Pittsburgh Retail Injury Lawyers
Fighting for work injury benefits on behalf of injured retail employees
People of all ages work in retail. Retail work includes more than ringing the cash registers. Workers need to store, retrieve, and display the inventory. They need to deal with all types of customers – from pleasant to unruly. Retail workers may need to sew and cut inventory or open and seal packages. Some retail work includes exposure to cleaning products that may contain toxic chemicals.
At Carmody and Ging, Attorneys at Law, our Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyers understand how much retail workers need to work to have a place to live, buy food, and pay for their other daily living expenses. We understand how concerned you are that your injuries may never fully heal or take a long time to heal. Our Western Pennsylvania work injury lawyers fight to have your employer pay all your medical bills and the full share of lost wages that Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law permits. We’ve helped many workers obtain just recoveries.
Free Case Evaluation
What would you like to know?
- What does Pittsburgh retail work involve?
- What are common types of retail accidents?
- What types of injuries do retail workers suffer?
- Am I entitled to workers’ compensation after a Pittsburgh retail job accident?
- What if my Pittsburgh employer tries to deny or limit my retail workers’ comp claim?
- Do you have a retail workers’ compensation lawyer near me?
What does Pittsburgh retail work involve?
Retail involves the sale of goods by businesses directly to consumers. Retail includes sales with a physical structure/building. It can also include online shopping. Some of the many types of retail businesses include grocery stores, department stores, pet stores, vehicle sales, superstores, gardening, dollar stores, and many more.
Retail job duties include stocking shelves, removing and transferring inventories, handling cash registers, marketing, and management.
What are common types of retail accidents?
Employers should follow standard safety protocols for their type of products and sales methods. Retail employees in Pittsburgh may sustain work injuries for many reasons, including:
- Falls due to torn carpets, broken tiles, and slippery surfaces
- Falls due to merchandise, debris, or wires on the floor
- Merchandise that falls from the shelves onto an employee
- Falls or accidents while on ladders or scaffolds
- Accidents while making customer deliveries
- Repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Accidents while working with sharp tools, like box cutters and scissors
- Exposure to chemical toxins in cleaning products
- Violent acts by patrons or intruders
Restaurant work, including fast food services, is also a form of retail. Employees who work in restaurants may be injured while working with stoves or just by carrying hot dishes and scalding liquids.
What types of injuries do retail workers suffer?
Some retail injuries can require that you lose time from work for a significant amount of time while you seek medical care. There are retail workers who can never return to their job again because they have permanent injuries. Our Pittsburgh retail injury lawyers fight for all injured employees, including those with long-term and permanent injuries.
Retail injuries include:
- Strains and sprains. Many retail workers suffer back, neck, shoulder, and hand injuries. Just lifting or pushing one heavy object can cause a sprain or strain that sends you to the emergency room.
- Fractures/broken bones. A slip and fall or trip and fall can cause broken arms, compound leg fractures, and many other types of broken bones.
- Cuts, lacerations, and puncture woods. Opening packaged products or handling certain types of sharp objects can cause deep wounds that need immediate attention to prevent infections and treat the bleeding.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Falls and vehicle accidents can cause an employee to strike their head on the ground, a dashboard, or other objects. TBIs often cause cognitive damage in addition to physical and emotional trauma.
- Backaches and leg cramps. Many retail workers stand most of the day. Excess standing, especially without rest breaks, can cause muscle damage and other injuries.
Other injuries include spinal cord damage, burn injuries, soft tissue damage, and other injuries that require time off from work.
Am I entitled to workers’ compensation after a Pittsburgh retail job accident?
Generally, to qualify for workers’ compensation, you must be an employee. Independent contractors usually don’t qualify unless we can show that the contractor is legally an employee. Our Pittsburgh retail injury lawyers understand the factors such as who controls your work hours that show you are really an employee.
Workers’ compensation benefits apply only when your injury occurred during the scope of your job duties. The good news is that you do not need to prove the employer was negligent, and you can generally recover benefits if your injury occurred due to your own mistake. However, you will likely be barred from workers’ comp if your accident was a result of your own intoxication or intentional recklessness.
What medical benefits can I claim?
Injured retail workers in Pittsburgh are entitled to payment of all the medical expenses to diagnose their condition, treat their condition so the worker can maximize his/her health, and continue to treat the injuries so they don’t get worse.
Medical compensation includes emergency room care, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapy, assistive devices, and medications.
In Pennsylvania, you need to start your treatment with a list of doctors provided by the employer. At Carmody and Ging, we’ll explain when you have the right to shift to doctors of your own choosing.
What wage loss benefits can I claim?
There are two levels of wage benefits:
- Temporary disability benefits. These benefits are paid while you are working to maximum your health. Generally, they are 2/3 of your average weekly wages, though the amount may be capped if you’re a high wage-earner.
- Permanent disability benefits. Once you reach the point of maximum medical improvement, your injuries are evaluated to determine if they qualify for additional permanent disability payments, depending on the type of injury you have and the level of impairment. These wage benefits are normally also 2/3 of your pay for a specific number of weeks.
In some cases, workers may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits.
What if my Pittsburgh employer tries to deny or limit my retail workers’ comp claim?
Our Pittsburgh retail injury lawyers understand the strategies employers and their insurance companies use to try to deny your claim. Some of these strategies include arguing that:
- You had a pre-existing injury.
- The injury happened outside the scope of employment.
- Your injuries have healed enough that you can return to work.
- You failed to look for work if none was currently available with your employer.
At Carmody and Ging, we’re skilled at showing why these defenses should not apply to your situation.
Do you have a retail workers’ compensation lawyer near me?
Carmody and Ging is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building. We’re right across the street from Penn Brewery. There should be parking onsite. If you don’t have a car or can’t drive, you can take the bus to the Troy Hill Road. We’re around the corner.
We also conduct video conferences and do meet clients who are immobile away from the office.
Our lawyers anticipate the tricks and strategies employers try to use to prevent you from obtaining all you deserve. We’ll fight to ensure you obtain a full and just recovery.
Speak with a seasoned Pittsburgh retail workers’ compensation lawyer now
Many retail workers live paycheck to paycheck. Even a small amount of time off can mean a lot of financial pressure. If you have an injury caused by your job, you have the right to return to work when you’re healthy; not because your employer demands that you do your job now.
At Carmody and Ging, our Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyers calmly and clearly guide you through the claims process. We fight for every dollar you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, please call 412.281.2929 or fill out our contact form. We take great pride in helping Allegheny County workers obtain the benefits they need.
