Workers’ Compensation for Retail Work Injury in Charlotte

Charlotte is the perfect place for those looking for a little retail therapy, but what about the workers inside these establishments? What happens when they suffer an injury? At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we are here to help folks better understand how workers’ compensation for a retail work injury in Charlotte is designed. From working at the Louis Vuitton store in South Park Mall to a small business in Optimist Hall, benefits are available for your injuries.

Retail jobs are more demanding than they are often given credit for. Employees in this industry are met with several challenges, from having to deal with strange hours to stocking shelves and dealing with high-stress situations and difficult customers; workplace accidents and injuries can occur and leave people wondering what their options are. Thankfully, there is compensation available for retail workers, and an attorney can help you secure your right to this compensation.

Common Accidents Faced by Charlotte Retail Workers

In 2022, the retail industry provided employment to 55 million people across the country. Charlotte plays host to several hubs of retail, from large malls to outlet establishments to small businesses like coffee shops along East Boulevard or bookshops on Park Road. While the risks posed to retail workers might not be as great as those posed to individuals in the construction industry or in utilities, accidents can still happen and leave people with severe injuries.

In fact, in 2022, the retail trade industry in North Carolina saw 16 deaths arising from accidents that occurred in these places of work. The most frequent causes of retail accidents in Charlotte include:

• Slips, trips, and falls: If your place of work has wet floors, uneven surfaces, cluttered aisles, or poor lighting in areas such as the stock room, this can lead to harmful slips, trips, and falls. These accidents can result in injuries such as broken bones, cuts, bruises, or lacerations, head injuries, damage to the spinal cord, and internal organ damage. Fatalities might also occur.
• Violence: One of the leading causes of death in the workplace is violence, and retail workers face this more than most. Factors that can place retail establishments at higher risk for violence in Charlotte include how large the staff is, the presence of cash or other valuables on the premises, and the exposure to the public in the retail place. Stores most susceptible to violence might include liquor stores.
• Repetitive motion or stress: Workers in the retail sector spend much of their time standing, reaching, or lifting. These tasks can lead individuals to endure repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back pain. They may also be more prone to suffer strains or sprains.
• Falling objects: Workers in retail will often be surrounded by shelves holding products, such as bottles of wine, books, or electronics. When these items fall from the shelves and strike a worker, they can cause severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, damage to the spinal cord, concussions, paralysis, and even death.

Benefits Provided by Workers’ Compensation to Injured Retail Employees in Charlotte

When you suffer a work injury at a retail establishment, you might be entitled to certain benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. The most frequent benefits available include:

• Medical expenses, including any hospital stays, treatments, doctor’s visits, surgeries, diagnostic testing, and medication.
• Lost income or the loss of your future earning capacity should you become temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to go back to work and earn a wage.
• Certain wrongful death benefits if you have lost a loved one to a retail work injury. These benefits might include funeral or burial costs and any medical expenses related to your loved one’s injury before they passed.

FAQs

Q: How Prevalent Are Workplace Injuries in the Retail Industry?

A: In the country, retail injuries are some of the most frequent injuries that can occur in the workplace. According to one study, 3.5 workplace injuries or illnesses affect every 100 retail workers nationwide. This makes up a large portion of the overall workplace incidents taking place in the country and shows an increasing need for workers’ compensation benefits in this industry.

Q: Can I File a Negligence Claim Against My Employer in NC?

A: No, in North Carolina, you are not able to file a legal claim of negligence against your employer when you suffer a workplace injury. This is due to the fact that your employer most likely carries workers’ compensation insurance, and you will be able to seek compensation under this instead of needing to go through the steps of a negligence claim.

Q: What Do I Need to Do After a Work Injury Accident in Charlotte?

A: After suffering a work injury accident in Charlotte, there are several steps you can take that can help protect your own health and also the health and validity of a future workers’ compensation claim. First, you will want to report the accident to your supervisor and seek medical treatment. You will want to follow all the orders provided by your doctor and also keep track of all your pertinent medical records.

Q: How Can a Work Injury Lawyer Help Me?

A: A work injury lawyer can help you in several ways. First, they can review all the details of your accident and help determine the value of your claim. They can then assist in the proper filling out of all claim paperwork and ensure that it is turned in by the deadline. An attorney can then enter into negotiations with your employer and their insurance company to ensure you receive the maximum amount of benefits possible.

Speak With a Trusted Retail Work Injury Lawyer Serving Charlotte Today

If you are a retail worker in Charlotte and were injured while on the job, the good news is that you do not need to seek compensation alone. The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler are here to walk you through every step. Whether you broke your arm slipping and falling on the wet floors at Concord Mills or sprained your ankle stocking shelves at a small gift shop downtown, we are here to help. Contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation.