Many people choose to work in a supermarket because of its flexible hours and the opportunity to learn new job skills. However, think about your pay. What would you do if you were unable to work because you got hurt on the job? Could you afford to pay the unexpected medical bills? Hurt on the Job? Workers’ Compensation Can Help Getting hurt during your shift can be extremely scary. You may not be able to work. You may need medical care. Thankfully, each state has a law on the books that mandates most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees. If you’re hurt during your shift, you are eligible to file a claim. There is no charge to do so and filing a claim is the only way that you can receive benefits. Workers’ compensation offers several benefits to people who are hurt. The benefits that you may receive will ultimately depend on the severity of your injury. You could get help with your medical expenses, partial lost wages if you are unable to work, and you may qualify for job training if you will not be able to return to your job. Ask your manager, supervisor, or Human Resources rep for a list of doctors who can treat your injury for free. Company Profile: Stop and Shop Stop and Shop is a chain of grocery stores on the east coast. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Ahold. They are part of a division that includes both Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover. Stop and Shop is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Stop and Shop has 422 stores and they have around 82,000 employees. Everyday Hazards At Stop and Shop Bakery workers: You could easily be burned because of the oven, hot baking pans or even utensils. Liquids or solids, like flour, can easily make you trip, which is a source of serious injuries. Cashiers and stockers: Like bakery workers, there are common slip-and-fall hazards, like spilled liquids on the floor, or even just the products themselves tripping you if they are on the floor. In addition, using a step-ladder to reach the top of the displays can be dangerous if it is unbalanced in any way. Deli and meat counter workers: Because meat and deli counter workers often use sharp knives, saws, and meat cutters, there is the danger of laceration if protective equipment is not used or is not provided. Additionally, cleaning procedures may make the floor wet and slippery. How to File a WC Claim Against Stop and Shop If you have been injured while working in a Stop and Shop store you may be able to claim compensation by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Whatever the nature of the injury, you should see a doctor and have an assessment of your injuries. If treatment is advised, make sure you follow advice and keep copies of any reports, tests and treatment you receive. If you don’t see a doctor, it will be unlikely that you will be able to receive any compensation. There is an established procedure when you wish to seek a workers’ compensation claim. The details vary a little from state to state, so you should make sure you find out what the state specific rules are. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help with advice about statutes of limitation, the evidence you need and how to file your claim. A successful workers’ compensation settlement can pay for unexpected medical costs, replace lost earnings partially and may help to pay for training if you find you are unable to go back to your original job because of the injury. It’s important to let your supervisor know about the injury. The injury should also be recorded in the company accident logbook. In some states, the employer will inform the state workers’ compensation board or equivalent state agency if there is an injury at work. Another important aspect of your workplace injury is that Shop and Stop’s insurer may insist on you seeing a company doctor. Obviously, if you are badly injured and need emergency treatment, you may have to be taken to the nearest available ER. You may then be transferred over to a preferred medical provider acceptable to the insurer. Gathering Evidence for a Workers’ Compensation Claim Although you have a right to make a claim if you are injured while genuinely at work, it really helps to supply evidence that establishes when an injury happened, how it happened, why it happened, and what the consequences were in relation to cost of treatment, time off work etc. The first piece of evidence is to make sure that your employer, most likely through your supervisor, is made aware of the injury and the details of how it happened, etc. This will be vital when the claim is filed. You should also be able to get statements from fellow employees who saw the accident happen. For example, if you fell off a step ladder while filling shelves with store goods, you may have injured an arm or leg and you will certainly be hurt. There will always be someone in the store to help you and provide an eye witness to what happened. Most WC claims are denied because insurers try and claim that your injury didn’t happen while at work, which is why it is so important to supply evidence that it did really happen while you were working at Stop and Shop. The other evidence you will need is a doctor’s assessment or report of your injuries and any documentation that shows what treatment has been supplied and the cost of it. Average WC Settlement WC settlements for an injured Stop and Shop employee vary depending on the nature of the injury and how long the employee has to stay off work because of the injury and treatment. Generally, the two main components of a WC settlement are full reimbursement if medical costs and partial compensation for days off work, typically around two thirds of the average wage that could have been earned while not at work. To give an example, let’s say that a cashier has slipped over while stumbling over a loose piece of flooring. The cashier injures their face, requiring dentistry and a lower arm bone has been fractured. The recovery period while off work amounts to three weeks. The cashier earns on average, $10 an hour at the store. Settlement is calculated as followed: • Cost of immediate emergency treatment including ambulance = $ 200. • Cost of painkillers and antibiotics = $150. • Cost of dentistry = $2,500. • Cost of setting arm, x-rays etc. = $1,800. • 15 days off work at $10 an hour for 120 hours lost = $1,200. • Total settlement = $5,850. Tips for settlement Make sure you collect as much supporting documentation as possible. Keep your claim as accurate as possible. An overstated claim may delay settlement. Help from a workers’ compensation lawyer if you have had a serious injury will probably make it more likely that you get the compensation you deserve. Learn More About Your Rights If you’re hurt during your shift at Stop and Shop, you should consider filing your workers’ compensation claim right away. If you have questions about workers’ compensation or your benefits, take the time to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Stop and Shop or any of its related companies, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Top Tips for Applying for Workers’ Comp at Stop and Shop
