West Palm Beach Workers Compensation Attorney
A West Palm Beach, Florida workers compensation attorney understands that when many people think of job injuries and workers’ compensation claims, they often picture catastrophic accidents, such as trench collapses or scaffolding falling in construction accidents or other high-risk industries. The truth is that many jobs have a risk of injury, some higher than others. One profession that you may not think would have a high injury rate is that of the retail employee, but the truth is that while the risk of catastrophic injury is low for retail employees, the rate of injury itself is high. In fact, some studies have found that the injury rate for retail employees may be higher than that of construction workers.
If you are a retail worker and you have been injured on the job, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim for your medical bills and lost wages from any time you were unable to work while you recovered from your injury. Employers must refrain from any type of retaliation or threats against workers who suffer injuries. If your employer is giving you a hard time or the workers compensation insurance company is dragging out approving your claim or has denied it outright, contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to speak with a West Palm Beach workers compensation attorney
What Type of Injuries Do Retail Workers Suffer?
There are a variety of injuries a retail employee can sustain in the course of carrying out their work duties. Some of the most common a workers compensation attorney in West Palm Beach sees includes:
- Repetitive strain from lifting heavy objects resulting in chronic muscle pain
- Repetitive strain from scanning items through check out
- Cuts and lacerations from cutting open boxes
- Slip and fall on liquid spilled on the floor (i.e. tracked water from outside, customer spilled drink, etc.)
- Hit by a vehicle in a parking lot while collecting carriages
- Forklift accident in the stockroom
As with any job-related injury, under the law, it does not matter who is at fault for the accident that caused the injury (unless intentionally self-inflicted), the employee is covered under workers’ compensation insurance and should receive their benefits. Unfortunately, many injured retail employees are afraid to file a workers’ compensation claim. They may fear that the missed time from work will mean their hours will be significantly cut when they return, or they will lose their job completely. Instead, they continue to work even though they are in pain and/or injured, which often leads to more serious damage to the area that is injured because there is no medical treatment and healing provided.
If an employer threatens to retaliate against an injured worker for filing a claim, your West Palm Beach workers compensation attorney can file a retaliatory discharge claim against the company. Do not be intimidated into losing out on the benefits you are entitled to under the law. Call the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to speak with a West Palm Beach a workers compensation attorney today.
