When it comes to workers’ compensation, typically you think of construction sites or law enforcement who need protection. Usually, it’s these more dangerous professions where employees become injured and are in need of compensation.
You’d think that working in a grocery store would be a safer choice, right?
Not the case for one unlucky Dekalb woman.
Local grocery store worker trapped in roof collapse
An employee of Food Depot at the 3500 block of Panola Road in Dekalb County, Georgia was working in the storage room when suddenly the roof collapsed. Dekalb County emergency crews immediately arrived and began clearing the scene. The worker (who remains unidentified) was trapped due to the collapse.
After they were able to extract her from the wreckage, the woman was taken to the hospital and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. At this time, it’s unclear why the roof collapsed. It remains under investigation.
This goes to show that a workplace injury can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. When tragedy strikes, you want someone on your side who can fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Potential injuries in grocery stores
Whether a mom-and-pop grocery store or a big chain like Walmart, an employee can perform many tasks in a given shift. Your day can range from stocking shelves to cashier work to cleaning up spills. With such a variety of responsibilities, there is a wide potential for injury to occur.
Here are some of the most common injuries a grocery store worker could suffer:
- Pain from heavy lifting
- Shoulder injury
- Carpal tunnel
If you’ve been hurt while performing your job duties, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation for occupational disease and part-time employees
When you file a workers’ compensation claim, there will usually be an investigation to prove that your injury happened at work.
In the case of this grocery store employee at Food Depot in Dekalb County, this step is likely easy to prove because she was found on the scene and the injury happened instantly.
But what about injuries caused over time by repetitive stress or disease that develops from your working conditions?
These complicated claims are where an experienced workers’ comp lawyer can come in handy.
Since the injured Food Depot employee was unidentified, we don’t know if she was part- or full-time. Under Georgia law, if a business has 3 or more employees, then it is typically legally obligated to carry workers’ compensation coverage.
How do part-time workers factor in? Could she still receive compensation for her injuries if she worked for Food Depot part-time?
Generally, the answer is yes. Even seasonal employees may be eligible for benefits.
When to consult an experienced Dekalb County work injury lawyer
Unless you’ve studied workers’ comp law and are familiar with Georgia court systems, you are probably unaware of your rights. You could be missing out on compensation from your employer. After all, you were just doing your job when you got hurt. You shouldn’t be responsible for treatment and recovery costs.
If you’ve been hurt on the job in the Atlanta area, reach out to our team at Gerber & Holder Law. We are trained, experienced and passionate legal advocates in workers’ compensation cases across Georgia and we’re ready to fight for your rights.
