Injured While Working at Kroger? We Can Help.

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Kroger has 211 retail stores and employs 35,954 associates in Ohio. The supermarket chain operates across the state, and as experienced work injury lawyers, we know how common it is for workers to be injured by:

  • Slips and falls
  • Falling boxes
  • Improper lifting techniques
  • Malfunctioning equipment or vehicles

You can become injured at any job, but as a Kroger employee, you can be hurt while in the freezer, at a distribution center, or carrying boxes – anywhere. 

If you’re injured on the job, you have rights and shouldn’t have to worry about medical bills or lost wages.

At Schaffer & Associates, LPA, we have offices in Toledo and Findlay, where our legal team can review your claim and help you with any workers’ compensation claims you may have.

Contact us to discuss your Kroger workplace accident 

What Should You Do If You’re Injured on The Job While Working at Kroger?

Your first step after any workplace injury is to alert your supervisor and file a report. Supervisors should provide the necessary information to make a report. You’ll need to seek medical attention for:

  • Diagnosis
  • Work restrictions
  • Treatment

A common mistake that workers make is not reporting an incident as soon as possible. Legally, you have one year from your date of injury to file a claim. However, the longer you wait to report an incident, the more likely your claim may be denied. Insurers may deny a claim that isn’t reported quickly on the grounds that they don’t know when the injury occurred.

You’ll need to prove that your injuries weren’t related to something that happened after the incident occurred, or due to a preexisting condition.

Seeking prompt medical care allows you to have an early diagnosis that connects your injuries to the workplace incident.

You’ll want to:

  • Comply with all care recommendations from the doctor
  • Maintain any follow-up visits the physician recommends

If you follow these basic steps, you’ll strengthen your claim and be well on the way to healing from your injuries.

Note: Kroger may request you to go to a specific hospital for treatment. However, In Ohio, you have free choice of physician. 

How To File an Injured Workers’ Claim in Ohio

Workers’ compensation claims can be filed by your work injury lawyer, and we can protect your rights if the claim is not accepted. Your medical provider may file a claim on your behalf, and this filing should occur within 24 hours of your visit.

Additionally, you can file your claim online or follow the guidelines on the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s official site. You will need to provide medical support.

Why Is an Attorney Helpful When Navigating a Kroger Workplace Injury Claim?

If your claim is denied, it may prolong your access to treatment and increase your financial burden. Hiring an attorney provides peace of mind that you:

  • File the strongest initial claim possible
  • Supply all of the necessary documentation
  • Will not be led astray by your employer
  • Will receive full and fair compensation

A lawyer will work on your behalf, seek the benefits you deserve and work alongside you until the claim is approved. If the employer or insurer pushes back and does not want to approve a claim, your lawyer will help you navigate the next steps.

Is Having Workers’ Compensation Coverage Mandatory in Ohio?

Ohio employers with at least one employee are required by law to have workers’  coverage to protect employees when injured on the job.

Employers must provide coverage to employees from day one. 

Coverage can be purchased through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), but large businesses such as Kroger may be self-insured.

Several benefit options are available to workers, including:

  • Temporary total compensation, which may be awarded when an injury prevents an employee from returning to work. Benefits include ongoing financial compensation and assistance with creating a return-to-work plan.
  • Percentage of permanent partial disability, which may be offered when a work-related injury causes residual damage (permanent injury that can’t be resolved). This benefit is based on a percentage of their impairment.
  • Permanent total disability, which covers employees with injuries or illnesses that are so severe that they can never return to work. In this type of situation, benefits are paid for the worker’s lifetime.
  • Death benefits. If a work-related injury or accident is fatal, the employee’s survivors may qualify for death benefits.

An experienced attorney can help you understand all of the benefits that may be available to you and walk you through the steps of filing a claim.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?

In Ohio, necessary steps following a work injury are very different depending on whether the employer is self-insured or state-funded. 

Report the Injury or Illness

The first and most important step in the process is reporting the work-related injury or illness as soon as possible. 

When reporting your injuries, make sure that you provide a thorough explanation of how the injuries were sustained.

Get Treatment for Your Injuries

Once you’ve reported the injury, it is crucial to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Failing to seek immediate care can make your injury worse. 

Make sure that your doctor understands that you were injured at work so they can document your injuries properly. 

File the First Report of Injury (FROI)

The FROI will formally initiate the claim process for workers’ compensation. You can file it yourself, or the report can be filed by:

  • Your employer
  • Your medical care provider
  • Your work injury lawyer

In Ohio, you have up to one year from the date of the injury to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

When evaluating your claim, several factors will be taken into consideration, including:

  • The nature of the incident
  • Medical evidence detailing the injury
  • The diagnosis and treatment

Self-insured employers make the initial decision to accept or deny claims and diagnoses. If the self-insured employer does not agree, the issue can be heard by an Industrial Commission hearing officer. A claim will have to be filed with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation before a hearing can take place. 

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help You After Your Kroger Workplace Injury

Workplace injuries can disrupt your life and leave you feeling unsure of how to proceed. If you were injured while working at Kroger, you don’t have to go through the claim process alone. 

The experienced attorneys at Schaffer & Associates can serve as your guide, ensuring that your claim is supported by sufficient medical evidence and that your injuries receive the treatment they need. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.