Hit By A Pallet Jack While At Work Lawsuit

Working in a store sounds like a great job with few risks of serious injury. However, that is not true when working in a busy Lowes or Home Depot, where countless pallet jacks are zipping around the store loaded with massive piles of inventory. While these pieces of equipment save countless hours that would be spent moving small items one at a time by hand, they pose a significant risk to anyone who could be in the way as it comes into an aisle. There is even the potential to have large boxes fall from the pallet being moved, which could cause a severe injury.

When you are working in a store that uses a pallet jack, it is vital that you understand how these units work and the challenges faced by the operator. Pallets of large or heavy objects are loaded onto the front of the pallet jack using forks. Even when another staff member is guiding the pallet jack operator, the load can be off-center or less secure than is ideal and safe. Then the pallet is carried to its new location in front of the driver and pallet jack. The fact that the load could be blocking the operator’s view is a serious safety concern for anyone in the area. It takes just a fraction of a second for an innocent bystander to be hit by a pallet jack and severely injured.

If you have suffered an injury because you were hit by a pallet jack while at work, the legal team at Normandie Law Firm is here to help. Our hit by a pallet jack while at work lawyers are available 24/7 to help you understand your rights as an injured employee of Home Depot or Lowes and how to secure the benefits you are entitled to from worker’s compensation. In addition, our staff will inform you of any extenuating circumstances that would allow you to file a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit to seek additional compensation from your employer. Contact Normandie Law Firm today to request your free consultation with an expert workplace injury lawyer.

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All You Need To Know About California Worker’s Compensation
As an employee in California, you are fortunate to be covered by one of the country’s best worker’s compensation programs. Employers fund the program, so workers are covered at no cost to themselves, even if they use the benefits. And employers are required by law to purchase this insurance to ensure all workers in the state have access to quality health care and other benefits should they suffer a workplace injury.

When you are injured on the job, your potential benefits from worker’s comp include:

• Medical care coverage for up to $1M in services to treat workplace injuries
• Partial payment or your lost wages while you recover – the maximum is 66% of your average earnings
• If the injuries are severe and prevent you from ever working again, you could receive permanent wage replacement and vocational training opportunities
• In the event of a worker being killed on the job, death benefits are paid to the family of the deceased worker

All employees must know they have the right to seek medical care after suffering an injury at work and use their worker’s comp benefits to pay for the treatment. And that your employer is not allowed to deny your benefits or punish you for using them. You have every right to seek a medical evaluation and care after being hit by a pallet jack while at work, and using worker’s comp to pay for your treatment.

Injuries Suffered When Hit By A Pallet Jack Can Be Severe
If you see a pallet jack slowly moving through your Home Depot or Lowes store, you might wonder how that piece of equipment could injure anyone. You should have more than enough time to get out of the way. However, it is essential to note that these devices can move quickly and be very unsafe if the operator is not being properly cautious.

The injuries sustained when hit by a pallet jack while at work can include:

• Fractured or broken bones
• Dislocated joints
• Damage to soft tissue and nerves
• Compression or crushing injuries
• Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
• Internal bleeding
• Damage to internal organs
• Damage to the neck, back, and spinal cord
• Severe skin abrasions and burns
• Facial injuries to the skin, nose, eyes, ears, mouth, and teeth
• Head injuries ranging from a skull fracture or concussion to a brain hemorrhage or contusion, or other traumatic brain injuries

The results of these injuries can be life-altering, especially when the injuries are internal and not immediately visible or detectable. Seeking medical care after being hit by a pallet jack while at work is vital for your long-term health and safety. And you always have the right to request medical care via worker’s comp after any workplace injury.

California Worker’s Comp Benefits Employers As Well As Employees
Understanding the benefits worker’s comp provides for an injured employee creates a feeling of confidence and peace of mind for workers. They know they can get the care needed without the added stress of potentially substantial medical bills if injured while at work. And they have the ability to receive part of their lost wages to help pay living expenses while they heal. But the benefits can appear one-sided in favor of the employee, but this is not true. The employer does receive a significant benefit.

When an employee is hurt at work, using worker’s comp to pay for their medical care is easy. But some employees want to know if they could receive more money if they were to file a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit against their employer. However, that is not allowed in most cases. Typically, the employee is only entitled to the worker’s comp benefits and is prevented from filing a civil lawsuit against their employer to receive more money or other benefits.

The only exception to this rule is when there is gross negligence on the employer’s part that results in employee injury. For example, if the employer altered the pallet jack so it could carry a larger load but also block more of the operator’s view, this could be considered a grossly negligent act. If you have any questions about negligence impacting your ability to sue your employer in a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit, the staff at Normandie Law Firm will examine the situation.

How To File A Worker’s Comp Claim
In most cases, an injured employee will notify their employer immediately, or a co-worker will take that action for them. When emergency medical care is required, 911 is called, and you can tell the medical care providers that the injuries were caused while you were at work. This typically is their cue to document all services as a worker’s comp claim. However, your employer should also contact worker’s comp to open the claim and verify their information.

If you are seeking medical care on your own, then let your care provider know the injuries occurred at work. They often only request your employer’s contact information to begin processing the billing to worker’s comp. Then ask your employer if they opened a claim with worker’s comp for you. If they did not or are unwilling to do so on your behalf, you can contact worker’s comp on your own or work with Normandie Law Firm to open the claim.

It is essential to know that you have only 30 days from the date of the workplace injury to contact workers comp and open the claim. If you wait longer, the claim is very likely to be denied.

How Much Is My Hit By A Pallet Jack While At Work Claim Worth?
Unlike a typical civil lawsuit, the value of your worker’s comp claim is limited to the cost of your medical expenses related to the injuries and your partial lost wages. There is no compensation for damaged personal property or pain and suffering as is possible in a standard lawsuit. Only if gross negligence is involved in your injuries will you be able to seek additional compensation to increase the value of your final compensation for your injuries.

Why Work With Normandie Law Firm?
When exploring the option of a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit, it can be challenging to understand your rights and whom to trust for reliable information. The staff at Normandie Law Firm is here to provide the answers you need to know if a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit is possible. In addition, we never charge our clients any upfront legal fees to prepare their case and file it with the court system.

Instead, we only get paid after we have completed our work and have delivered the settlement or verdict you deserve for your injuries. This allows you to pay your legal fees with the money you receive. And if we fail to win your case, you owe us nothing. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with Normandie Law Firm if you have suffered a pallet jack injury at work to help you determine if a hit by a pallet jack while at work lawsuit is the best way for you to proceed due to the negligence of your employer.

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