South Carolina Workers’ Compensation for Poultry
Plant Workers
Understand your right to workers’ comp benefits and how to file a claim if you’re injured in a SC poultry plant
Poultry plant workers play essential roles in the food and agricultural industries in South Carolina. On top of providing people with delicious food products, they must also look out for the public’s health and safety.
Unfortunately, hazards in poultry plants place workers at risk of injuries and illnesses that could result in the need to file a workers’ compensation claim. Understanding the common reasons for injuries in poultry plants, how to file a claim, and who qualifies for benefits helps injured workers get the compensation they need during their recoveries.
Common types of jobs in local poultry plants
People who work in poultry plants are often considered to be jacks-of-all-trades. Advanced machinery has sped up poultry plant processing lines, yet people are still responsible for handling responsibilities that include using heavy equipment to perform deboning, cutting, and evisceration tasks.
Assembly line workers might assist with handling, moving, and loading processed poultry from one location to another. While employees in the warehouse department of a poultry plant might be called upon to drive forklifts, operate pallet jacks, and perform other heavy-equipment operations.
Is working at a poultry plant hard?
Yes, working at a poultry plant is hard work that puts workers at risk for numerous health issues and injuries. This has been proven in numerous studies over the years, including a 2014 one by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety that provided startling statistics regarding injury rates for workers.
It found that a staggering 42% of participants showed current symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Compared to the general rate of 6.3 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome per 10,000 workers annually, the number of workers experiencing this type of injury is extremely high in the poultry processing industry.
What are the dangers of working with poultry?
As evident by the above-mentioned study, many poultry plants require assembly-line work that involves employees performing the same tasks over and over again, which increases the rate of repetitive stress injuries.
However, employees in chicken processing plants are also exposed to other serious hazards, including:
- Slippery surfaces. Wet floors from cleaning processes can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls, leading to potential injuries such as sprains, fractures, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Hazardous chemicals. Chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and carbon dioxide can be particularly hazardous or even deadly when used in confined spaces. Common injuries include chemical burns, respiratory problems, and poisoning.
- Dangerous equipment. Sharp and heavy equipment-related injuries can occur if these machines experience a mechanical failure, are improperly used, or safeguards are ignored. This can lead to cuts, lacerations, amputations, and crushing injuries.
- Noisy environments. Constant exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss and other auditory issues over time, such as tinnitus.
- Biological hazards. Workers are at risk of exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses present in poultry, which can lead to infections and illnesses like salmonella, campylobacter, and avian flu.
- Temperature extremes. Workers may be exposed to extreme cold in refrigerated areas or high heat in other parts of the plant, which can cause thermal stress, frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
It’s important to note that regardless of what type of injuries workers suffer or how they occur, injured workers should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to aid in their recoveries.
In the news:
Alabama poultry plant continues to endanger underage workers
In may 2024, federal investigators say they found minors working on the kill floor of an Alabama poultry plant owned by Mar-Jac Poultry, the same company linked to the death of a teenager in 2023.
Do poultry workers qualify for workers’ comp benefits in SC?
Yes, the majority of South Carolina workers are covered under workers’ compensation insurance in South Carolina as long as their employers employ 4 or more employees.
However, independent contractors, casual employees without regular working hours, and those who work for companies with less than $3,000 on their payroll may not be covered. If you fall into a category that doesn’t guarantee coverage, then it’s important to reach out to an attorney who can help you understand your rights.
What workers’ comp benefits are injured poultry workers entitled to?
Injured poultry workers are entitled to various types of workers’ compensation benefits, which typically include:
- Medical benefits. These include coverage for all necessary medical treatments related to the work injury, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Wage replacement benefits. These include temporary disability benefits to compensate for lost wages while the worker is unable to work due to the injury, as well as additional compensation for permanent impairments.
- Vocational rehabilitation. These benefits provide assistance with retraining or education if the worker is unable to return to their previous job and needs help finding new employment.
- Death benefits. These benefits provide financial support for the family of a worker who dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness.
It’s important to fully understand the benefits you’re entitled to before accepting a settlement offer from the workers’ compensation insurer, especially in cases of catastrophic injury that prevent you from returning to work. A workers’ compensation attorney can help estimate the value of your claim to ensure any compensation you’re offered is fair.
When Will I Get a Settlement Offer From Workers’ Comp?
Learn when you’re most likely to get a settlement offer from workers’ comp and how to know if you should accept it.
How do I file a workers’ comp claim in SC after an injury in a poultry plant?
If your work-related injury, illness, or occupational disease is covered under workers’ comp, you will need to follow the state’s requirements for filing a claim. Key steps include:
- Report the injury. Notify your employer immediately about the injury. This should be done within 90 days of the incident.
- Seek medical attention. Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Failure to do so can severely compromise your workers’ comp claim, as it can make it difficult to prove your injury is work-related. Be sure to also follow the instructions provided by your employer or their insurance carrier regarding approved medical providers.
- Complete and submit forms. Ensure your employer submits the claim to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. If they refuse, you can submit it yourself by filing Form 50 with the Commission.
- Document everything. Keep detailed records of your injury, medical treatments, communications with your employer, and any related expenses.
If you encounter any issues or if your claim is denied, consider consulting a workers’ compensation attorney for guidance and assistance.
Safety tips for poultry plant workers
Due to the harsh working conditions that occur within poultry plants, OSHA requires employers to follow strict safety guidelines that include providing personal protection equipment to their employees.
As an employee, you can use these tips to stay safer at work:
- Always use the provided PPE, including gloves, aprons, ear protection, and safety goggles, to protect against injuries and exposure to hazardous substances.
- Use ergonomic equipment and strategies to avoid repetitive stress injuries.
- Keep your work area clean and free of clutter to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Clean up any spills immediately.
- Be mindful of moving machinery, sharp tools, and other potential hazards. Always stay alert and focused on your task.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after handling raw poultry or using the restroom. Follow all sanitation protocols to prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants.
- Be aware of the chemicals you work with, and follow all safety guidelines for handling and storage. Know the emergency procedures for chemical spills or exposure.
While it’s crucial to follow these safety tips to prevent injuries in poultry plants, please be aware that since workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance, workers are generally entitled to benefits even if the accident that caused their injury was their fault, as long as they can prove it was work-related.
Injured at a Columbia poultry plant? We can help!
Sometimes, an employer refuses to file a claim, or your claim might be denied. At that point, your next step is to reach out to a workers’ comp attorney who can start taking action to make sure your rights are protected.
At Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, our experienced Columbia work injury attorneys are dedicated to helping injured workers navigate the complexities of the workers’ compensation system. We will negotiate with your employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier to ensure you receive the medical treatment and benefits you need to recover and move forward.
Contact Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega today for a free consultation and let us help you get the justice and support you deserve.
References
Jackson, R. (2018). Rates of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a State Workers’ Compensation Information System, by Industry and Occupation — California, 2007–2014. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6739a4
Musolin, K., Ramsey, J. G., Wassell, J. T., & Hard, D. L. (2014). Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among employees at a poultry processing plant. Applied Ergonomics, 45(6), 1377–1383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2014.03.005
