Nearly 100,000 people pass through the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport every single day, and the airport acts as the third-largest Delta hub in the United States. In order to help all these passengers get to their destination as intended, baggage handlers and other airline workers need to work quickly and efficiently, but the physical demands of the job can lead to injury when trying to meet the demands of the job. If you’ve suffered an injury as a baggage handler at MSP airport or another airport across Minnesota, know that you have legal options when it comes to injury compensation. In today’s blog, we explain how baggage handlers can get compensation for their injuries in Minnesota.
Common Work Injuries Among Minnesota Baggage Handlers
Airport baggage handlers move thousands of pieces of luggage a day, and many of those bags are close to 50 pounds in weight. These baggage handlers also aren’t rolling them down hallways like you may have been when arriving at the airport; they are lifting them, sorting them, loading them and tossing them, all of which requires extra effort. They move luggage day in and day out, and because of this, it’s not common for baggage handlers to suffer any of the following injuries:
- Acute injuries
- Overstress/Overexertion injuries
- Crush injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Weather-related injuries
If you develop an injury during the course of your work duties, it’s important to report it right away to a supervisor or human resources. Even if you are unsure if you’ll proceed with a claim, you need to report the injury so that there is an official record of the incident, because the insurance provider isn’t just going to take your word that you suffered a compensable injury.
After you’ve reported the injury, the next thing you need to do is seek out medical care. Again, you’re going to need official documentation of the existence of real injuries, and a doctor can provide you with this proof. Once your injuries have been assessed and treated, your final step is to connect with an injury firm who can go to work building your case and getting you the compensation you deserve.
We’ve worked with many employees in the airline industry who have suffered acute or chronic stress injuries, and we’re especially familiar with the challenges that face baggage handlers at MSP airport. Whether you’re dealing with a torn tendon from moving bags or a fracture because a heavy bag landed on your hand, you need to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Don’t just keep pushing through the discomfort so that you can continue earning a paycheck, because then you may be on the hook for surgery or rehabilitative care. Workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees in the event of an injury, so lean on this safety net and collect compensation for expenses or lost wages while you work to recover.
Finally, injury benefits also apply to workers who are just now feeling the effects of their time as a baggage handler. If your doctor believes that an injury like degenerative disc disease or carpal tunnel syndrome is connected to your years on the baggage line, you certainly have a case for compensation. Let our team of lawyers build a compelling argument and ensure you are properly compensated for the physical damage your body incurred during your work duties.
Baggage handlers aren’t the only type of airline workers we help get compensation, so if you are on the maintenance crew, you’re behind a desk or you work one of the other countless jobs that make our airports run smoothly, know that you have an ally in your corner in the event you are injured. Let the team at Hey Workers go to bat for you. For more information, or to talk to a lawyer about the possibility of moving forward with an injury claim, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.