Cashiers work in a wide variety of environments. They’re found in retail establishments like Wal-Mart and Target. They can work at grocery stores such as Aldi’s. They can work in clothing stores in the mall. Cashiers are found anywhere that there is an exchange of money for goods. If you’re a cashier, you know what it’s like to be on your feet all day and to deal with the hustle and bustle of the establishment that pays you. Many cashiers live from paycheck to paycheck. If you’re a cashier, you must think about what would happen to you and your family if you were hurt on the job. An on-the-job injury can be a terrifying experience for anyone. There is a safety net in place for cashiers that are hurt on the job. Every state has a workers’ compensation law on the books that requires most employers to provide workers’ compensation for its workers. This insurance is provided to you without any expense. How Workers’ Comp Can Help a Cashier Workers’ compensation can help a cashier who is hurt or made sick on the job. All you must do is file a claim. If you work for a large store, ask to speak with the safety rep, your manager, or HR. Let them know that you need to file a claim. Workers’ comp will help take some of the stress out of your life by paying for the medical care that you need to get better. It helps with prescriptions, doctors’ visits, surgeries, or other things that you need because of your injury or illness. It also provides a part of your paycheck even if you can’t work. Risks to Cashiers There are risks that cashiers face every day that can leave them hurt and unable to work. Performing repetitive movements, such as placing canned goods in bags, can lead to injuries to the arms, hands, shoulders, and wrists. Cashiers are also at risk for slipping and falling. Spills that happen can cause a cashier to fall and hit their head or injure their neck and back even if they wear no slip shoes. Carrying heavy items or heavy items that fall can also cause severe injuries. That’s certainly not an all-inclusive list of ways that cashiers can be hurt on the job. You can look around your work environment and see risks to your safety. That brings up another important point. Fault is rarely considered in workers’ compensation claims. It usually doesn’t matter if you think that you could have prevented your accident. Follow These Steps if You’re Hurt Tell your supervisor or manager right away if you’re hurt. Don’t wait until the end of your shift. If you fell because of a spill near your register, your supervisor should know about it so that it can be cleaned up to stop anyone else from getting hurt. If you think you’ve hurt your wrist or hand, you can make it worse if you keep working. That’s why it is important to tell someone. It can also help you protect your legal rights. Fill out an accident report. This is something else that should be done as soon as possible. It’s much easier to remember exactly what happened right after it happens than it is a week later. If you’ve hit your head on a shelf or if you’ve hurt your neck or back by lifting something heavy, call 911. You can be seriously injured without realizing it. The police will respond along with the paramedics. They will complete an informational report and provide you with a report number. You can get a copy of the report. See a doctor. If you think you have a concussion or if you have hurt your back, go to the emergency room. Concussions and back injuries can cause permanent damage. If you have a repetitive stress injury from using your wrists and hands the same way for years while scanning items, you can see the doctor listed on the workers’ compensation insurance policy. If you do that, you won’t pay anything out of your own pocket. You do have the right to see your own doctor. Just make sure that you keep any receipts for things you pay for so that you can be reimbursed. Make an appointment to see a workers’ compensation attorney. You need to protect your rights and be treated fairly by the insurance company. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Do not talk to the insurance company on your own. You could sign away your rights. Protect Your Legal Rights Even if your employer seems supportive, they may try to fire you for missing work because of your on-the-job injury. Protect your legal rights and your livelihood as a cashier. Talk with a workers’ compensation attorney right away.
