Workers in the hospitality and leisure industries include people who work in the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industries. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- 233 people died in work-related accidents in the hospitality and leisure industries during 2015. This was the highest number of fatalities since 2012.
- For every 100 full-time workers in these industries, 3.5 were hurt in work-related incidents.
- Approximately 1.5 of every 100 full-time workers in these industries lost time from work, had job restrictions, or required a job transfer because of work-related injuries.
Accordingly, it is important for Iowa hospitality and leisure workers to understand the risks that they face and what to do if they are hurt in a work-related incident.
Common Injuries in the Hospitality and Leisure Industries
The hospitality and leisure industries include people with very different job responsibilities in very different settings. Anyone may hurt any part of the body. However, some of the common types of injuries include:
- Fractured or broken bones.
- Sprains, strains, and tears.
- Cuts, lacerations, and punctures.
- Burns.
Regardless of the specific injury that you suffered, the steps that you take to protect a workers’ compensation claim after a work-related injury or illness are the same.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt at Work
If you have suffered any kind of injury at work then it is important to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, and certainly within the 90-day limit allowed by law. Once you notify your lawyer, then you can begin medical care with a healthcare provider chosen by your employer and you can begin the process of getting weekly benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company if you qualify for such benefits.
You may have a good relationship with your employer and you must trust your employer to do the right thing. However, the insurance company may have other plans and may try to pay you as little as possible for your claim. Accordingly, if you suffer a work-related injury that causes you to miss time from work, then we encourage you to contact our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free consultation about your rights and potential benefits. Our attorneys are committed to helping workers hurt in any industry—including the hospitality and leisure industries—get the recoveries that they deserve.
