Workers’ Compensation for Department Store Injuries

There are thousands of Americans who work at department stores across the country. While none of these employees want to be hurt on the job, there are thousands of injuries at work every year. There are several ways to be injured on the job if you work at a store, and many of those injuries can be serious or life-altering.

You could slip and fall on a spilled drink or food, you could be hit by falling merchandise, or struck by a pallet jack, forklift, or other equipment while unloading trucks. Other ways to be injured while working in a store include tripping over floor mats, or being cut while packaging products for sale.

You can also be hurt by broken pavement or concrete in the parking lot or sidewalk or be hit by vehicles in the parking lot while gathering shopping carts. Some of these injuries can keep you from working for months, years, or even indefinitely. In these situations, you need workers’ comp to help you cover your living expenses and pay your medical costs.

Even the most careful and diligent of employees can be injured on the job. It is important that you understand your rights with workers’ comp and understand how it is designed to help you in the event you find yourself in a situation where you have suffered a work related illness or injury.

Employees Injured at Walmart

Walmart is a larger employer with 1.3 million employees spread out across the country. When someone is injured on the job, there are certain workers’ compensation guidelines that have to be followed. A recent class action lawsuit was brought against Walmart and its medical service provider in Colorado, which was pertaining to the retailer and the provider hindering medical providers from making independent judgments on treating injured workers.

While workers’ comp requires that your employer provide you with a list of specific physicians to see for workers’ comp claims, they cannot tell the providers how to make independent judgement regarding injuries and treatment. Of course because of its size, Walmart has more workers’ comp claims each year than other companies.

Workers’ Comp Settlements

A Home Depot employee received all the benefits that he was entitled to by law under the Workers’ Compensation Act for a lower back injury. He went on to settle for an additional $150,000. Workers’ comp has been in existence for more than 100 years to protect the employees as well as the employers.

A California appeals court ruled that a Home Depot employee is entitled to receive workers’ comp benefits for psychiatric-related injuries that occurred on the job. A shelf full of lumber fell on the employee, injuring his left foot and ankle. He reported that he suffered from fear and depression after the accident.

While a workers’ comp judge ruled the employee was completely disabled and entitled to receive $314.40 per week for life, the appeals board disagreed. The employee had worked for the company less than 6 months and California law indicates that employees cannot collect psychiatric injury-related compensation unless they have been employed by the employer for 6 months or longer.

The appeals court overturned the appeals board by declaring that the falling lumber was an unusual event that it would naturally be expected to cause psychic disturbances to anyone, including an honest and diligent employee.

Consult with an Attorney

If you are injured on the job, make sure you provide thorough, detailed documentation to your supervisor and/or human resources department. Make sure you get the names of any witnesses and make sure they give statements to the proper officials as well.

Don’t try to negotiate with workers’ comp lawyers or representatives on your own. Instead, you need to consult with an attorney as quickly as possible. They will make sure your rights are protected and you are treated fairly.

Your attorney will make sure your medical expenses are covered, you get fair compensation for your time off work and that you are paid for your pain and suffering. A lawyer will make sure you get the attention that you deserve and fair treatment throughout the claims process.

Learn more about specific Department Stores below: