Working in retail is more dangerous than it may appear
Retail work is more strenuous than it appears and involves more than just running cash registers. Retail employees stock items on shelves, set up merchandise and displays, and handle large warehouse shipments of inventory.
According to a report released by AmTrust Financial Services Inc., retail workers miss an average of 24 days of work due to injuries.
Most expensive types of retail accidents
In the AmTrust Retail Risk Report, researchers analyzed more than 20,000 workers' compensation claims between 2016-2018. The three retail injuries with the highest average payout included:
- Falls from ladders and scaffolding — $21,000 and an average of 30 days away from work
- Strain or repetitive motion — $14,000 and an average of 33 days away from work
- Transportation incidents and misc causes — $13,900 and an average of 25 days away from work
Which retail workers are most at risk of being injured?
The workers who are most susceptible to sustaining injuries, according to the report, include:
- Meat, fish, and poultry handlers: Injuries are often caused by sharp knives, power saws, lifting heavy boxes, and performing repetitive motions.
- Hardware employees: Hardware workers often sustain injuries while climbing ladders, cutting lumber, lifting heavy inventory, and working on or around forklifts.
- Car parts and accessory employees: Workers often sustain injuries to soft tissue, upper extremities, and joints due to repetitive lifting.
- Barbershop, beauty parlor or hairstyling salon: Workers may be injured while handling scissors, shavers, and razors. Slip and fall injuries are also common on wet floors.
What are my legal rights if I was hurt on the job?
Not many people see retail as a dangerous occupation. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that injury incidents in retail rose from 3.3 cases to 3.5 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2018. In fact, it was the only private industry sector where the rate of injuries increased for that year.
You may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits if you're a retail worker who was hurt on the job. It's critical that you take action immediately, however. You can start by reporting the incident to your employer and seeking medical attention.
If your injury is serious enough, you may need to take time off from work. Workers' compensation benefits cover your medical expenses and lost wages during this time. Obtaining benefits isn't easy, however. If any evidence is missing from your claim or anything is incorrectly filled out on your paperwork, your claim can be denied.
An experienced attorney at Vellner Law, PC can help you maximize your chances of obtaining benefits. We have represented injured workers in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Lehigh Valley Since 1991. Contact us online to find out how we can help you. We offer free consultations.