Retail Employee Injuries and Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation claims in DuPage County are not limited a few types of industries. Employee injuries can happen in almost any occupation, and it is important for employers to think carefully about worker safety and to take steps to prevent accidents from occurring. One of the more common worksites in which employee accidents and injuries occur is in wholesale and retail trade establishments. When injuries happen at these places of employment, injured workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
If you or someone you love got hurt at work in DuPage County, it is important to learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim. Before anyone suffers a serious injury, however, it is essential to take steps to prevent a serious workplace injury in the first place. A safety pamphlet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health discusses the problems of slips, trips, and falls in wholesale and retail workplaces and the ways in which employees may be able to avoid injuries.
Slips, Trips, and Falls at Work in Naperville
According to the pamphlet, employees in wholesale and retail trade (WRT) are at particularly high risk of injuries from slips, trips, and falls. What kinds of jobs are usually classified as WRT work? In short, this category refers to jobs that involve “preparing, distributing, and selling merchandise in retail operations, and services related to those activities.” In other words, from placing materials into shipping receptacles to selling goods at a retail store in Naperville, there are a wide variety of WRT jobs. Currently, about 21 million people have WRT jobs.
Given that WRT workers must often carry bulky items and are on their feet for much of the time at work, they tend to suffer high rates of slip and fall accidents than do employees in other industry. The pamphlet cites some of the following common risk factors in WRT workplaces for slip, trip, and fall accidents:
- Slippery surfaces caused by liquid spills;
- Tracking water and mud inside as a result of rain, snow, and/or ice;
- Loose mats or loose rugs inside the workplace;
- Boxes or other containers obstructing an employee’s vision;
- Poor lighting in the workplace;
- Walking surfaces in need of repair;
- Changes in floor height; and
- Cords or other forms of clutter in walking areas.
Prevent Serious Injuries Among Wholesale and Retail Employees
What can employers do to prevent a serious workplace accident that results in workers’ compensation claims? The pamphlet suggests some of the following preventive measures:
- Develop a prevention policy for slips, trips, and falls;
- Keep aisles and walkways free of clutter;
- Ensure your workplace has proper lighting;
- Install more outlets to avoid cords that run across large areas of walkway;
- Clean up water and other liquid spills as soon as possible;
- Provide umbrella bags to keep rainwater off store walking areas; and
- Keep cleanup supplies nearby and well-stocked.
Contact a Dedicated Wheaton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Getting hurt on the job can be extremely frustrating, particularly when your employee could have taken steps to prevent your injury from taking place. When you slip and fall at work, you may sustain debilitating and life-long injuries. When you cannot work because of an injury, you are likely paying costly medical bills on top of dealing with lost wages. It is important to learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim in DuPage County to seek compensation for your losses. A dedicated Wheaton workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you. Contact Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices to discuss your options.