworker or manager to help you write up a complete list of what happened to you. Even if all you did was slip on a coffee spill, it is important to be as detailed as possible. This is best to complete as close to your accident as possible. Try to also collect similar statements from coworkers or other witnesses, and take pictures of the accident site. Present this information to your manager, supervisor, or HR division, and they will contact the company that you will be working on filing a claim. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment If you have been injured while at work, however slightly, you should seek medical attention. Your ability to claim workers’ compensation later on may be compromised if you delay seeking treatment as your employer, or more specifically, your employer’s WC insurer, may use the period of delay to deny you compensation. The critical part of any workers’ compensation claim is that you must be able to show that you were injured while at work. WC claim denials are common whenever insurers are in doubt whether a particular injury actually happened while at work. If you are badly injured, it will be likely that you will be taken to the nearest hospital that can deal with your specific injuries. You will be examined and whatever treatment is considered necessary will be performed. It is important to remember to obtain as much documentation as you can of each stage of the treatment you receive. Also note that many WC insurers have agreements with particular medical providers. The actual agreements will depend partly on the insurer and the state in which you work. If there is a real emergency it is unlikely that if you were initially transported to a medical facility that was not a preferred provider would compromise your compensation claim, but it would be sensible to find out as soon as possible. It may be that if you need extensive treatment then you may be transferred over to Starbuck’s insurer’s preferred hospital or medical center later when it is considered safe to do so. If you are less seriously injured and you decide to see a doctor for evaluation first, check to see if there is a preferred doctor on the insurer’s list. The evaluation d report made by the doctor will be important evidence that you will want to submit with your claim when you eventually file it. The report establishes the nature of the injury, how it happened, the seriousness and the medication and treatment recommended. You may need to go back to a doctor more than once and it will be your doctor’s eventual recommendation to return to work that will establish the time period for your workers’ comp. payments. #2) Save your medical bills. Workers’ compensation aims to refund any costs related to an accident caused by your work environment. This can only be done if you have evidence of all costs incurred after your accident. Save receipts for all prescriptions, medical tests, hospitalizations, and check-ups. Also ask your physician to provide notes and give explanations for why all tests and prescriptions were administered. This will help Starbucks’ insurance to not only repay the costs, but understand why they were necessary. #3) Stay in close contact with Starbucks. Unlike many companies, Starbucks has a reputation for working quickly and compassionately when it comes to their few employee injury cases. Speak with HR to get help figuring out what other compensation you may potentially be entitled to under your state’s injury laws. They will work with you to help file these applications as well. Give regular updates to your higher-ups regarding your condition, and be sure to keep records of all updates given to provide in your claim. Keep track of lost working hours to also include these missed wages on your claim. The more vigilant you are, the more likely you will receive the workers’ comp benefits you deserve. File for Workers’ Comp Fast It is always better to start filing a workers’ compensation claim as soon as you can. Each state has its own rules about the time limits for filing a WC claim, usually two or three years after the actual date of the injury. This may seem like a long time, but you are far better off getting your claim in much sooner than the statute of limitations allows. Starbuck’s workers’ compensation insurer will be quick to deny your claim if you have missed the statute of limitations deadline. Another good reason for filing as soon as you can, preferably after you have been to the doctor initially as the main reason for denials by an insurer is that they dispute your claim that the injury happened while at work. Memories tend to fade quite quickly. If you are relying on statements made by people at work, such as any fellow Starbucks workers, or customers who were in the coffee shop when you were injured, the sooner you ask them to make a statement the better. Also, the sooner you file a well presented claim, the sooner the insurer should be able to start making payments in lieu of wages while you are off work. These are calculated at around two thirds of what you should have earned if you had been able to go back to work, depending on the state. The payments should continue until the doctor recommends that you are fit enough to return to work, or until other conditions are satisfied. Just because these payments are accepted, you will also be claiming for the cost of medical treatment later after you have recovered or no longer need treatment. You should make sure you obtain all documentation that establishes what treatment you were receiving and what it has cost throughout. #4) Work with a workers’ compensation attorney. From slips and falls to equipment injuries, workers’ comp attorneys know how to best form a case that will get you proper compensation. They can make sure all of your documents are legally sound, help you communicate with Starbucks after the accident, and potentially negotiate compensation terms both in and out of court. Even better, most workers’ comp attorneys work on contingency, meaning you only pay for their services if their services get you benefits. As a low-risk high-reward resource, workers’ comp attorneys could help you to win an otherwise lengthy or tricky case. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Starbucks, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
