Black Friday crowds can be dangerous for employees.

When you are on-the-job, your expectation is that you will be safe. Even general contractors have safety guidelines that include keeping their workers safe when working at heights. Believe it or not, Black Friday workplace injuries are not unheard of. With the time of year coming up when people get out at pre-dawn hours to get great deals, you need to be aware that there is a chance you could be injured while working.

The fact that so much money is made on this day, motivates retailers to offer discounts on items that people often want for the holidays. Stores have enormous crowds of people who are pushing toward the door the minute it opens and this alone can cause injury to the employees who are working that day.

Years ago, a 34-year-old man was trampled on Black Friday by a large crowd of people who wanted in first. This is so sad, because it can be avoided. Now, stores are staying open on Thanksgiving and are offering their Black Friday deals online to avoid the mad rush on the day after Thanksgiving.

It must be said that, sometimes, even when you are using all your safety skills and are being careful at work, you end up injured and hurting. What are your next steps? Whom do you turn to in this hour of need? After you have been examined and treated by a medical professional you may want to talk to an attorney who will patiently listen to your story and will be able to guide you through your options.

Being hurt on the job can cause you to miss work and that causes you to miss paying your bills. And what about the medical bills that came out of your injury? All these can be addressed by contacting a legal professional who understands the law thoroughly.

Source: Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, “How to keep retail workers safe during Black Friday,” accessed Nov. 20, 2015