How injured fast-food employees can be compensated for a workplace accident or occupational illness
Children and adults worldwide recognize McDonald’s as one of the most popular fast-food chains across the globe. A brand that large naturally employs tens of thousands of workers. More than 210,000 people work for McDonald’s worldwide. Approximately 10,000 of those employees reside and work in Arizona.
Similar to employees who work in other fast-food work environments, McDonald’s workers face certain hazards throughout the course of the average workday. Fast-food employees who become injured while at work should immediately contact an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about protecting their rights and receiving fair, ethical compensation for their injuries.
Types of McDonald’s workplace accidents
Employees play several roles in fast-food settings. The typical McDonald’s restaurant has at least 1 employee working in each of the following roles: cashier, drive-thru attendant, food cook and prepping and cleaning work areas. Employees may have 1 or 2 assigned roles, or they may all work in roles as required by the restaurant manager.
While there is some overlap, different positions may sometimes expose employees to slightly different risks. For example, the floor surface in the grilling and frying area may be slippery if oil spills. Workers who cook food may also be exposed to conditions that place them at risk of burns. An employee who is responsible for lifting heavy boxes of supplies may suffer a back injury or be injured if supplies fall from a high shelf and strike a part of the worker’s body. Virtually any employee may slip and fall on a recently mopped floor if proper signage is absent.
Our attorneys are experienced in representing fast-food employees in workers’ compensation cases. We can help injured workers understand McDonald’s injury policy and recommend the most favorable legal solutions.
Common fast-food employee injuries
Due to the rapid-paced nature of fast-food restaurants, employee injuries often happen as a result of overlooked safety procedures or a high-pressure work environment. Recent years have revealed an uptick in workplace violence and wrongful deaths in fast-food settings.
While social media platforms sometimes depict the violent conflict between customers and employees, the bigger risk comes from vulnerability to crime. McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants are susceptible to burglaries and robberies.
Cleanliness is a top priority in most restaurant chains. Therefore, fast-food restaurants must frequently sanitize bathrooms and common areas. As a result, employees are sometimes exposed to harsh cleaning chemicals during the course of their shifts.
Restaurants are also constantly receiving shipments of food products and supplies. Workers who keep food and supply areas stocked are at risk of straining a muscle or boxes falling and crushing them.
Whether you have suffered a debilitating back injury or you were the victim of a physical altercation in your workplace, our attorneys can help you determine the type of compensation you deserve.
Types of compensation injured workers may receive
Workers who are injured in fast-food settings are entitled to receive certain types of benefits under Arizona’s workers’ compensation law. If a worker’s injury requires time off work for treatment or recovery, they may be considered temporarily totally disabled. In other cases, a worker’s injuries may cause temporary partial disability, or permanent total or partial disability.
Depending on the nature of the injury and degree of resulting disability, the worker is entitled to receive up to two-thirds of their weekly wage for a predetermined amount of time. Workers who have a permanent disability may be entitled to compensation.
In addition to compensating for lost time at work, workers’ compensation also pays medical expense benefits for current and future medical treatment and physical therapy related to the injury. For those whose expenses exceed the benefits they are offered through workers’ compensation, they should consult with an experienced work injury lawyer.
Questions and answers about compensation for a job-related accident, injury or illness in Arizona
What is McDonald’s injury policy?
McDonald’s, like any other employer in Arizona, is required to adhere to state laws regarding workplace injuries, which include providing workers’ compensation insurance for their employees.
However, it also has specific policies and requirements for employees after sustaining an injury, which can vary by location and franchise ownership.
In general, McDonald’s requires its employees to sign a commitment to follow established safety procedures within their department and report any work-related accidents or injuries to a supervisor immediately after they occur.
In situations of medical emergencies, the injured worker should be taken to the nearest medical facility, or emergency services should be called.
For non-emergency injuries, treatment must be sought from a medical provider authorized by the employer or their insurance company, who will manage the necessary medical care, treatments, and any related prescriptions.
Please note that in the vast majority of cases, signing a commitment to follow McDonald’s safety policies does not prevent an employee from filing a workers’ comp claim and getting benefits in Arizona, even if the accident that caused the injury was the worker’s fault.
Filing a McDonald’s workers’ compensation claim in Arizona
If you suffer an injury while working at McDonald’s or at any other fast-food establishment, you should immediately notify your employer. Next, contact an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney. Your employer may encourage you to proceed through the workers’ comp process on your own. However, we advise speaking to an attorney prior to making the decision to file your claim on your own or accepting a settlement offer.
Our attorneys will carefully evaluate the facts of your case and help you determine the best approach to receiving the compensation you deserve. In some instances, workers are legally entitled to more compensation than initially offered. Your employer is unlikely to advise you of your full selection of legal options that may potentially cost them more money. Our attorneys will advocate for you, advise you of the best options and fight on your behalf for a settlement or judgment that best meets your needs.
Injured workers often feel overwhelmed and would rather not focus on the legal implications of their workplace accident. The Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski are here to do the legal legwork so you can focus on healing.
