If you have been hurt at work, and work for a major employer such as The Home Depot, you are entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation. Injuries in such retail sectors as construction are relatively common and can sometimes be serious. A successful workers’ comp. claim can help pay for immediate and ongoing medical treatment and some, although not all, of any wages that you lose because you have to take time off work. Talk to a workers’ compensation attorney if unsure of the steps you need to take. Company Profile: Home Depot The Home Depot is a familiar home improvement department store found in many U.S. cities all over the country. Similar stores are also located in neighboring Canada and Mexico as well as some U.S. island dependencies like Puerto Rico and Guam. The Home Depot sells all types of home improvement products from building and gardening supplies to plumbing, electrical and lighting supplies, general hardware and tools. The company has over 2,000 individual stores and a smaller number of regional distribution centers, with a total staff complement of over 400,000. Typical Injuries in Construction at The Home Depot If you work in the construction and building supplies section of a store or warehouse, you often need to handle heavy and bulky items. Your work may involve doing this over and over again all day. This can be quite wearing on your body and back strain is a typical injury in construction. Forklift truck injuries happen from time to time. For example, crush injuries or broken bones can happen when a machine topples over on top of you or you are trapped under a heavy weight. Falling items can cause head injuries as can falling off a ladder or shelf while unpacking, or sorting through, goods for sale. Filing a Workers’ Comp. Claim After a Construction Injury at The Home Depot It is important to be aware of specific statewide rules if you are injured at work. There will be one rule that determines when you need to inform your employer about the details of your injury and another determining when you need to file a claim and who with. Each state is a little different from others. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault type of insurance, so there is no need to prove that your employer was in some way negligent. This speeds up the processing of claims as long as there is sufficient basic documentation submitted with the claim. Not every claim is allowed and insurers may challenge your medical treatment or even pour doubt on your claim that the injury happened while at work. A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You with Your Claim A workers’ compensation attorney is a valuable asset if you are filing a claim for the very first time or you have encountered resistance from your employer or its insurer. The attorney can provide legal advice, suggest documentation you need to submit and help you if you need to make an appeal against an unfavorable decision. Additional Resources Were you Hurt While Working at Home Depot? How Much is a Claim Against Home Depot Worth? *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 The Home Depot, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
