Were you working your shift at McDonald’s when you slipped because of a drink spilled on the floor and you suffered an injured knee in the fall? If so, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a special insurance McDonald’s maintains to protect itself as well as its employees in the event of an occupational disease or a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation laws vary from one state to another, but workers’ comp includes medical benefits, which cover the cost of your medical expenses for treating your condition, as well as coverage for about two-thirds of your regular salary while you are unable to work. Tips for Filing a Claim for Injured Knee While Working at McDonald's Get immediate medical care. As soon as you have suffered an injured knee, you should get it checked by a medical professional. Your employer should have a list of approved McDonald’s workers’ compensation medical providers in your area posted in a visible place for employees. If you don’t see this list in the break room or by a time clock, ask your supervisor for a copy of the list. Failing to use an approved physician might result in the loss of medical benefits. Get x-rays or other ordered diagnostic testing. Your treating physician will have your injured knee x-rayed, so an accurate diagnosis can be made. Different knee injuries require different treatment plans and might require different amounts of time off work from McDonald’s. For example, a broken patella might warrant more time off from work than a twisted or sprained knee. You need to notify McDonald’s properly about your accident and injured knee. In some states, a verbal notification to a supervisor is sufficient. In other states, a written notice must be given to your employer’s human resources department. Without this notification made in a timely manner, your workers’ compensation claim can be denied. As soon as you can, write down a few notes about your accident and injury. This is easier to do while it is fresh in your memory. You will have to give a detailed account of your injured knee for the accident report. As an example, you will have to describe the injury in detail instead of just explaining the accident. You might say your knee was twisted toward the right and you heard a pop before you experienced sharp pains down the right side of your knee. Make sure all witnesses tell your employer what they saw for inclusion in the accident report. Corroborating witnesses can have a significant impact on your workers’ compensation claim. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Injured Knee While Working at McDonald’s Workers’ compensation claims against McDonald’s for an injured knee can be complicated. To ensure your claim is on the right track, consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to get your details shared with a local lawyer. Additional Resources Top Tips For Applying for Workers’ Compensation at McDonald’s* Tips For Applying for Workers’ Comp. With an Injured Knee *Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against McDonald's or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
