Workplace Injuries In Retail And Service Environments

When most people think of dangerous jobs, they typically imagine construction sites or factory floors, not the aisles of a retail store or the kitchen of a busy restaurant. But the reality is that workers in retail, food service, and customer-facing roles often suffer from serious injuries due to the repetitive, physically demanding nature of their work.

From lifting heavy boxes to standing for hours on end, retail and service workers face daily strains that can lead to lasting health issues. Understanding how injuries occur, when financial recovery is available, and how a Baltimore personal injury lawyer who has workers’ compensation experience can help is crucial to protecting your rights.

Back Issues, Tendinitis, and Knee Problems

Retail and service jobs might not involve heavy machinery, but they often require repetitive motion and prolonged physical exertion, which can take a toll on the body. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Back and neck pain from lifting stock, unloading inventory, or standing on hard surfaces for long shifts.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome from scanning items at a checkout counter, typing, or repetitive hand movements in food prep.
• Tendinitis in the elbows, shoulders, or wrists from constant reaching, stocking, and cleaning.
• Foot and knee issues due to hours of walking or standing, often without adequate footwear or rest breaks.
• Slips, trips, and falls from spills, cluttered walkways, or slick entryways.

Even seemingly minor issues, like mild wrist discomfort or occasional back pain, can worsen over time if not addressed. Many workers don’t realize these injuries are covered under the state’s workers’ compensation system. Prompt care is key.

In Maryland, you don’t need to prove your employer did something wrong to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you were injured while performing your job duties, you may be eligible for medical benefits, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation. Accessing or returning to employment is the goal of the vocational rehab process.

Don’t Suffer in Silence, Connect with Legal Support

Repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis or carpal tunnel can be harder to document than a sudden accident. Also, many retail and service workers hesitate to report injuries, fearing retaliation or job loss. Others try to tough it out, not realizing their discomfort is a compensable workplace injury. Because of this, difficulties securing compensation may arise.

A Baltimore personal injury lawyer can help you file a timely and accurate claim. To put your case in a strong position, they will gather medical records and documentation showing your injury is work-related. They also have the skills to fight denied or delayed claims and represent you in hearings if your benefits are contested.

If you work in retail, food service, or another hands-on customer service role and are experiencing pain, numbness, or stiffness, don’t ignore it. These injuries are real, and you may be entitled to financial recovery.

Are you a service worker who has been coping with a work-related injury? Talk to the workers’ comp attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP to secure the benefits you deserve. Contact us to book a confidential appointment.