The Workplace Hazards Faced by Grocery Store Workers
As reported in an article published by the Miami Herald recently, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are all trying to stay ahead of means that those who work in positions that have been deemed essential are facing greater risks than the rest of us. And while your mind may immediately go to doctors and nurses who are endangered on the medical front, grocery store workers are also facing heightened workplace risks as they work to keep food and critical goods flowing. In a world where many employees around the world have been told to stay home altogether or to work remotely, grocery store workers are on the frontlines and are often doing so for low wages. For good reason, these workers have been applauded by global leaders and countless people on social media.
While grocery store workers are clearly facing an unprecedented workplace hazard, the tasks that grocery workers perform have long had the potential to include many other hazards.
Common Injuries Grocery Store Workers May Suffer
Grocery store workers can work in a variety of positions in the store which means they can also suffer a range of injuries. These workers can do everything from stock groceries to gather carts in the parking lot to work exclusively in the store’s bakery, seafood, or meat departments. Fortunately, everything goes fine a lot of the time. However, when it doesn’t, workers can suffer from a range of injuries such as:
- Chronic back pain
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tendonitis
- Injuries resulting from being hit by a car
- Food preparation injuries like burns and cuts
- Slip, trip and fall injuries
- Injuries from falling objects
Are Common Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Generally speaking, yes. Florida’s workers’ compensation statute covers most injuries that occur at a workplace during the scope of employment. Fortunately for injured grocery store workers who often work in shifts, this is a no-fault system that typically provides benefits regardless of whether an injured worker is full-time, part-time, or even still fulfilling a probationary period with the employer. However, it is best to obtain the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible after being injured as employers and insurance companies will often do everything they can to deny claims that should be granted or minimize compensation in order to avoid paying what injured workers deserve.
Have You Been Injured While Working at a Grocery Store?
If you have been injured at work while employed at a grocery store, you should contact a competent workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible who can advise you on what your next steps should be. Even if you have been told by your employer that you are not eligible for workers’ compensation, you should obtain the help of an experienced legal team because the information you were given may not be correct. As the experienced Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we will help ensure that you maximize your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
miamiherald.com/news/article241782261.html
https://www.payerandassociates.com/workers-compensation-misconceptions-2/
