Smithfield Foods is a meat processing that produces the largest surplus of pork products. They own the largest slaughterhouse in the world. It is located here in the United States. Smithfield Foods provides employment opportunities to many people. As an employee of Smithfield Foods, if you are hurt on the job, would you be able to afford to pay your rent? Some employees who are hurt on the job are left unable to work and are left financially devastated. Help for Hurt Workers Workers who are hurt on the job during their shift and left unable to work may be eligible to receive a portion of their lost wages through workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a safety net set in place to protect workers that are hurt or made sick because of their job. Each state has a law that requires most employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. If you are hurt on the job, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim – doing so may help you to cover medical expenses. Company Profile: Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods, Incorporated is a subsidiary of Shuanghui Group. They were founded in Smithfield, Virginia. However, they are now headquartered in Luohe, Henan, People’s Republic of China. They employ over 50,000 workers in the United States. They have 26 locations in the United States. Risk Faced by Employees of Smithfield Food Workers of Smithfield Foods face many risks on a day to day basis during their shift. For all employees such as drivers, slaughterhouse, meat processing workers, and sanitation workers face similar risks. However, there are individual risks that affect each type of employee. Exposure to toxic chemicals: ammonia, a primary refrigerant, and chlorine gas, used in on-site wastewater treatment, are two examples of the types of chemicals can exposed to. Long-term exposure can cause eye and upper respiratory infections. Cuts: working with sharp knives and saws can cause minor to severe cuts. In cases of high-powered saws, a lost appendage can be a risk. Because employees are working with raw meat, these cuts are also at risk for infection. Slip and falls: any spilled liquid like blood, chemicals, or water are a hazard. Injuries received from a slip and fall can cause pulled muscles, broken bones, slipped discs, or even a closed head injury. Repetitive motion injuries: fast line speeds and constant repetition can cause short term and long term damage to joints and muscles. In some cases, it can cause carpal tunnel as determined in a recent study. Have You Been Hurt? Not Sure What to Do Next? If you are hurt during your shift do not continue to work. Doing so can cause a minor injury to get worse. Do not wait until the end of your shift, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim – immediately. Contact your manager and notify them of the injury right away. They can assist you filing a claim. If you are a delivery driver, call 911 before you do anything else. If you hit your head or suffer from a severe cut, call 911. This is a medical emergency. A responding officer will file a report and provide you with a report number. You can get a copy of the police report in a few days after it is filed. Contact your manager or HR rep to get information on doctors who can treat you at no cost. You have the right to use your own private physician. However, you may have out of pocket expenses. Keep all your receipts since you may be eligible for reimbursement. Seek a Legal Consultation If you are asked to sign any documentation, consider talking with a qualified attorney prior to signing. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you learn about your rights under the law. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Smithfield Foods, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
