A Guide to Workers’ Comp Benefits for Injured King Soopers Workers in CO
Learn how to maximize your compensation after a work-related injury or illness at a King Soopers in Denver
With 120 grocery stores across 38 cities in Colorado, including 15 right here in Denver, King Soopers employs thousands of workers in our state—from cashiers and stockers to department managers and warehouse staff.
When these employees are hurt on the job or develop an occupational illness, Colorado law generally entitles them to workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical care and lost wages.
Unfortunately, being entitled to benefits doesn’t always mean they’re paid without a fight. King Soopers workers’ comp claims are sometimes wrongfully delayed, disputed, or outright denied, even after serious and catastrophic injuries. That’s why understanding your rights is critical.
In this article, we’ll explain how workers’ compensation works for King Soopers employees, what benefits you’re entitled to, and what you can do if those benefits are unfairly denied.
If you were injured at a King Soopers in Colorado and need help with your claim, contact the experienced Denver work injury attorneys at Babcock Tucker today for a free consultation.
Are King Soopers workers entitled to workers’ comp in Colorado?
Yes. Most Colorado employers with even one employee, whether full-time or part-time, are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and that includes King Soopers.
King Soopers grocery store employees are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Colorado, as long as a few basic requirements are met.
To qualify for benefits after a work injury or illness:
- You must be classified as an employee, not an independent contractor.
- You must be able to show that your injury or illness is work-related, meaning it happened at work while you were doing your job duties.
Importantly, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove that King Soopers did anything wrong or that your manager was negligent. As long as the injury or condition is connected to your job, you’re likely eligible for benefits.
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What types of injuries at King Soopers are covered by Colorado workers’ comp?
Many types of injuries suffered by King Soopers employees can qualify for Colorado workers’ compensation, including both sudden accidents and conditions that develop over time.
Common qualifying injuries and diseases include:
- Traumatic, one-time injuries. These involve single incidents that often have lasting consequences. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or fractures due to falls on wet floors or loading dock accidents and crushed limbs or amputations caused by pallet jacks, forklifts, or industrial equipment.
- Repetitive stress injuries. These injuries develop gradually due to repeated motions or physical strain. King Soopers workers may experience carpal tunnel syndrome from scanning items, shoulder and elbow tendon injuries from constant lifting and reaching, or chronic pain in the back or joints from standing, bending, and twisting during long shifts.
- Occupational diseases. Certain work environments can lead to illnesses over time, such as hearing loss from prolonged exposure to noisy equipment, respiratory problems from cleaning chemicals or airborne irritants, or skin conditions from repeated contact with harsh or toxic substances.
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions. If a job-related activity worsens an existing injury or medical condition, you may be entitled to benefits. For example, an old back injury that becomes significantly worse due to repetitive lifting at work may be a qualifying workers’ comp injury under Colorado law.
If your employer questions whether or not your injury is work-related, be sure to reach out to a Denver workers’ comp attorney. They can help you gather the necessary medical evidence to prove your injury was caused by your job and protect your rights throughout the workers’ comp claims process.
In the news: Colorado appeals court sides with injured King Soopers employee
In August 2023, Colorado’s Court of Appeals ruled that King Soopers must pay workers’ compensation benefits to an assistant manager who was injured on the job, even though the exact cause of the injury was unclear.
According to Colorado Politics, the worker, Michael Waters, was hurt while moving pallets at a King Soopers store when his leg suddenly gave out and he fell. King Soopers argued the injury shouldn’t be covered because it was an “unexplained injury,” not an “unexplained fall.”
The court rejected that argument, relying on a prior Colorado Supreme Court ruling that says injuries from unexplained events at work are still compensable if they happen while an employee is doing their job and aren’t caused by a personal medical condition.
The decision reinforces that King Soopers employees can qualify for workers’ comp even when an injury’s cause isn’t obvious, as long as it occurs in the course of their work.
What benefits can I get if I’m injured while working at King Soopers?
If you’re injured while working at King Soopers, Colorado workers’ compensation provides several types of benefits designed to cover both your medical needs and lost income while you recover, including:
- Medical benefits. Workers’ compensation will pay for any necessary medical care to treat your injury or illness. This includes emergency care, doctor visits, surgery, hospital stays, medications, and physical therapy.
- Permanent disability benefits. If your injury results in lasting physical limitations that make it difficult to work, you may be eligible for permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits.
- Death benefits. If a work-related injury or illness results in your death, your surviving dependents may receive ongoing income benefits as well as payment for funeral and burial expenses.
- Disfigurement benefits. Additional compensation may be available if your injury causes permanent, visible scarring or disfigurement, particularly to areas like the face, head, hands, or arms.
- Indemnity benefits. If your injury keeps you off work for more than 3 days, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits. These payments, also called indemnity benefits, replace about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state-set maximum, and are tax-free.
Workers’ comp benefits can be substantial, but disputes over eligibility, medical care, or wage calculations are common. If you need help estimating the value of your claim or you’re unsure which benefits you’re entitled to, reach out to a local Colorado work injury law firm for guidance.
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How do I apply for workers’ comp after an injury at King Soopers?
After an injury at King Soopers, you’ll need to take certain steps to report your injury, get treatment, and file a claim. Here’s how the process generally works in Colorado:
- Report the injury. You must notify your employer about the injury as soon as possible. In most cases, Colorado law requires this to be done within 10 days. Prompt reporting helps protect your right to benefits and reduces the chance of disputes.
- Get medical treatment. Seek emergency care right away if needed. For non-emergency treatment, you are generally required to see an employer-approved workers’ comp doctor. You should ask them for a list of providers. Medical records play a critical role in showing that your injury or illness is work-related.
- Your employer reports the injury to the insurer. After you report the injury, your employer has 10 days to notify its workers’ compensation insurance company. The insurer then has time to review the claim, and you should receive a decision (approval or denial) within 30 days of notifying your employer.
- File your own claim. You should also protect yourself by filing form WC 15 (Worker’s Claim for Compensation) with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. This should be done as soon as possible, though you have up to 2 years from the date of injury to file.
- Appeal if necessary. If your employer fails to report the injury, the insurance company denies your claim, or benefits are cut off too soon, you have the right to appeal. Disputed claims can be challenged through the Colorado workers’ comp system, and legal help from a qualified work injury attorney in Denver can be critical at this stage.
Even when injuries are legitimate, workers’ comp claims are commonly delayed or denied. Knowing that a denial is not the end of the road and where to turn for help can make a major difference in the outcome of your claim.
Need help with a workers’ comp claim after an injury at a King Soopers in Denver?
When large employers like King Soopers and their insurers try to avoid paying valid workers’ comp claims, having a local law firm that knows how to fight back matters.
The local Denver workers’ compensation attorneys at Babcock Tucker have a proven track record of standing up to major corporations throughout Colorado and winning benefits for injured workers.
If you’re struggling to get the benefits you’re owed after an injury at King Soopers, contact Babcock Tucker today for a free consultation. We can help minimize your stress and maximize your claim.
