An injury or accident can happen at any workplace and restaurant accidents are no exception. While construction sites are known for their inherent dangers, restaurant workers are also at a high risk of being hurt on the job. In fact, of the 2.9 million workplace injuries that were reported in 2015, 2.8 million or 97% occurred in service industries. This includes bar and restaurant accidents.
Have you been injured in a restaurant accident while working? At Work Injury Rights, we represent injured workers throughout Florida with free consultations. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer to review your case.
Common Injuries Among Restaurant Workers
All types of service industry and restaurant workers can become hurt on the job including cooks, servers, dishwashers, and bartenders. Sometimes accidents lead to acute injuries such as burns and slip and fall accidents. Restaurant workers can also face repetitive stress injuries and chronic conditions. Of the 2.9 million workplace injuries that were reported in 2015, 2.8 million or 97% occurred in service industries. This includes restaurants and bars.
Some of the most common injuries among restaurant and service workers are:
- Knee injuries
- Back injuries from twisting, bending, carrying, and lifting
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis
- Sprains, strains, and tears
- Thermal burns from fryers, hot stoves, and boiling water. One-third of occupational burns every year happen in restaurants with more than 12,000 reported each year.
- Lacerations or punctures from frequent use of slicers, knives, and broken glass
- Eye injuries from sanitizing chemicals and grease splashes
Florida Workers’ Compensation for Restaurant Accidents
Even a somewhat minor restaurant injury can leave you missing work for days or weeks with costly medical bills. Some injuries are serious enough to lead to permanent disability, a catastrophic injury, or even death. You should not feel stuck with the high financial impact of your work injury. Under Florida’s workers’ compensation system, injured restaurant workers have the right to benefits for injuries that occur on the job. This includes medical benefits to pay for your related medical expenses and benefits to cover your lost wages and disability, whether it’s temporary or permanent.
Unfortunately, receiving the benefits you are entitled to under the workers’ compensation system is easier said than done. Many injured restaurant workers feel pressured to not file a claim at all. Others may struggle with an employer or insurance company that denies the injury is work-related, downplays the severity of an injury, or claims a serious and lasting injury is healed and the employee can return to work.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Florida will help you explore your options and assess the value of your claim. Never accept the first settlement offer you receive from your employer’s insurance carrier. Our work injury lawyers fight for you and work to secure the full benefits you deserve so you can focus on recovering.
Contact Work Injury Rights for a Free Consultation
Work Injury Rights has more than 45 years of experience representing injured workers across Florida. We can help with all aspects of your claim including collecting evidence to prove the cause and extent of your injury, filing for benefits, appealing your claim if it is denied, resolving disputes over coverage, and determining if there are any third parties who may have liability for your injuries.
You don’t need to fight the insurance company alone. While battling for workers’ compensation benefits can sometimes feel hopeless, especially as you watch medical bills mount while you are unable to work, our experienced Florida workers’ comp lawyers are here to help. Contact Work Injury Rights today to schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you!
