Every workplace has a number of potential risks. Accidents can happen, even if you work in a bakery like Panera Bread. If you have been injured at work or develop a work related sickness, you should be able to claim compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. All chain stores, like Panera Bread, will need to have insurance cover which not only protects their employees but also protects themselves from a possibly expensive personal injury claim. A successful workers’ compensation claim should pay all medical costs and a percentage, typically around two thirds, of lost earnings. As these claims are never guaranteed, you should seek advice from a workers’ compensation attorney first before filing your claim. Injuries That Can Happen at a Bakery Working in a bakery might seem innocuous enough, but workplace accidents and injuries can still happen. Sharp tools can cause cuts and lacerations. In some nasty accidents, amputations may happen when a finger or thumb is accidentally chopped off. Burns from hot ovens and grills can cause serious injuries that may need skin grafts, or at least time off work for burned skin to heal. Slippery floors may lead to slip and fall injuries. These can cause broken bones, cuts and bruises and even more serious injuries such as head and spinal injuries. Filing a Workers Compensation Claim You are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim if you have been injured or become sick because of the job you do. Workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault type of insurance. You do not have to prove that your employer was at fault to make a claim. Even if you were to blame, as long as you were not intoxicated or deliberately set out to injure yourself, you should still be able to receive workers’ compensation. The most important things to remember about a workers’ comp. claim are that your employer’s insurer will need convincing that the injury you are claiming for definitely happened while at work and that you stick to the established procedure, e.g. keep to time limits imposed by the state, use a preferred doctor if this is required and have sufficient proof of what you are claiming for. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you with establishing how much your claim should be worth based on previous claims for similar injuries. How the Value of a Workers’ Compensation Claim is Decided Every injury is different and that means that when you make a claim, the actual amount you are able to claim will be based on your unique circumstances. There are two main components of a claim. The easiest component to understand is that related to lost earnings. You typically receive two thirds of what you should have received if you could have remained at work while recovering from the injury. So, if you normally work 30 hours a week at Panera Bread and receive $9 an hour, then you should claim $6 (two thirds of $9) for every hour you are legitimately away from work. If you broke a leg after a slip and fall and need two months of rest away from work, this could amount to $1440 for the 8 weeks of lost wages. In addition to this would be the full cost of medical treatment, which could be anything from a few hundred dollars for attention to cuts and light burns right through to hundreds of thousands if you have a spinal injury after a fall. Why You Might Use a Workers’ Compensation Attorney It is advisable to use a workers’ compensation attorney if you are unsure of the worth of your claim or are confused by the process. If your claim is denied, you may be able to appeal, in which case it will be vital to have professional legal representation. 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 Panera Bread, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
