Seasoned Chattanooga Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Helping Injured Retail Employees

Protecting the rights of retail and grocery workers in Tennessee and North Georgia

Tennessee is the home base of companies like AutoZone, Dollar General and Tractor Supply. There are about 15 grocery stores in Chattanooga alone – and that’s if you don’t count Walmart or Target, or other Big Box stores that sell food items. If you do count them, there are at least 13 more groceries in the area.

And those are just national chains. Between the gift shops and the clothing stores and the local coffee shops, almost anywhere you turn in this town, you can find someone in the retail business. It’s one of the most important economic sectors in this city. That is why Wagner & Wagner Attorneys at Law has been helping injured retail workers in Tennessee and North Georgia for more than 70 years. Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers know that without you, our city can’t thrive. If you were hurt while working, let us help.

Why should I hire you if I have been hurt at work?

Wagner & Wagner has always stood by the worker. Since 1945, our family has been right here, offering compassionate but practical counsel to injured workers. We know what a vital part of the community you are, because we’re a part of this community, too.

You can trust us to help you file the appropriate paperwork, collect and analyze your medical records, talk to any witnesses, and deal with your company’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. We can help you find and meet with the right doctors, help you with towing and rental costs (if your injury occurred while you were driving), and support you in your quest to find a good therapist or even child care. In short, we handle all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on getting well.

If you tried to apply for compensation but were denied, we can help there, too. Our attorneys will represent you in hearings and in appeals. We’re admitted to practice in state and federal courts, so no matter how far your case needs to go, we will be there, right beside you.

Common injuries in the retail and grocery business

Out of every 1000 workers in the greater Chattanooga area, which include North Georgia, 28.7 people work as cashiers, 32.4 are retail salespeople, and 30 work in food prep and sales (including behind the counter at your local fast food restaurant). Another seven work as delivery drivers, and about 18.8 deal with freight, stock and materials. We are looking at a bare minimum of 127 people out of every 1000 who work in the retail industry as stockers, drivers, cashiers, etc.

So many moving parts means a greater risk of injury. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel, often from constantly scanning items
• Overexertion injuries like strains and sprains, from working fast to complete a set number of tasks
• Back injuries, often from repeated lifting and bending
• Head and brain injuries, from having objects fall on you
• Slip-and-fall related injuries
• Crushing and caught-between injuries, especially when using forklifts or pallet jacks
• Toxic exposure to cleaning supplies or other chemicals
• Burn injuries, including scalding, related to hot food and drinks
• Heat stroke or hypothermia, when working in extreme temperatures

Of all the risks employees face, however, some of the most serious – and the most common – arise from motor vehicle collisions. Delivery truck drivers are the most at-risk, but anyone who is traveling as part of their job duties can file for workers’ compensation (barring some exceptions). If your boss asks you to run over and pick up some paperwork from another chain in your company, or if you are traveling to a mandatory meeting offsite, you can still make a claim for benefits if you get into a car crash.

Workers’ compensation or personal injury lawsuit?

Not all workers are covered under the state’s workers’ compensation program. If your boss employs fewer than 5 people, he or she may have waived workers’ comp. Likewise, if you are an independent contractor, you are not eligible for benefits. Instead, you will need to file a personal injury claim to secure compensation if you are hurt.

If you are an eligible employee, however, you might still want to file a personal injury lawsuit. For example, say you are stocking shelves at the local Food Lion, and the shelves come crashing down on your foot, breaking some bones. During the investigation into your injury, it is discovered that the shelves were defective. In this case, you may want to a third-party claim against the manufacturer of the shelving unit. If you win your lawsuit or accept a settlement, you will be required to pay back some of your compensation benefits; however, you may be able to secure a larger payout than you would if you had only filed for workers’ compensation. During your initial consultation with a lawyer at our firm, we can review these options with you, and help you make the best decision for your needs.

The Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers you can trust

Wagner & Wagner Attorneys at Law offers comprehensive counsel and straight talk about your best options if you were injured at work. Let our Chattanooga workers’ compensation attorneys help you get back up on your feet. To schedule your free initial consultation, please call 423-756-7923 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients in North Georgia, Cleveland, TN, Chattanooga and all surrounding counties.