Packagers still play a big part of our lives. From packagers who work in Amazon’s giant warehouses to packagers who work in smaller warehouses in your area, we all rely on them to get the goods we want and need to our local stores or to our doorsteps. If you’re a packager, you work around forklifts, pickers, and often move heavy freight on your own. Have you ever wondered how you would pay your bills if you were hurt on the job? Although many packagers make a decent wage, many people simply don’t save enough money to help if a tragedy occurs. In addition to being hurt, you also face financial despair. There is a safety net. Every state requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp, as it is more commonly known, helps packagers pay for all of their medical expenses of all kinds for on-the-job injuries. It can also help by providing a portion of your lost wages. Workers’ Compensation Basics Workers’ compensation insurance is required by law. It is something that most employers must have in place. Employers cover the cost of it. It can cover doctors’ visits, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and other expenses. These policies list a doctor that you can see without an out of pocket charge. Of course, you still have the right to see your own doctor or go to the emergency room. Just make sure that you keep your receipts and bills. You can be reimbursed for your out of pocket expenses. Workers’ compensation doesn’t just cover on the job injuries. It also covers sicknesses caused by your work. For instance, if you developed mesothelioma because you worked in a warehouse that had asbestos in the walls or handling products that used asbestos in them, your medical expenses would still be covered. Common Risks Faced By Packagers Packagers face a lot of risks in their day-to-day activities. Fork lifts can cause serious injuries if they fail and drop packages on you or if you’re accidently ran over by one. Making repetitive motions, such as packaging orders, can cause repetitive stress syndrome. If there is a spill on the warehouse floor, which is most likely concrete, a slip and fall can lead to broken bones, bulging discs, and other neck and back issues. If you are a packager in a warehouse that houses chemicals, you could suffer chemical burns to your skin or your lungs. You could even develop respiratory problems that last a life time. Take These Steps if You Are Hurt on the Job Even if you think that you could have prevented your injury or that it was somehow your fault, workers’ comp is still there to help you. Follow the following four steps to get the help that you deserve: Let your supervisor know that you’re hurt or sick. Don’t wait until the end of your shift. You can protect the other packagers in the warehouse by letting your supervisor know about the problem so that the cause can be corrected. Complete an accident report immediately. If, though, there is a chemical spill or some other emergency situation, evacuate the building and call the authorities. Then, complete your report. Your safety, and the safety of your coworkers is the most important. Get medical help. If you’ve hit your head on the concrete floor, been exposed to chemicals, or if you’ve injured your neck or back, call 911. These are injuries that should be treated right away. Book an appointment with a workers’ compensation attorney. Do not talk to a representative from the insurance company on your own. Their job is to settle your claim for as little as possible. Settling can rob you of your legal right to recover. Get an experienced attorney on your side to protect your rights. Get Legal Help To protect yourself and your family, you must get legal help. What would you do if your employer wouldn’t allow you back after you’ve been released? It’s been known to happen. A qualified workers’ comp attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve and help protect your livelihood. Don’t wait. Contact an attorney right away if you are injured on the job.
