Companies and other corporations have always existed to make a profit. However, in recent decades it has become more and more obvious that businesses are willing to go to ever greater lengths to increase their income or decrease their expenses. One way that businesses across the country have been doing this is by refusing to pay workers who suffer a personal injury while on the job.
This practice has happened in St. Joseph, too. The local company most associated with this has been the meat processing plant in southern St. Joseph, Triumph Foods.
A Long History of Workers’ Compensation Issues
Personal injuries started happening at the Triumph Food processing plant even before it opened. On October 12, 2005, a 24-year-old masonry worker was killed while he finished installing a wall at the plant. There had been a gas leak from an uncapped valve, resulting in a massive explosion. 14 others were also hurt in the construction accident.
Triumph Foods paid a quarter of a million dollars to help settle the wrongful death claim and compensate the worker’s family.
Other Injuries at Triumph Foods Plant
Since opening, numerous other injuries have happened at the plant. One worker was found dead in the parking lot after telling coworkers that he felt sick. He’d left the plant to take a rest in his vehicle, only to be found dead in his van that night.
More recently, a lawsuit against Triumph Foods has accused the plant of firing people who get hurt on the job. These retaliatory terminations are a common tactic used by employers who want to avoid paying workers’ compensation claims or pay them while they recover. However, firing someone because they got hurt on the job can be a breach of the employment contract or can even be illegal. Nevertheless, more and more people are coming forward and joining the lawsuit against Triumph. When it was first filed, there were only three plaintiffs. Within a month, the list had grown to ten. According to current court documents, however, fifteen plaintiffs have been involved.
Many Workers’ Compensation Never Filed
Unfortunately, many workers don’t know their rights or are afraid to enforce them. This is especially the case when it comes to businesses like Triumph Foods. Many of Triumph’s nearly 3,000 employees work in its meat processing plant. These jobs are frequently filled with immigrants who don’t want to draw attention to themselves. If they get hurt on the job, they’ll often accept their fate without complaint.
St. Joseph Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
When you’re on the clock, you have rights. If you get hurt while at work and you were just doing your job, your employer should compensate you, not fire you. After all, you were doing what they wanted you to do. If not for your employer, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
This is why the personal injury attorneys at the Smith Law Office represent people who have been hurt while on the job. We represent you in court to enforce your rights, protect your interests, and fight for the compensation that you need and deserve under the law.
Contact us online or at (816) 875-9373.