Burns, Slips, and Cuts: Can Fort Lauderdale Food Service Workers Get Workers’ Compensation?
Fort Lauderdale restaurant employees can make good money, but they face some of the most physically demanding and hazardous conditions of any industry. Injuries are common and can occur when a knife slips during prep work, hot oil splatters, or a wet floor sends you crashing to the ground.
Between missed earnings and medical bills, your losses can quickly add up. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains the risks and your rights in filing a Florida workers’ comp claim.
Common On-the-Job Injuries Among Fort Lauderdale Restaurant and Food Service Workers
The National Restaurant Association advises that the restaurant industry employs nearly one in 10 workers in the United States, and kitchen environments consistently rank among the most injury-prone workplaces in the service sector. Florida’s year-round tourism economy increases the risk.
Under Section 440.10 of the Florida Statutes, workers’ compensation coverage can help cover your losses when work-related injuries happen. Common types of injuries among Fort Lauderdale food service workers that may qualify for benefits include:
- Burn injuries from hot oil, open flames, steam, hot liquids, and commercial cooking equipment.
- Slip and fall injuries on wet kitchen floors, greasy surfaces, or recently cleaned dining areas.
- Lacerations from knives, mandolines, slicers, and other sharp kitchen tools.
- Muscle and back injuries from lifting heavy supply deliveries, large pots, or commercial equipment.
- Repetitive stress injuries from sustained prep work, dishwashing, or carrying heavy trays.
Even injuries that seem minor in the moment can end up impacting your ability to work while requiring ongoing medical care.
When Fort Lauderdale Food Service Workers Get Hurt On the Job
Restaurant environments create pressure to push through injuries and keep service moving. Supervisors do not always encourage workers to stop and report what happened, and some actively discourage it.
To protect your rights in a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation claim, take these steps if you get hurt on the job:
- Tell your supervisor what happened before you leave your shift and follow up with a written report as soon as possible.
- Request medical care right away, regardless of how severe your injuries appear.
- Take photos and note the specific conditions that led to the accident, including wet floors, equipment issues, or unsafe kitchen layouts.
- Do not let an employer’s reluctance to file a claim go unchallenged. You have a right to file a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation claim, regardless of how management reacts.
If your employer or their insurer tries to deny your benefits, you can appeal the decision through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Injured at a Fort Lauderdale Restaurant? Contact Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., provides trusted, experienced legal help to workers in the food service industry. Our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer protects your rights throughout the claims process and takes the legal actions needed to appeal denied benefits. Reach out and request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office.
Sources:
restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/analysis-commentary/new-association-report-provides-a-demographic-profile-of-the-restaurant-workforce/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.10.html