Helping Injured Retail Workers Claim the Compensation They Deserve

When most people think of dangerous jobs, the retail industry may not initially come to mind. However, retail workers are at a surprisingly high risk of injury and illness. In fact, retail workers experienced a higher injury and illness rate than construction workers in 2016, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report.

In Pennsylvania, retail workers, including seasonal and part-time workers, are eligible to receive workers’ compensation for their work-related injuries and illnesses.

The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates have represented retail industry workers for over 40 years. We know what it takes to file a successful claim, and have sought compensation for all types of retail worker injuries, including:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD): This type of injury is the most common among retail workers. MSDs develop from injuries affecting the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints.

Retail workers are often lifting heavy boxes and stocking shelves, which can lead to back pain and injuries. Also, standing for long periods of time on a hard surface, as store clerks often do, can lead to chronic back, knee, or hip conditions.

Repetitive motion injuries: Checkout clerks scan barcodes over and over again for the duration of their shifts. This type of repetition can lead to repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the most common injuries among retail workers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when excessive pressure is placed on the median nerve in the wrist, eventually causing weakened grip strength, shrinking of the hand muscles, and loss of feeling and coordination.

Slips, trips and falls: Slips, trips and falls are the second most common cause of lost-workday injuries in general industry, and the third most common in the wholesale and retail trade, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH points to several workplace factors that increase workers’ risk of sustaining injuries from a slip, trip or fall accident, including: spills; ice; snow or rain; loose mats or rugs; obstructive boxes or containers; poor lighting; and hazardous walking surfaces.

Violence: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly two million U.S. workers report having been the victim of workplace violence each year. Research shows that certain factors, such as exchanging money with the public and working late at night, increases workers’ risk of violent assault. Retail workers may be victims of armed robberies, especially when the store is located in a high-crime area, they are working alone, or the parking lot is poorly lit.