Hotel and Hospitality Workers and Workplace Injuries
Local 10 News recently reported that one hotel employee served customers alone for 32 hours during a recent flood. The 21-year-old college student unexpectedly became the hotel’s only employee after Tropical Storm-turned-Depression Imelda unleashed torrential flooding that trapped him and 90 other guests inside the Beaumont, Texas hotel where he works. After other employees were reportedly unable to make it due to flooding roads, the employee, who normally works behind the front desk, stepped into roles as everything from hotel chef to room service attendant. Guests who stayed during that time have left the young man glowing reviews and, fortunately, the hotel, and that employee, avoided the worst of the storm.
However, those who work in the hotel and hospitality industry are not always so lucky. Working in a hotel can be a very physically demanding job that includes many different and varied tasks. Therefore, there are also many different risks that employees in this industry are exposed to on a regular basis.
How Dangerous Can Working in This Industry Be?
While working in the hospitality industry likely isn’t a job you immediately associate with potential workplace danger, statistics suggest otherwise. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2013, hotel and motel workers had a nonfatal injury and illness rate of 5.4, a significantly higher rate than the 3.5 rate for all industries.
What Are Common Injuries?
Importantly, you should understand that Florida’s workers’ compensation statute is not based on fault. Instead, obtaining the benefits of workers’ compensation sounds simple enough in theory as anyone who is injured at work during the scope of employment is generally entitled to these benefits. However, in real life, this can equate to a battle with your employer’s insurance company – and anyone who has been injured should also understand that this is often the case no matter how long you have been employed nor how positive your relationship is with your employer. Common hotel accidents and injuries can include:
- Slip and fall accidents: Hotels are full of potential hazards such as worn carpeting, uneven flooring, icy walks, and spilled beverages. All of these scenarios and a variety of other hazards can cause a worker to stumble and fall, leading to serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and severe sprains.
- Musculoskeletal injuries: Bending, pulling and lifting, are all regular parts of a hotel worker’s day, and unfortunately, all these actions can lead to musculoskeletal injuries that range from minor to severe, depending on what triggers the injury and how soon it is treated by medical professionals.
- Burn injuries: Hotel workers come into contact with a variety of chemicals and other risks on a daily basis, and burns can be caused by everything from hot surfaces and steam to strong cleaning agents.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured?
Whether you have suffered temporary or severe and more permanent injuries while working at a hotel, you’ll likely need the help of an experienced legal team to get the full amount of compensation you deserve. As the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we help protect those who have suffered from injuries while working in the hotel and hospitality industry. Additionally, it costs nothing to find out what our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys can do for you, so begin by contacting us today.
Resource:
local10.com/news/national/hotel-employee-serves-customers-alone-for-32-hours-during-flood
https://www.payerandassociates.com/understanding-the-workplace-risks-faced-by-factory-workers/
