Have You Been Injured at Your Seattle Restaurant Job?

Posted Friday, September 10, 2021 by Chris Thayer

Restaurants are among the most demanding places to work, and it is often the employees who pay the price. Restaurant employees face a veritable gauntlet of potential hazards on their way through the kitchen room to the dining room, from hot boiling liquids and slippery floors to unstable trays and spilled beverages, restaurant employees can suffer serious injuries on the job. If you have been injured at work, you may be feeling overwhelmed and wondering what your options are legally. To some degree, that will depend on your classification. If you are an employee of the restaurant, as opposed to an independent contractor, then you qualify for workers’ compensation coverage.

*Common Restaurant Worker Injuries * It probably comes as no surprise that the majority of restaurant employee injuries occur in the kitchen. Whereas most restaurant patron injuries occur due to slip-and-fall accidents in the parking lot or sidewalk outside of the restaurant, employees suffer cuts and lacerations more than any other form of injury. These cuts and lacerations are often due to knives and equipment used in food preparation, however, they can also be caused by broken glasses, dishes, and other accidents. The second leading cause of injury among restaurant employees is slip-and-fall accidents. These accidents are most often caused by oil or spilled liquids on the ground, and are most likely to occur in the kitchen by the fryer or sink. However, these accidents can occur anywhere, and spilled beverages, obstacles, uneven floors, steps, and heavy and unstable trays are all likely to contribute to slip-and-fall accidents at work. Burns are also common (but very painful!) injuries experienced by restaurant workers. These can be caused by hot pans, boiling pots and liquids, hot beverages or items that are being transported, equipment, and the stovetop, among other possible causes. Finally, strains, sprains, and soft tissue injuries are also frequently experienced by restaurant employees.

*Recovering for Restaurant Injuries * If you are an employee, you must file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. You are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits for injuries that you incur in the course of your employment and for the benefit of your employer. This means that you may not receive coverage for an injury that you received while pranking a coworker, but provided the injury was caused by doing things required by your job, you are entitled to coverage. Workers’ compensation coverage provides medical care and paid time off while you recover from your injury. If you are having trouble receiving the benefits that you are entitled to, a Seattle personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you get the full benefits and maximum compensation to which you are entitled. If you are not an employee, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the restaurant or a third-party if their negligence contributed to or caused your injury. Talking to a personal injury lawyer will allow you to determine the best path forward to compensation.

*Talk to Pivotal Law Group* If you have suffered an injury at your Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, Issaquah, or greater Washington State area workplace, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Pivotal Law Group are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.