As a retail worker, you may have been exposed to multiple safety hazards throughout your shifts. Falling boxes, cuts from sharp objects, and slips and falls are just a few of the potential dangers retail employees face while on the job. If you've been injured at work, you may be wondering if you need to hire a workers' compensation lawyer. Here are five situations that may require help from a workers' compensation attorney.
1) You Were Attacked by a Customer
A customer-is-always-right attitude drives some shoppers to attack retail employees who they believe have wronged them in some way. If you were attacked by a customer, you may be able to file for workers' compensation. This is also true if you were injured during a theft, robbery, or other crime.
2) You Suffered a Slip and Fall Injury
Slip and fall injuries are common in retail settings. If you slipped and fell on a wet floor or tripped over an uneven surface, you may be able to file for workers' compensation. Some falls are minor, while others require long-term treatment. If you broke a bone, damaged your spine, or ended up with a brain injury after falling, talk to a workers' compensation lawyer right away.
3) You Were Injured by a Falling Object
Falling boxes, signs, and other objects pose a serious threat to retail employees. If you were hit by a falling object, you may be able to file for workers' compensation. This is especially true if the object fell because it wasn't properly secured or if it was damaged in some way. With a lawyer's help, you can prove this happened if coworkers witnessed the incident or your store has a surveillance system.
4) You Cut Yourself on the Job
Cuts and lacerations are other common injuries in retail settings. If you cut yourself on a sharp object, you may have some serious injuries. Talk to a legal representative if the object that cut you was damaged or wasn't properly secured.
For example, if you were cutting cloth with a pair of scissors and the blades snapped off, injuring you, this may be due to a manufacturing defect. In this case, you may have grounds to file a workers' compensation claim as well as a personal injury lawsuit against the company that made the defective product.
5) You Were Injured in a Car Accident While Making Deliveries
If you were injured in a car accident while making deliveries for your retail job, you may be able to file for workers' compensation. This is true even if you were using your own vehicle.
For example, if you were in an accident while making a delivery for your retail job and suffered injuries as a result, you may be eligible to file a workers' comp case. If your employer tries fighting your request, talk to a workers' compensation attorney.
Contact a workers' compensation lawyer for more information.
