Do Meatpackers, Poultry Workers & Food Processors Get CO Workers’ Comp?
Learn how to maximize your benefits after a serious injury in an animal processing plant in Denver
If you work in meatpacking or food processing at facilities like JBS USA or Tyson Foods in the Denver area, you know how demanding the job can be. When a serious injury happens, workers’ comp is supposed to provide medical care and replace a portion of your lost wages while you recover.
Unfortunately, food processing employees aren’t always given clear guidance on how to file a workers’ comp claim after an injury or illness at work. Many try to “tough it out” and keep working, only to find out later they’ve missed the brief window to report their injuries, creating serious problems for their claims.
At Babcock Tucker, our local Denver work injury lawyers help injured food processing workers understand their rights and take action when their benefits are on the line. Learn more by scheduling a free consultation.
Is the meatpacking industry safe?
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meatpackers and other poultry processing workers suffer higher-than-average injury rates.
In 2024, the non-fatal work injury and illness rate for meat processing workers was 3.7 for every 100 full-time workers. By comparison, the non-fatal injury rate across all industries was only 2.6.
Fatal work accidents, while less common, still happen. In 2024, 22 animal processing workers lost their lives on the job. The leading causes included:
- Transportation accidents (9)
- Contact accidents (5)
- Violence (4)
- Toxic exposures (3)
Taken together, these numbers show that while many people work in meatpacking and animal processing without serious injury, the job certainly comes with elevated risks.
Is meatpacking a hard job?
Yes. Meatpacking is a physically demanding job where workers have little room for error. In addition to sudden traumatic injuries, workers are also at risk of occupational diseases and illnesses that develop over time.
Top causes of injuries and illnesses in meatpacking and other animal processing facilities include:
- Repetitive motion and constant strain. Workers often perform the same cutting, trimming, or lifting motions hundreds or even thousands of times per shift. Over time, that can lead to nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain, and loss of grip strength. In more severe cases, workers may develop permanent joint damage that limits their ability to keep working.
- Chemical exposure in the workplace. Workers and cleaning crews may come into contact with substances like ammonia, chlorine, and disinfectants. These chemicals can cause burns, eye injuries, respiratory damage, and long-term breathing problems. In some cases, repeated exposure can contribute to chronic illness or permanent lung damage.
- Sharp tools and unguarded or defective machinery. Knives, saws, grinders, and conveyor systems are a constant part of the job. When equipment is poorly maintained, lacks proper guards, or malfunctions, the risk of catastrophic injuries increases. These incidents can result in deep lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries if workers are struck or pulled into machinery.
- High noise levels and constant equipment use. Loud machinery running for long shifts can lead to hearing loss, especially without proper protection. This kind of damage is often gradual but permanent.
- Cold, wet working conditions. Processing plants and factories are kept cold for food safety, and floors are often wet. These conditions can increase the risk of slip and falls and contribute to injuries like broken bones, back injuries, and worsening of existing musculoskeletal problems.
- Exposure to bacteria and animal-borne illness. Handling raw meat and working around animals exposes workers to infections that can affect the skin, lungs, and internal organs. Illnesses like brucellosis or Q fever can cause fever, muscle pain, and breathing issues, while more serious infections can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, or long-term complications.
- Confined spaces and air hazards. Certain areas of processing plants involve tight or enclosed spaces where oxygen levels can drop or gases can build up. This can lead to dizziness, loss of consciousness, or, in extreme situations, asphyxiation.
- Fast-paced production and fatigue. Line speeds and production demands can push workers to move quickly with little downtime. Fatigue increases the risk of mistakes, which can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
The bottom line is that meatpacking isn’t just tough—it’s work that can lead to life-changing injuries like amputations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic illness, especially when safety measures fall short or hazards aren’t properly addressed.
In the news: Thousands of workers strike at a meatpacking facility in Greeley
In March 2026, a strike involving thousands of meatpacking workers in Greeley highlights the ongoing pressures workers face across the industry. Employees at a facility operated by JBS USA walked off the job after months of negotiations over pay and working conditions failed to produce an agreement, according to The Colorado Sun.
