How to get maximum compensation after a work injury at Target
Target currently employs over 450,000 people across the U.S. It’s one of the biggest retail empires, following closely behind Walmart and Amazon. Out of their 1,926 stores, 7 are located in Montana.
Employees at Target fulfill a wide range of jobs and responsibilities that come with a variety of risks and potential injuries.
Common on-the-job injuries at Target
Most supermarkets and retail stores share similar hazards that can cause the same types of injuries. Some of the most common injuries experienced by Target employees include the following:
- Repetitive stress injuries (RSI), such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Slip-and-fall injuries, such as broken bones
- Overexertion injuries, such as pulled muscles
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Head and brain injuries, such as concussions
- Back injuries, such as herniated discs
These injuries frequently result from lifting or pushing heavy items while stocking, bagging merchandise or putting away carts. Workers are also susceptible to tripping hazards from congested aisles and slipping on wet floors.
Regardless of whether you were injured from a workplace hazard or due to the nature of your job duties, most Target workers are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits for their accidents and injuries.
This is because Montana’s workers’ compensation program is a no-fault system, which means that workers don’t have to prove their employer was at fault in order to receive workers’ comp benefits.
What benefits are available to injured Target workers?
Getting injured is always a stressful experience, and this stress is often compounded when your injury prevents you from working. You may be worried about mounting medical expenses and have difficulty paying your bills.
Fortunately, workers’ compensation provides benefits to injured workers during their recovery if they’re unable to work or can only work in a limited capacity. These benefits include reimbursement for:
- Medical treatment. This includes doctor’s appointments, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation and any necessary medical devices.
- Disability payments (temporary or permanent, partial or total). This amount varies depending on the nature and severity of your injury.
- Lost wages. This includes past and future lost earnings.
- Death benefits for certain dependents.
Although every situation is unique, an experienced workers’ comp attorney can give you an estimate of how much compensation you may be eligible to receive based on cases involving similar injuries.
How to file a workers’ compensation claim in Montana
As a Target employee, there are steps that must be followed in order to be eligible for compensation. Here’s what you need to know:
- Any on-the-job injury or occupational disease should be reported to your employer as soon as possible. You only have 30 days after an accident to file this report (or 1 year from the date you knew about or discovered an occupational disease).
- You must also submit a First Report of Injury (FROI) document to your employer, their workers’ compensation insurer or the Montana Department of Labor and Industry within 12 months of the date of the accident or occupational disease.
After the insurer receives your FROI, they have 30 days to accept or deny your claim. Failure to adhere to these deadlines will prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries.
What documents should I bring to a consultation with a workers’ comp attorney?
To ensure the best possible outcome and give your attorney a clear understanding of your case, you should collect the following documentation before meeting with a workers’ compensation lawyer, including:
- Receipts for medical bills, prescriptions or medical devices related to your injury
- Any medical documentation of your illness or injury
- Proof of missed work and lost wages
- A copy of the accident report
- Witness statements
The more evidence and detailed documents you can provide, the more likely you are to have a valid claim. If you went to the emergency room after your injury, request a copy of the medical records from the treating physician. This will help establish a direct link between your injury and your work accident.
Unfortunately, legitimate workers’ compensation claims are denied every day because of a lack of evidence. It’s not uncommon for an employer or insurance company to claim that your injury was the result of a pre-existing condition rather than a workplace accident.
In those situations, your medical records and witness statements can make all the difference between receiving benefits and having them denied.
When to consult a Montana workers’ compensation lawyer
Workers’ compensation cases can be complicated, especially when you’re dealing with a large corporation like Target. The goal of many companies and insurance agencies is to get you to accept the least amount possible for your injury, and they often try to take advantage of injured workers who don’t have legal representation.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure that all filing deadlines and procedures are followed so that you get the compensation you deserve.
