With more than $450 billion in revenue, Walmart is the world’s biggest business. There are five Walmart stores in and around Sacramento, and it’s safe to say that about 1,000 people are employed at those stores at any given time. Many of their jobs are physically demanding.
Walmart is Self-Insured
California requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Walmart is so big that it’s self-insured. For purposes of processing personal injury and workers’ compensation claims against it, Walmart established a separate entity called Claims Management, Inc (CMI). If you’re injured at work with Walmart, don’t let CMI’s representatives fool you. When you’re dealing with CMI, you’re dealing with Walmart.
Walmart’s Short Arms and Deep Pockets
Nearly all companies pay for a policy of workers’ compensation insurance that covers employee work-related injuries. Two factors that the financial viability of an insurance company depends on are devaluing or denying claims. The general rule is that the insured employer doesn’t pay the cost of a settlement or award. It’s the insurance company that pays, but in Walmart’s case, Walmart is the insurance company. That fact motivates Walmart to make pursuing claims for workers’ compensation benefits as difficult as possible.
Types of Walmart Store Employee Injuries
Given the variety of goods and services available at any Sacramento area Walmart, there are many job descriptions that people might be employed in. They can range from a greeter to a stocker to an auto mechanic. Each such position carries its own risk of injury. Here are some common injuries suffered by Walmart store employees while on the job:
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Back injuries involving vertebrae, discs and nerves.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome limiting the use of the wrists, hands and fingers.
- Cartilage and joint injuries to the shoulders and knees.
- Strains and sprains.
Obtaining Workers’ Compensation Benefits from Walmart isn’t Easy
California’s workers’ compensation laws were put in place to provide ready access to medical treatment and lost wages by employees who were injured at work. Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits from Walmart after a work-related injury can be difficult though. CMI and Walmart make it that way. It’s not just a matter of reporting the injury and filing a claim form. Claims are routinely delayed and denied by CMI, and benefits are often woefully underpaid. That’s all pursuant to a claims strategy that’s intended to exhaust Walmart workers’ compensation claimants into giving up or settling cheap while maintaining Walmart’s bottom line. CMI is 100% loyal to Walmart. Without Walmart, CMI wouldn’t even exist.
We Don’t Care How Big Walmart Is
Injured Walmart employees can indeed recover the full value of their workers’ compensation claims against the company. Although Walmart could strenuously defend claims, an experienced and aggressive Sacramento workers’ compensation lawyer won’t be intimidated by its efforts.
Contact a Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
In almost all cases when someone is injured on the job, the worker will get the best possible outcome by hiring an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.
After suffering a work-related injury at Walmart, your injuries might not be immediately apparent, or they might just seem to minor. A full medical assessment of your condition is needed. The longer that you wait to be examined, the more time Walmart and CMI have to create defenses to your claim. Upon suffering a work-related injury at Walmart, you need to provide management with notice of your accident and injuries and get examined right away. Follow all medical instructions and contact us for a free consultation and case evaluation with an experienced and aggressive Sacramento workers’ compensation lawyer.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation.
