What Are the Most Common Types of Worker Injuries at Walmart?
Walmart employees perform a diverse range of tasks that expose them to numerous workplace hazards, resulting in a wide variety of injuries. One of the most common accidents that occur in Walmart’s retail stores is slip-and-fall accidents, often caused by wet or uneven floors or aisles cluttered with boxes and merchandise.
These accidents frequently lead to the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Joint injuries in the ankles, knees or hips
These injuries also commonly occur from forklift and other vehicle accidents as well.
Other common types of accidents and injuries that Walmart employees are at risk for include:
- Crush injuries from falling boxes
- Overexertion injuries such as muscle strain from bending and lifting heavy boxes
- Repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from scanning items or working cash registers
- Cuts and scrapes from box cutters or deli equipment
Walmart can help reduce these injuries to their workers by improving workplace safety, providing proper training to employees, and enforcing strict safety protocols. Furthermore, Walmart can support injured employees by providing medical care, adequate compensation, and time off to heal and recover from their injuries.
By prioritizing employee safety and well-being, Walmart can create a safer and more supportive work environment for its employees.
What Are Some Common Causes of Worker Injuries at Walmart?
Factors that contribute to workplace injuries at Walmart include the following:
- A large workforce that may not be adequately trained or experienced
- Long working hours and fatigue, particularly in the case of commercial truck drivers
- Insufficient staffing levels, leading to overworked employees and a higher risk of fatigue and overexertion injuries
- Lack of proper safety protocols and equipment, such as protective gear and adequate signage
- Poor workplace design, such as inadequate equipment or workstations, leading to repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders
To reduce the risk of workplace injuries and improve employee safety, Walmart must prioritize appropriate measures such as:
- Providing sufficient safety training and equipment to workers, including protective gear and adequate signage
- Enforcing proper safety protocols
- Ensuring adequate staffing levels to prevent overworked employees and fatigue-related injuries
- Improving workplace design, including ergonomic workstations and equipment, to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders
By taking these steps, Walmart can create a safer and more supportive work environment and reduce the incidence of workplace injuries and associated workers’ compensation claims.
Understanding the Workers’ Compensation System in South Carolina
In South Carolina, most employers, including Walmart, are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job, regardless of who was at fault for the injury.
If a Walmart employee is injured on the job in South Carolina, they’re eligible to receive payment for the expenses they incur as a result of their workplace injury, such as medical bills and lost wages.
Moreover, South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system also covers employees who develop occupational illnesses or diseases as a result of their job.
Some other key facts you should know about the workers’ compensation system in South Carolina include:
- Benefits may vary depending on the severity and extent of the injury and may include medical treatment, disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation.
- South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system has strict filing deadlines that employees must adhere to in order to receive benefits.
- If a Walmart employee is dissatisfied with the workers’ compensation decision about their claim, they have the right to appeal the decision.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in South Carolina
If a Walmart employee in South Carolina is injured on the job, they may be entitled to the following workers’ compensation benefits:
- Medical expenses, including doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation and medical equipment
- Lost wages while you recover, which are typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage
- Death benefits to surviving family members if you die from a work injury or illness, which includes lost income and funeral expenses
The amount of benefits and length of time you can receive them is based on your injury, disability, and other factors. An experienced attorney can explain how disability is determined and give an estimate of the benefits you should be able to receive based on similar injury claims.
What Steps Should I Take After an Injury at Walmart in South Carolina?
If you’ve been injured on the job in South Carolina, taking the following steps can help ensure that you receive the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to:
- Seek immediate medical attention. If you’re injured on the job, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Seeing a doctor can provide documentation that the work accident was the direct cause of your injury, which is essential for a successful claim. It’s also important to keep in mind that pain doesn’t always surface immediately after an injury, so it’s best to see a doctor even if you’re not initially experiencing pain. Additionally, keep copies of all your medical records and bills, as you’ll need them to submit a claim for benefits.
- Report the accident to your supervisor. It’s crucial to report the accident to your supervisor as soon as possible. Be sure to get a written statement from your supervisor confirming that you reported the accident. In most cases, you only have 90 days to report the injury to your employer to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Verify that your employer files a claim. It’s your employer’s responsibility to file a claim with their insurance company after getting notice of your injury by submitting Form 50.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Navigating the workers’ compensation system can be complex and confusing. Therefore, it’s essential to contact an attorney who is well-versed in handling Walmart workers’ compensation claims. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, guide you through the claims process, and ensure that you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to under the law.
By taking these steps, Walmart employees in South Carolina who are injured on the job can ensure that they receive the medical care and financial support they need to recover from their injuries and return to work.
Signs That You Should Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Help With Your Claim
Filing a workers’ compensation claim with Walmart in South Carolina can be a complex and challenging process. Therefore, it’s essential to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can help you navigate the claims process and protect your rights.
Here are some key indicators that you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney to help with your claim:
- Your employer denies your claim or disputes your benefits.
- Your employer retaliates against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Your injuries or disabilities prevent you from returning to work or limit your ability to work.
- You’re not receiving the full workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to.
- You have questions about your rights and benefits under the workers’ compensation system.
Maximize Your Workers’ Comp Benefits: Hire Our Columbia, South Carolina, Work Injury Attorneys
If you’re a Walmart employee in South Carolina who has been injured on the job, we understand that you may be facing physical, emotional and financial challenges. At Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, we’re here to help you navigate the complex workers’ compensation system and receive the full benefits you’re entitled to under the law.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing injured workers in Columbia and throughout South Carolina, and we have a proven track record of success in workers’ compensation cases.
We offer free initial consultations, and we work on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay a fee unless we win your case. You can trust us to handle your case with the care, compassion and expertise it deserves.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega Injury Lawyers today for your no-obligation consultation, and let us help you get back on the road to recovery.
Learn about your rights and the potential challenges after getting injured while working at a grocery store in South Carolina.
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