Teenage Worker Gets Finger Sliced off on Machinery, Boss Refuses to Pay Workers Comp

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  • 01
    Human body - r/antiwork u/hellionetic 22h teenage coworker cuts off finger, boss won't pay workers comp
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    Font - I work at a bubble tea place, and the machine that seals the cup has a knife loop inside it to cut the plastic off. The other day on my way to work, I saw a text in the group chat apologizing for leaving early because the machine cut his the tip of his finger off... I ran there as fast as I could and arrived to see the shop closed, and the other two on shift (also teenagers) completely pale faced with blood absolutely everywhere. It was sprayed on the walls, on the counters, it even got i
  • 03
    Font - The coworker is fine now, but obviously he's putting in his two weeks, and I don't blame him. My boss says that their insurance won't cover workers comp for him because only two others actually saw the incident and they need at least three witnesses- but they only ever put three people max on any given shift! I even worked entirely by myself there for six months, what if I had gotten into a similar accident? I feel like even if the insurance won't cover it, the boss personally paying for
  • 04
    Font - Is this, like...legal? Can they do this? Does this actually sound like a legitimate reason why the insurance would deny comp? I'm actually astounded that this would happen, I otherwise like my job but if he sued I would 100% back him up.
  • 05
    Font - Some additional comments, we are in Massachusetts and don't have any wc information posted anywhere, but I'm going to stress finding it anyways. This incident happened a little over a week ago, and this same machine is in fact in use at pretty much every boba shop. Tonight I will be contacting OSHA, and will be letting my coworker know that if he needs any support in this I've got his back.
  • 06
    Font - trustmeiwouldntlie2u 22h The employee who is down a fingertip should consult a lawyer. It's not going to be up to the company whether they pay worker's comp. + Reply 1.2k
  • 07
    Font - Vocem_Interiorem. 4h This. Just find yourself the right lawyer. No matter how interesting it might be to feed the Bosses fingers to a blender until they agree to abide by the law, a layer is a better road to go. ... + G 16 16
  • 08
    Font - mrsbatsinherbelfry • 22h That's not how workers comp works, your employer is lying and I'm going to guess they're lying because they don't have workers comp insurance. Workers comp lawyers work on contingency which means they take a percentage of the settlement. your friend needs a lawyer. + Reply 994
  • 09
    Rectangle - hellionetic OP • 20h You know, I did think that was pretty fishy. Glad to see my instincts were right. 389
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    Font - Frosty_Sky_9802 - 19h I work in occ health and agree the owner likely is not carrying insurance. No insurance agency would ever be foolish enough to deny a claim for a (no pun intended) "cut and dry" case like this. There is no "clause" requiring a witness, much less 3. Lawyers will be salivating to take on a case like this. Tell your friend they need a lawyer. Also, report this to OSHA. You could prevent another injury.... ... + 4322 322
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    Font - strabrryjam 14h ● Also, how are there no cameras that caught this? Or even a piece of this? That would be a 3rd witness essentially. Why do I feel like there's probably fake cameras everywhere? ... + 60
  • 12
    Font - Darkcelt2 • 13h If the employers have working cameras where the injury took place (who knows) ... I would put money on that footage being deleted before the ambulance gets there + 58
  • 13
    Font - thdudie. 22h Call OSHA. They take machine guarding and amputations seriously. Also, as others have said get a lawyer If this is a franchise you can reach out to corporate. But definitely reach out to OSHA. You can reach out to OSHA. ... + Reply 392 392
  • 14
    Font - hellionetic OP. 22h Noted. I don't want to overstep in an incident that doesn't actually involve me (tho I'm definitely looking for another job once the semester is over), but I feel some level of responsibility for these kids and I'm worried that hes going to be taken advantage of if he doesn't press for some sort of legal action! I'll pass it on. 4137 +
  • 15
    Font - thdudie • 21h You use that machine. It is fundamentally unsafe. This machine is probably used at other locations if you contact OSHA, you could save hundreds of fingers 181
  • 16
    Font - trustmeiwouldntlie2u 21h They say that OSHA regulations are written in blood, and this is why. 146
  • 17
    Font - _Maxolotl 22h ● boss is gonna get sued and boss is gonna lose Reply 75 +
  • 18
    Font - YoGrizzly • 21h Coworker needs to contact a work comp attorney asap. Do not sign anything from the employer and do not contact the employer. They have to get a lawyer. I cannot stress this enough. They will not have to pay upfront for attorneys fees or medical care. Will it be a pain, yes it will but they have to for their sake and the sake of other employees. Edit: some words ... + Reply 36 36
  • 19
    Font - AMOY SQGNXXnkceeEfhm. 21h Employer is lying. Employer has no say in whether or not this is workers comp. That is between doctor and insurance. And it HAS to be shared that this happened at work, or your coworker could be denied coverage altogether. + Reply 24 24
  • 20
    Font - Guilty-Web7334. 15h Was the person who lost the fingertip under 18? If so, that's probably a child labour law violation. Minors are not allowed to work with dangerous equipment. Cutting machines may fall under that. (Certainly, deli slicers do.) + Reply 12
  • 21
    Font - Greyspire 19h Lived in MA almost my whole life, this employer is toast. If the kid is under 18 the laws are pretty clear about what types of work activities they are allowed. Employer will be investigated, by police, Board of health and if there is a planning board they could get involved as well. Make as much noise as you can get the press involved, a lawyer most certainly will pick this up. But may take a few calls, if employer does not have workers comp he is done as an employer. Give

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