If you suffered an injury while working at McDonald’s, you should get medical attention right away and report the injury to your manager as soon as possible. After that, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to cover your medical bills and part of your lost wages.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be confusing, especially if your employer or the insurance company delays or denies your claim. That’s when legal help from our firm can make a difference.
You don’t have to handle a claim by yourself. Our McDonald’s workers’ compensation lawyers in Atlanta will handle it for you while protecting your rights to benefits. You can learn more during a free consultation with a member of our team.
Steps to Take Right After a Workplace Injury at McDonald’s
Getting hurt at work is upsetting, but there are things you should do as soon as possible to protect your health and your claim:
- Tell your manager about your injury immediately: In Georgia, you have 30 days to report a workplace injury. However, it’s best to get it on record right away and make sure you report it in writing. Provide as many details as you can about how and when the injury happened.
- Get medical treatment: Your employer should give you a list of approved doctors. If it’s an emergency, you can go to the nearest hospital first.
- Document everything: Write down what happened and when. If possible, get statements or contact information from any coworkers who saw the incident. Keep copies of medical reports, work schedules, and any communication from your employer or the insurer.
- File a workers’ compensation claim: Your employer should submit your claim to the insurance company. You can also file a WC-14 form with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) if your claim isn’t filed.
Various Workplace Injuries Can Happen on a McDonald’s Shift
Fast food employees work in fast-paced environments with heat, heavy lifting, and slippery floors. Common injuries include:
- Burns from hot oil, grills, or coffee
- Cuts or punctures from sharp kitchen tools
- Sprains, strains, and back injuries from lifting boxes or equipment
- Slip and fall injuries from wet or greasy floors
- Repetitive motion injuries from performing the same task over time
Even minor injuries can worsen if left untreated. Always report an incident, even if you think it’s small.
What Benefits Do Workers’ Compensation Claims Cover?
If your claim is approved, workers’ compensation covers specific benefits that help you recover and stay financially stable, such as:
- Medical care: Pays for the doctor’s appointments, hospital treatment, surgery, and prescription medications related to your injury.
- Wage replacement: Replaces part of your income while you’re unable to work—usually about two-thirds of your average weekly pay, up to the state’s limit.
- Disability benefits: For lasting or permanent injuries that affect your ability to work.
- Rehabilitation: Pays for physical therapy or job retraining if needed.
- Death benefits: If a McDonald’s worker suffers a fatal injury while on the job, their dependents may receive payments and funeral costs.
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What You Can Do if McDonald’s Insurer Denies Your Claim
While workers’ compensation benefits are available, valid claims can still be denied. Reasons may include:
- Missing the reporting deadline
- Disputes over whether the injury happened at work
- Lack of medical proof or improper paperwork
- Claims the injury was due to misconduct or wasn’t serious
If you have received a denial notice, you have the right to appeal. You can request a hearing before the SBWC so that it can review your case. Our Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer will collect evidence, represent you at the hearing, and fight for your full benefits.
Can You Sue McDonald’s for a Workplace Injury?
In most cases, workers’ compensation keeps employees from suing their employer directly. The system is “no-fault,” meaning you can still receive benefits even when no one caused the accident on purpose.
Still, there are some exceptions. You might be able to sue if:
- Your employer didn’t have workers’ compensation coverage when state law required it.
- A third party, such as a delivery driver or equipment manufacturer, caused your injury.
We will identify who is responsible for your injury and whether other claims are possible.
What if You Were Injured Offsite While Working for McDonald’s?
McDonald’s employees sometimes work outside the restaurant during deliveries, events, or errands for the store. Injuries that happen during these tasks can still qualify as job-related. This includes situations such as:
- A driver hitting an employee who is delivering food or supplies
- A worker slipping while carrying boxes into another McDonald’s location
- Someone getting hurt while setting up for a company event or catering job
As long as you were performing work duties for your employer when the injury happened, you can usually file a workers’ compensation claim.
Filing Deadlines for Workers’ Compensation Claims in Georgia
Under Georgia law, you usually have one year from the date of injury to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If you received medical treatment that your employer or insurer paid for, the deadline may be extended.
Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering any benefits, so it’s best to act quickly.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Will Fight for You After an Injury at McDonald’s
If you were injured while working at McDonald’s, you deserve a legal team that knows how to take on big employers and insurers. At John Foy & Associates, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have been helping Georgia workers since 1999.
With more than 350 years of combined legal experience and $1 billion recovered for clients, we know how to fight for your rights under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws.
Our firm provides every client with respect, personal attention, and superior care from start to finish. You will not pay any fees unless we win your case. Call today for a free consultation to talk about your injury, your benefits, and how our team can help you recover after an injury.
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