The food service industry provides lots of excitement. There is nothing like the rush of a busy kitchen. Every day brings new challenges to meet deadlines and serve food piping hot to every table. But along with that excitement comes a great deal of risk. Food workers are vulnerable to injury on the job, including anything from burns sustained by hot plates to cutting off a finger while preparing vegetables.
If you’ve been hurt while performing a food service job in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. The program covers a portion of your wages, as well as medical expenses during your time away from work.
Is PA Workers’ Compensation Available to Food Service Workers?
You are eligible for workers’ comp if you were injured on the job and can prove the circumstances that led to your injury. We recommend reporting an injury to your boss right away to ensure there is a record of what happened. You should also visit a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and get a recommendation on whether the injury impacts your ability to do your job.
Even in a case where your injury seems minor, visiting a physician is the best move. Many food service workers develop repetitive use injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, that grow worse without treatment.
What Injuries Are Common for PA Food Service Workers?
We see many different injuries in this sector of work. Some of the most common include:
- Burns from ovens, grease or hot plates
- Head, neck or back injuries from falls on slippery floors
- Back strain from lifting heavy food shipments
- Amputation of digits from kitchen work
What Type of Food Service Workers Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
You may be eligible no matter what type of position you hold in the industry or what kind of company you work for — server and bartender workers’ comp is not only applicable at restaurants. For example, you might work at a hotel, a private business, a school or another place that serves food.
Some positions that may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits include:
- Hosts and hostesses
- Servers
- Kitchen staff
- Busboys and dishwashers
- Bartenders
- Chefs, sous chefs and line cooks
Were You Hurt as a Waiter or Bartender? We Can Help You
We have helped many people who have sustained a food service work injury in PA to secure the workers’ compensation benefits they are owed. This can be a difficult period in your life. Whether you were hurt as a waiter or on school lunch duty, you may wonder how this will impact your long-term livelihood. Let the lawyers at Frommer D’Amico help you.
All our attorneys are certified experts in workers’ compensation. We only take on this type of case, and we only represent employees — never employers. We offer our clients the personal attention their case requires. We get to know you and the details of your food service injury. We have aided waitresses, chefs, bartenders and more seeking workers’ comp. We can travel to your home for meetings, too.
When you work with us, you pay lower fees and get expert insights into PA workers’ compensation law. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation by calling 717-400-1000 or filling out our online contact form.