Even the most safe-conscious employees can be injured while on the job. If you have been hurt while working at Taco Bell, you might find yourself unable to work for quite some time. Taco Bell, just like most U.S. employers, have workers' compensation insurance to protect their workers. Workers' compensation offers medical benefits and covers a portion of the worker's lost wages as he or she recovers. If you have been hurt at work, you might be eligible to file a claim against Taco Bell for workers' compensation benefits. If you are considering filing a claim, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney who will ensure your rights are protected and approve your chances of being awarded benefits. If you are an employee of Taco Bell, you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance while you are on the job. Workers’ compensation laws are set individually by the states, but most employers across the country are required to maintain the coverage to protect themselves and their employees in the event of a workplace illness or injury. If you have suffered an injury while on the job, you will need to follow proper procedures and maintain evidence to support your claim so you can recover benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits include medical benefits, which cover the costs of your medical care to treat the injury, and, also, covers about two-thirds of your lost wages while you are recovering. In some states, workers’ compensation includes vocational retraining coverage if you are unable to return to the same job and must train for a different position. Here are some tips regarding what to do if you are injured while on the job at Taco Bell. You want to make sure you preserve your rights and gather supporting evidence and documentation for your workers’ compensation claim against Taco Bell after your workplace injury. Company Profile: Taco Bell Founded in 1962 by Glen Bell, Taco Bell serves and sells a variety of Tex-Mex food options including tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, among others. As of today, there are over 7,000 locations worldwide. Of those locations, more than 80 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees. Taco Bell serves 2 billion customers per year. It is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. What To Do If You Are Injured Working At Taco Bell You are working your shift at Taco Bell in the kitchen when you suffered serious burns while frying up the hamburger meat. You received second-degree and third-degree burns on your left hand and wrist. You needed immediate medical care, so a co-worker called 911 so paramedics could arrive and stabilize you because of the severity of the burns. The incident was caught by a surveillance camera in the kitchen area. Two co-workers saw the entire incident. You should establish medical care right away. In this case, the injuries were serious, so you were taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Workers’ compensation will cover the cost of the medical treatment at the local emergency room and will cover the cost of the ambulance transport. If you are being taken by private vehicle, you should see a doctor who is in the network for Taco Bell’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. Usually, this list is posted publicly by a timeclock or in a breakroom. If you don’t see the list, you should ask your manager for a copy so you can ensure you see an approved provider. The state laws regarding the notification timeframe do vary and are dependent on state law. You may have anywhere from a few days to as long as a year after the accident to notify your employer of the workplace injury. Failure to notify your employer in a timely manner can result in your claim being denied. So, it is best to notify a manager or supervisor of the incident as soon as possible. You should jot down a few notes about the accident while it is still fresh in your memory. You will need to provide specific details for the company accident report as well as for your Taco Bell workers’ compensation claim. As an example, you were burned while preparing hamburger meat. You need to be as detailed as possible when explaining the situation. You were working your shift on Tuesday, October 21, at about 1 p.m. when you were frying hamburger meat on the grill. Your left hand slipped and came into contact with the grill. The palm of your hand and the inside of your wrist hit the grill, causing severe burns from the grease and from the grill itself. You were working with two others in the kitchen area – be sure to specify their names – and they helped you get immediate first aid until help arrived. Your co-workers will need to provide detailed statements regarding what they saw and did in relation to the accident. Dangerous Risks Faced By Taco Bell Employees No job is risk-free. Regardless of how safe you are performing your duties, you can still suffer an injury at Taco Bell. Accidents happen daily. Here are some hypothetical examples of how risks faced by employees: All employees of Taco Bell are at risk of a slip and fall. Even if you wear the best nonslip shoes available on the market, you can still slip and fall. When floors are slick from grease, it can be extremely hard to make them safe. The machines that cook the meat also get very hot. They can cause severe burns. Using the grill press for grilled menu items can also result in burns. Cashiers taking orders and money for eat-in and to-go customers and drive-thru cashiers face the same risks as above, but they also face the risk of repetitive stress injury. Taking money and repeating the same small motion over and over can cause you to experience repetitive stress injury. Maintaining Evidence For Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Against Taco Bell When you are injured on the job at Taco Bell, you will need to preserve evidence to support your claim against Taco Bell and to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You will need to keep any medical records, medical bills, and proof of missed work and lost wages. You will also need a copy of the accident report. Photos of the accident scene – if possible – and any surveillance video can also help support your workers’ compensation claim against Taco Bell. Photos of the injuries can also help support your case. Get written statements from any witnesses as well. The more supporting documentation and evidence that you have, the more likely you are to prove your case against Taco Bell. Remember, it is imperative to establish medical care right away so there is a connection between the workplace accident and your specific injuries. Delaying your treatment can make it difficult to prove that your injuries occurred while you were working at Taco Bell. Hurt on the Job at Taco Bell? Follow These Steps These four steps are designed to help you protect your legal rights and start your workers’ compensation claim. If you’re hurt, stop what you’re doing. Tell your supervisor right away: This protects you from further injury and your supervisor could clean up any spilled grease or other risk to protect your coworkers and customers. Talk to your supervising manager to start your workers’ compensation claim: This will include completing an accident report as soon as possible. This will help make sure that you put in all of the details that led up to the accident. -If you call 911 because of a severe burn, a cut, or an injury to your neck, back, or head, the police will respond. -They will provide you with a report number. You can get a copy of the report from the police station at a later date. Make sure that you get medical care: Ask your manager about making an appointment with the doctor listed on the workers’ compensation policy. The workers’ comp doctor is often free for people who are hurt on the job. -You may see your own doctor, but you will likely have to pay out of pocket for that visit. -If you pay out of pocket for anything related to your on the job injury, keep all of your receipts. Workers’ comp may reimburse you. Call a workers’ compensation attorney for a free consultation: This is the best way that you can protect your legal rights related to your workers’ comp claim. For more specific on Workers' Comp while working for Taco Bell, please see our pages: Top Tips for Getting Workers’ Comp as a Taco Bell Employee* How to Prepare for A Workers' Comp Suit Against Taco Bell* How Much is a Taco Bell Workers' Comp Claim Worth?* Don’t Face the Insurance Company Alone Taco Bell might be a great place to work, but the goal of the workers’ comp adjuster is to work what is in the best interest for the company alone. They may want to settle your claim or dismiss it altogether. Don’t face the insurance company alone. It is recommended to not sign anything without first talking with a workers’ compensation attorney on your side. Consult with A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Workers’ compensation claims can be complicated, and often, legitimate workers’ compensation claims are denied. You should enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney who handles workplace injury cases in your state. Many workers’ compensation lawyers take cases on a contingency basis, which means that they aren’t paid until you win your claim and recover a settlement. Discuss the payment method and other details with the attorney when you retain his or her services. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your case. A workplace injury lawyer will gather the supporting evidence and investigate your case to determine the best way to proceed with your workers’ compensation claim against Taco Bell. Don’t wait until it is too late to access the benefits that can be very helpful to you during this challenging time. Mounting medical expenses and your lack of income can have a negative effect on your family’s finances. *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 Taco Bell, you may not be entitled to any compensation. 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