Charlotte Restaurant Employee Injuries Attorneys
Defending the rights of food service workers hurt on the job in North Carolina
Restaurant workers are exposed to a hazardous work environment every day. From fast food establishments to Michelin-star restaurants, there are many risks that can result in serious injury. Restaurants, delis, and anywhere that serves food and beverages hold a high potential for accidents. Spilled liquids and hot surfaces are only a few of the hazards that can take a worker out of commission for days or weeks, costing precious paychecks.
If you work in a restaurant and experience an accident and injury, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. At Price, Petho & Associates, we are committed to helping injured restaurant employees throughout the state. Whether your employer or their insurance company denies or disputes your claim, our Charlotte workers compensation attorneys will protect your rights and best interests.
What would you like to know?
- What are the most common injuries experienced by restaurant workers?
- Am I entitled to workers’ compensation if I’m injured on the job in Charlotte?
- To what benefits are injured restaurant workers entitled?
- What if a restaurant employee’s injuries were caused by negligence?
- Is there a worker’ compensation attorney near me?
What are the most common injuries experienced by restaurant workers?
Suffering a serious injury can result in missing significant time from work or even put an end to your career in the restaurant industry. The situation worsens as medical bills keep piling up. Your injuries prevent you from working to pay for those expenses.
Common causes of injury in the restaurant industry include:
- Slippery floors
- Sharp knives and kitchen utensils
- Hot oil or grease
- Hot surfaces
- Lifting or moving heavy objects
- Dangerous cleaning chemical exposure
- Malfunctioning or defective kitchen appliances
These types of accidents can cause injuries like:
- Burns. With stoves, hot liquids and dishes, and boiling water nearly everywhere in a kitchen, restaurant employees are at a high risk of burn injuries. Food service workers tend to experience burns at a higher rate than employees in other industries.
- Cuts and lacerations. Preparing food involves knives, meat and cheese slicers, thermometers, and other sharp objects. Broken glass also causes unexpected risks. These injuries can cause scars, blood loss, and in the worst cases, amputation injuries.
- Repetitive stress injuries. Although many food service and restaurant injuries occur in sudden accidents, some take months or even years to manifest. These types of musculoskeletal issues, like chronic back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other injuries also qualify for Charlotte workers’ compensation benefits.
- Car accidents. Food service workers like caterers, personal chefs, or delivery people often travel to different sites to do their jobs. If a motor vehicle accident occurs while working, workers’ compensation can help cover the costs of medical treatment and lost paychecks.
Generally, any illness, injury, or condition suffered during your job duties makes you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, provided it is serious enough to require medical attention and prevent you from working.
Am I entitled to workers’ compensation if I’m injured on the job in Charlotte?
Injured restaurant workers can recover workers’ compensation benefits if their injury occurred within the scope of their job duties. You don’t need to show that your employer was negligent in order to recover compensation. Once you file your claim, your employer’s insurance company will review the information and determine whether it’s valid or invalid.
In some cases, it is possible to make a third-party claim if you suffered an injury caused by the negligence of someone other than your employer. For example, if you suffered a severe burn injury caused by a malfunctioning oven that was later revealed to be defective, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the oven manufacturer.
In cases like these, you may be able to seek damages from both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Talk to our Charlotte attorneys to find out more.
To what benefits are injured restaurant workers entitled?
Workers’ compensation is a program meant to cover an injured employee’s:
- Medical care, including expenses related to the injury. This can include doctor visits, any necessary surgeries and treatments, follow-ups, prescription medications, and physical therapy needed to help your recovery.
- Lost wages, meant to help replace wages lost during your recovery time (if more than a week). You are entitled to a portion of your wages until you return to work. If you cannot return to your job, you may receive partial or total disability benefits.
- Scarring and disfigurement, in the event you suffer permanent and disfiguring injuries, like the loss of a limb, extremity, or loss of vision or hearing.
- Vocational rehabilitation, if you cannot return to your current job but could work in another role. These benefits can provide for job training, or assistance with job searches, interviews, and tuition.
- Death benefits, when an accident or injury is so severe an employee loses his/her life. These benefits are paid out to a worker’s family or beneficiaries.
Google Reviews
"My experience with Price, Petho & Anderson was fantastic. Mr. Anderson was responsive to my needs throughout the entire process. He worked on my workers' compensation case. He did an excellent job representing my needs with my former employer. Additionally, he was instrumental in getting me a generous settlement from the commercial trucking company responsible for the automobile wreck."
- Elaine Carter
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
Thank You to Margret Ford And Price Petho and associates for all your hard work and dedication. They made the process so easy with No hassels or worries. Thank you again for such prompt service!!
- Carolyn Black
What if a restaurant employee’s injuries were caused by negligence?
In some cases, workers may file a third-party personal injury claim for their injuries. Typically, when employees are injured during the scope of their job duties, workers’ compensation provides benefits and, in turn, workers agree not to sue their employers.
However, in certain circumstances, injured workers may file a personal injury claim. First, if our attorneys can show your employer was grossly negligent, and those conditions caused your accident and injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. This makes you eligible to claim pain and suffering damages in addition to other benefits.
Or, if a third party intentionally or recklessly caused your injury – for example, through a defective product, actions while under the influence, or assault – you are likely also eligible to file a claim against the liable party or parties.
Is there a workers’ compensation attorney near me?
Price, Petho & Associates has offices at 1420 Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte. We also maintain offices in Rockingham and Rutherfordton. If you are unable to come to us, we can make arrangements to visit you at home or in the hospital for your convenience.
Injury attorneys advocating for restaurant workers in Charlotte
Whether you are a server, line cook, chef, or any other food service employee, you have the right to recover benefits in the event of an injury or illness. The Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates help with delayed or denied claims, as well as ensure you secure fair and proper compensation for a successful recovery from your injuries. To set up your consultation, call 704-372-2160 or fill out our contact form. We serve workers in Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Google Reviews
"My experience with Price, Petho & Anderson was fantastic. Mr. Anderson was responsive to my needs throughout the entire process. He worked on my workers' compensation case. He did an excellent job representing my needs with my former employer. Additionally, he was instrumental in getting me a generous settlement from the commercial trucking company responsible for the automobile wreck."
- Elaine Carter
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
Thank You to Margret Ford And Price Petho and associates for all your hard work and dedication. They made the process so easy with No hassels or worries. Thank you again for such prompt service!!
- Carolyn Black