There are some jobs that seem impervious to danger. Especially for a company like Wegmans, who has remained in the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list every year for the past 20 years, it seems impossible that accidents can occur. However, if you were recently injured while working at Wegmans, you are not alone. Continue below to learn more about how you could qualify for financial support after your injury through the workers’ compensation program. History of Wegmans Wegmans was founded in 1916 in Rochester, NY as the “Rochester Fruit and Vegetable Company”. While expansion has been relatively slow compared to most other successful chains, Wegman’s credits its continued success not to expansion, but to its focus on customer and employee satisfaction. Today, it operates 92 stores in the New England and mid-Atlantic US with an annual revenue of around $8 billion. Potential Hazards of Working at Wegmans Like any supermarket, Wegmans has a variety of employee duties with the potential for accidents. The most common injuries are caused by: Slip and falls: Wegmans are kept well cleaned throughout the day in all of their departments. Even with proper signage, employees passing through to restock (or the employees doing the cleaning) are at risk of slipping and falling. Even in stock rooms or near unexpected spills (such as in the frozen food or dairy aisles) employees are in danger of injury. Falling items: Stock rooms are the number one location in any supermarket for accidents to occur. One of the major reasons for this is because of the quantity and positioning of stored product. Retrieving, packing, or even taking inventory of items can result in an accidental bump or falling items that can cause serious injuries. Body pain developed over time: Even injuries caused over time can occasionally qualify for workers’ comp. Store workers are required to sit, stand, bend, lift, and push for many hours of the day. Even with breaks, certain work can cause injury over time to the back, neck, shoulders, or joints that only make an appearance after years of wear and tear. When preparing to file for workers’ comp, start by writing a detailed account of everything you know about your injury. Why did it occur? Was it a single incident or did it develop over time? Were there any witnesses to the incident (coworkers, bosses) that can write supporting testimonies? Compile this information along with photos of your injuries, photos of the injury site in your Wegmans, and all medical documentation acquired due to your injury. With this, you are ready to write your official workers’ comp request to Wegmans and their insurance company. Consult with a Workers’ Comp Attorney Especially in situations requiring official legal documents, it can be scary to begin the process. If you are nervous about writing your letter, then it may be wise to speak with a workers’ comp attorney. Their professional experience makes them the #1 resource when it comes to writing workers’ comp letters, staying in contact with insurance companies, and potentially providing legal representation in court, if need be. Before you begin your process, consider a free consultation with a workers’ comp attorney in your area. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Wegmans or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
