Those Putting Food in Our Stores Have High Workplace Injury Rates
Workers in the country’s food distribution network have more injuries than those in other workplaces, according to a recent study. We couldn’t live without food, but most of us give little thought to those who make our meals possible.
If you’re injured on the job, you have rights to compensation, possibly from different sources. With more than 30 years of experience, the lawyers at Castillo & Associates have the necessary skills to handle the complex challenges of California workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Contact us today for more information on your rights and legal options if you’re injured at work.
Most California employers have workers’ compensation insurance, which benefits employees injured on the job. They can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability payments. If you are injured while working, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, no matter who’s at fault for the accident.
Working in Food Distribution is a Dangerous Job
The country’s food supply chain is one of the largest and most complex in the world. It involves a vast network of people, from migrant farm workers, farmers, and processors to distributors and retailers. They all play a critical role in getting food to our tables. They also, according to a new Penn State University study, have a high risk of work-related injuries.
College of Health and Human Development researchers analyzed federal Bureau of Labor Statistics injury data. They found that those who move products in the food supply chain are more likely to be injured than workers in other industries. These injuries range from minor sprains and strains to more severe issues like bone fractures and amputations.
There are many reasons for this high injury risk, including:
- The physical demands of the job, which often require moving heavy loads
- The use of heavy equipment and machinery
- The work is fast-paced
Often accidents and injuries have more than one cause. Someone under pressure to get a lot of work done may need to lift heavy objects correctly or drive a forklift too quickly and collide with something or someone.
Researchers also found that some of these workers have a higher risk of injury, including those who are:
- Younger, less experienced, and less knowledgeable about the job and how to do it safely
- Employed by smaller companies
- Working for non-unionized employers with fewer safety rules
Study authors made many suggestions to improve workplace safety, including:
- Implementing better training programs for workers and managers
- Improving safety protocols and equipment
- Increasing the use of automation and robotics to reduce the need for difficult manual labor
Wise employers will understand that, though these measures cost money, so do workplace injuries and lost productivity because a worker is out temporarily or permanently due to workplace accidents.
You May Have More Than a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Our distribution network moves massive amounts of food long distances in a relatively short time. That requires using heavy trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks, coordination, and communication with fellow workers. If your workplace injury cause is defective equipment or negligence by a contractor or supplier, you may also have a third-party claim against the responsible party.
Workers’ compensation benefits are relatively easier to obtain than recovery through a personal injury claim because you must show the other party is negligent and at fault. But workers’ comp benefits are limited, and they won’t compensate you for your physical pain and suffering and the emotional or psychological trauma you’re going through.
You might have a third-party personal injury claim against someone other than your employer or co-worker if they played a role in causing the accident. This may include:
- Being struck or injured in a truck or vehicle owned by another party or the driver is one of their employees
- Injuries caused by a defective forklift, pallet loader, or other machinery or their negligent operator worked for another company
- You’re hurt because of the negligence of a contractor or sub-contractor on your work site
These cases can be complex because you would be dealing with multiple insurance companies and trying to get compensation under different laws for different reasons. Our attorneys and staff investigate workplace accidents, gather evidence, and work with experts to determine what you may recover, who may be liable, and the best approaches for you and your family.
Speak to the Experienced Workers’ Compensation Law Firm of Castillo & Associates Today
If you’re injured while working in California’s food distribution industry, you must understand your legal options and know how to protect your rights:
- Workers’ compensation provides for healthcare and some financial relief, but they won’t fully compensate you for your injuries and losses
- A third-party claim can provide additional compensation and may be an essential part of your financial, physical, and emotional recovery
When you hire the lawyers at Castillo & Associates, you’ll be represented and protected by highly experienced attorneys with more than 45 years of combined trial experience and thousands of hours handling workers’ compensation claims and being before judges advocating and fighting for your rights.
With the worker’s compensation attorneys from Castillo & Associates on your side, you can focus on your family and recovery. If you are an injured worker, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Attorney Domingo Castillo handles workers’ compensation, personal injury, family law & immigration throughout Southern California from our 5 offices: Indio, Pomona, Riverside, San Diego & Cathedral City. We help clients file injury claims, obtain residency & citizenship, and we assist families through divorce, child custody and all family law matters.