The dispute centered on concerns that will sound familiar to many workers in meat processing and food production. Union leaders pointed to increased production speeds, rising costs for basic protective gear, and wages that have not kept pace with the cost of living. Workers also raised concerns about safety and the physical demands of the job as line speeds increase.
While the strike itself was significant—it involved roughly 3,800 workers and marked one of the first major walkouts in the industry in decades—the bigger takeaway is what it represents. Across meatpacking plants, employees are often working in fast-paced, physically demanding environments where even small changes in speed or staffing can increase the risk of serious injury.
For workers, situations like this go beyond contract negotiations. They reflect broader concerns about workplace safety, injury risk, and whether workers feel supported when something goes wrong.
Are meatpackers and other food processing workers entitled to workers’ comp in Colorado?
In most cases, yes. If you work in a meatpacking plant, poultry facility, or food processing operation in Colorado, your employer is usually required to carry workers’ comp insurance.
That means if you’re an employee and you get hurt on the job or develop a work-related illness, you should be entitled to workers’ comp benefits like medical benefits and wage loss benefits.
The main requirement is that the injury or illness has to be work-related, meaning it needs to have happened while you were doing your job or because of the conditions you work in.
Another important thing to understand is that you generally don’t have to prove your employer did anything wrong to get benefits.
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, so even if the accident was your fault, you may still qualify for benefits.
One important exception is independent contractors. True independent contractors usually aren’t covered under workers’ comp. That said, some companies misclassify workers as contractors when they should legally be treated as employees. If that happens, you may still have a valid claim.
Even when you should qualify, it’s not uncommon for workers to face pushback. Insurance companies may argue the injury wasn’t work-related, blame a pre-existing condition, or point to delays in reporting to deny your claim.
If you’re unsure of your rights or you believe your claim has been wrongfully denied, reach out to a local Colorado work injury law firm to discuss your legal options.
What Benefits Are Available in a Colorado Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Learn about the different types of workers’ comp benefits available to injured CO workers, and their limits.
How do I file a workers’ comp claim in Colorado after a meatpacking injury?
Filing a workers’ comp claim isn’t complicated, but timing and documentation matter more than most people realize. Here’s how the process works in Colorado:
- Report the injury. You typically only have 10 days to report the injury or the discovery of an occupational illness to your employer. Even if it seems minor at first, don’t wait. Delays are one of the most common reasons claims get questioned or denied.
- Get medical care. If it’s an emergency, get help right away. For ongoing care, you’ll need to see a doctor from your employer’s approved list. Make sure you clearly explain that the injury happened at work so it’s documented properly in your records.
- Your employer reports it to insurance. After you notify them, your employer has 10 days to report the injury to their insurance company. The insurer then has 20 days to investigate and decide whether to accept or deny the claim, so you should hear back within about 30 days of reporting the injury.
- File your own claim. You can also protect yourself by filing a Worker’s Claim for Compensation (WC-15) with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. You have up to 2 years, but it’s best to do this sooner rather than later.
If your employer doesn’t report the injury, your benefits are delayed, or your claim is denied, it’s a good idea to get legal help from a Denver WC lawyer. They can help you gather the necessary evidence to file a workers’ comp appeal so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Injuries at a meatpacking, food processing, or poultry plant in Colorado? We can help!
If you were hurt working in a meatpacking or food processing plant, what you do next matters. These claims don’t always go smoothly, and insurance companies often look for ways to limit what they pay.
Babcock Tucker is a Denver-based work injury law firm. That means we understand how workers’ comp claims are handled here in our state, how local insurers evaluate claims, and what it takes to push back when something isn’t right.
If your claim has been denied or you’re getting the runaround from your employer or their workers’ comp insurer, schedule a free consultation with our Denver workers’ compensation attorneys today. We’re ready to fight for the benefits you’re owed.
References
TABLE 1. Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry and case types, 2024. (n.d.). www.bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/web/osh/table-1-industry-rates-national.htm
TABLE A-1. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and event or exposure, all United States, 2024. (2026, February 19). Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/iif/fatal-injuries-tables/fatal-occupational-injuries-table-a-1-2024.htm
U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Meatpacking – Hazards and Solutions | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. www.osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/meatpacking/hazards-solutions
