Sam’s Club Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Sam’s Club is an essential store that provides New Jersey residents with household goods. As a part-time or full-time Sam’s Club member, a person could unexpectedly obtain a serious injury while at work. A worker could be cutting meat and accidentally cut themselves, stack shelves with products while on a ladder, or possibly fall from a chemical spillage on the store floor. 

Sam’s West, Inc., also known as Sam’s Club, is a membership-only retail warehouse club owned and operated by Walmart Inc. As of January 31, 2022, Sam’s Club operates 600 warehouse clubs in 44 states and Puerto Rico. Every day, an unexpected accident could happen at Sam’s Club. The likelihood of an accident increases depending on the duties of a specific position. 

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we will help you get your deserved benefits after experiencing an on-the-job injury. We have over 35 years of experience handling workers’ compensation claims. Contact us through our online form or give us a call at 973-920-7900.

Types of Job Positions at Sam’s Club include:

• Store Associate
• Cashier
• Store Manager/ Lead Supervisor
• Maintenance Crew/ Custodians
• Staff Pharmacist
• Merchandising Lead
• Fresh Meat Lead 
• Forklift Merchandising Associate
• Baker and Packager Associate
• Produce Associate
• Meat Cutter Associate
• Cake Decorator

Many of these jobs require physical activity for the duration of a worker’s shift, resulting in an accident. It only takes a split second for an accident to happen. A worker in the meat department could slip and fall on a wet floor, a store stocker could fall off a ladder while reaching to straighten out the top level of a display shelf, or a forklift operator could accidentally drop a load on someone in the warehouse.

How would you pay your bills if you were hurt while on your Sam’s Club shift? How are you going to manage at home? How long are you going to be off work? Who is going to pay for the medical expenses? Do you know how and when to file a workers’ compensation claim? It’s best to give us a call to go over your options and build an effective recovery plan. 

Worker Accidents at Sam’s Club

Sam’s Clubs workers can be involved in an accident by doing mundane tasks. Other tasks Sam’s Club workers may perform:

• Rotating products, removing stale dated items, and checking codes.
• Backstocking & Restocking must be kept up-to-date.
• Keeping displays and shelves clean, appealing, and well-stocked.
• Safely follow sanitation and health protocols.
• Sweeping, cleaning public and staff bathrooms, cleaning aisles, and other locations.
• Operating grocery equipment to ensure it is safe.

Many of these jobs require a great deal of physical activity, resulting in a mishap while at work. Most jobs store workers perform mean handling heavy items, shifting them, loading and unloading, stocking shelves using forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks, etc., and other equipment to move heavy objects, building and maintaining displays, and receiving training on the equipment used to do their jobs. 

Sam’s Club Workers Can Sustain Various Injuries on the Job

Sam’s Club workers can sustain various injuries. They can include, but are not limited to:

• Eye injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Burns and Electrocution
• Neck and Back Injuries 
• Repetitive Motion Injuries 
• Slips & Falls
• Lacerations & Punctured Wounds
• Strained, Sprained, or Torn Muscles 
• Rotator Cuff Injuries 
• Knee Injuries
• Broken & Fractured Bones
• Traumatic Brain Injury

A workers’ compensation claim is one way an injured worker can obtain compensation after a New Jersey workplace accident. The other way is through a third-party personal injury claim. These claims can be filed against a non-employer third party who was responsible for the worker’s injuries. Looking into third-party injury claims is important, as these can provide workers with additional damages, including those for their pain and suffering. For example, if you were injured due to defective equipment, the company that manufactured the machinery might be responsible. Another example would be when a worker, while on the job, is injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the fault of another. Your attorney can file a separate personal injury claim to pursue additional damages. 

Do I need a doctor’s approval to return to work?

It’s best to be evaluated by a medical professional, such as a doctor or specialist. They will be able to determine if you are okay to return to work. If you are cleared to return, you must return or lose your right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The same holds true when a doctor decides you can return to work with light-duty restrictions.

In some situations, you can challenge a doctor’s decision to return to work. If you are not fully recovered, you may question the decision. Returning to work too soon may mean sustaining a new injury or re-injuring yourself.

New Jersey Law Concerning Sam’s Club Workplace Accidents

The law states that all employers not covered by federal programs must have workers’ compensation coverage or be self-insured. If work-related injuries or death are on the job, the employer and other company officials are responsible for medical costs, temporary and permanent disability, or dependency benefits. 

What You Should Do if You Are Injured On the Job at Sam’s Club

Tell your manager immediately. Do not wait, as this may result in your workers’ compensation claim being denied. Tell your manager about your work injury right after it happens, or speak to a human resources representative, or other appropriate supervisor. 

Keep a total record of the time, date, place, and type of injury you sustained and to whom you reported your work injury. Ensure someone you work with knows about your accident and injury. You may be required to see a company doctor, who will arrange for you to have authorized treatment.  If you are told to see an authorized company doctor, you must, or your workers’ compensation claim may be denied. Keep in-depth records on all medical care received, including expenses, doctor visits, and other related costs and appointments.

If your injuries are severe, immediately get emergency medical care. Fill out all accident reports, and follow all required steps to fill out a workers’ compensation claim. Ask your manager or HR person if you do not know how to file a workers’ compensation claim. 

When filling out your workers’ compensation form, you need to include your full name, what your job is, what type of injury you sustained, when, where, and how the injury happened, and anyone else involved in the accident.

You Need to File a WC Claim for Sam’s Club 

Evidence to support your injury claim includes:

• Written, signed reports from reliable eyewitnesses.
• In-store videos (if available) from surveillance cameras.
• Pictures of the accident location.
• Doctor’s report outlining all injuries and expected recuperation time.
• Receipts for every medical treatment.
• Unpaid invoices for treatment already provided.
• Evidence you reported within the required deadline.
• Photos showing the cause of the accident.
• Pictures of your injuries.
• Proof the accident was reported.

If you need help compiling these documents, reach out to the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm workers’ compensation attorneys. We have decades of experience and can check your claim form with you.

It is essential to know that the most common reasons for denying workers’ compensation claims are failure to file your accident report by the set deadline and not having witnesses vouch that you hurt yourself at work. It is also important to note that a work accident that aggravates an initial or pre-existing condition is still compensable under the compensation law.

Contact the Experienced Workers’ Compensation Accident Lawyers at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Now! 

If you were recently injured at Sam’s Club in a workplace accident, this is undoubtedly a difficult time for you and your family. The workers’ compensation lawyers at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm understand the challenges you face and want to help protect your rights. We aggressively represent every client we serve, ensuring they recover the benefits they need to move on with their lives after a serious accident while on the job. Whether it be through a workers’ comp claim and/or a third-party personal injury case, our worker’s compensation and personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey.  To learn more about how we can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a free and confidential consultation. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.