Food Service Work Injury Attorneys in Pennsylvania
Working in the food service industry can be rewarding, fun and fast-paced, but it can also be dangerous. When people think of workplace injuries, they often think of construction workers, first responders or other industries that require physical strength or put employees in danger.
However, anyone who has ever worked as a server, line cook or chef can attest that cooking in commercial kitchens or serving guests in a restaurant can lead to serious food service work injury.
Common Food Service Work Injuries
The most common injuries that occur in the food service industry are lacerations and punctures. As chefs and cooks use knives, slicers and other sharp instruments in the preparation of food, food service work injury is common. Although most of these injuries are minor, they can be severe if the cut or laceration is deep or extensive.
Burns are also common in the food service injury, accounting for as much as one-third of all occupational burns in the United States. As many as 12,000 burns are reported in the food industry each year, although it is suspected that the number is much higher since not all burns are serious enough to report.
Misplaced or hard to reach items can also lead to sprains and strains, which are also common in the food service industry. Improper lifting of dish trays, serving trays and other items may also contribute to a strain or sprain. Eye injuries are also common among food service employees as grease or sanitizing chemicals may splash into the eye. Food service workers commonly suffer from repetitive movement injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Investigating Your Workers Compensation Case
Many people are under the impression that a food service work injury is not covered by workers compensation. There is the belief that workers comp is only for full-time employees. However, federal law requires that every employer provide coverage for workplace injuries to all employees, whether they are employed full- or part-time.
Many times, food service workers who are injured on the job do not report the injury, even if it is serious, for fear that they will lose their job. In Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee for filing a workers comp claim for an injury they suffered while performing their job duties.
Protect Your Rights
After being injured on the job while working in the food industry, it is important to protect your rights by talking to work injury attorneys. Speaking to our attorneys does not mean you plan to sue your employer.
In fact, in some states, like Pennsylvania, you may not be permitted to file a lawsuit against your employer for a workplace injury. Our attorneys simply work with the workers comp insurance company for you so that you can focus on healing from your injury. Our attorneys will also make sure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to receive, such as lost wages, payment for medical bills and other compensation you are entitled to under the law.
If you or a loved one has been injured while working in the food service industry, contact Lundy Law today. We can work with the insurance company so that you can focus on healing from your injury and return to work as quickly as possible. Our work injury attorneys will fight for your rights and seek the compensation you are entitled to under the law. Set up your initial consultation by calling 1-800-Lundy Law or complete the simple form on our website.