Retail workers face a range of challenges in their line of work, from long hours to demanding customers. However, in some cases, interactions can escalate beyond mere frustration into violence.
For a retail worker who a customer has physically attacked, the immediate question becomes: “Am I entitled to compensation?” Retail workers can benefit from exploring the type of compensation they may receive and the legal avenues they can pursue.
Workers’ compensation for retail workers
When a retail worker is attacked on the job, one of the first avenues for compensation is workers’ compensation. In Florida, employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance, which provides coverage for employees injured on the job, including those harmed by customer attacks. Workers’ compensation typically covers:
- Medical expenses for treatment needed to recover from the injuries sustained in the attack
- A portion of lost wages if the worker is unable to return to work due to the injury
- Disability benefits for long-term or permanent injuries
- Rehabilitation costs if the worker requires physical therapy or vocational training
Affected retail workers should be aware that workers’ compensation is generally considered a “no-fault” system, meaning they don’t need to prove that the employer or anyone else was negligent to receive benefits.
Factors affecting compensation
Several factors can influence the amount of compensation a retail worker may receive after being attacked by a customer. For starters, the extent of the physical and emotional harm suffered by the worker will significantly impact the amount of damages they can recover. Affected retail workers should know that medical records, witness statements and other evidence are essential to support workers’ compensation claims.
Workers’ compensation benefits can ease the financial strain for retail employees recovering from an assault by a customer. Retail workers need to understand their rights and seek legal guidance to better explore this avenue of compensation.