Jul 13, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Restaurants can have many hazards for employees. From waiters and busboys and kitchen staff and chefs, there are many ways to get hurt. If you work in a restaurant, you have to be careful so that you do not get into an accident at work. Restaurant staff safety is something that all restaurants should ensure.
How-to Ensure Restaurant Staff Safety: Safe at Work
Waitstaff
Being a waitress or waiter has its risks. Restaurant floors can be slick, so make sure to wear appropriate shoes. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are a good option. This could keep you from falling. A way to help ensure restaurant staff safety is to make sure floors are not wet or slippery. Non-skid floor mats can help prevent someone from slipping and falling. Placing mirrors on blind corners can lower the risk of employees running into each other in a busy kitchen and work environment. Another risk that waitstaff face is walking with heavy trays full of food or drinks. These trays could actually block the view while the person carrying it is walking, not to mention strain put on your body. The heavy tray could actually fall and hit the employee or someone else on the head.
Kitchen Staff
The kitchen staff is around many dangerous things while working. For example, they work with very sharp knives. There will also be very hot objects like stoves, deep fryers, and ovens. This increases the risk for burns. Knives and sharp tools should be in good condition and also sharp. An important part of ensuring restaurant staff safety is to make sure that employees are all trained on the equipment. They should also know how to properly handle and store sharp objects.
Since restaurants are usually very fast-paced work environments, they are at higher risk for accidents to occur. As an owner or manager, do not over-expect and push workers to go faster than they should. If someone feels rushed, they are more likely to make a mistake. This is when an accident is more likely to occur.
As you can see, there are many hazards that can come along with working in a restaurant. By wearing the appropriate attire, not rushing, and being properly trained, there is a lower chance of an employee injury and a higher chance of restaurant staff safety.
May 4, 2025 | Workers' Compensation
If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s time for you to take some action. We know you’re hurting, worried about being out of work, and trying to figure out your next step. It is not uncommon for someone injured on the job to try and handle it on their own. Most people, especially those in a tighter financial situation, will ignore the injury and continue to work. But, we’re here to tell you what to do, and what mistakes are most common for those seeking workers compensation. That way, you can receive proper compensation, and have the time to heal.
Injured on the Job: Common Workplace Injury Mistakes
Deciding to hold off on reporting the injury
If you’ve been injured, it is important that you file a claim as soon as possible. Think about it, a workplace injury is costly for a business. They likely try to avoid paying out as much as possible. Especially if you work for a company with low-morale. So, by reporting as early as possible— preferably at the first sight of injury, you are more likely to not face backlash or debate over compensation.
Deciding to only disclose the main injury
So, you’ve broken your leg. So, you report that and receive treatment. But, you’ve also received some pretty severe back pain from the fall. Because the leg injury was the clear, and obvious thing to fix— you’ve disregarded the back issues. But, not claiming that injury until after the fact can be pretty counterproductive. For starters, not reaching out to receive treatment as soon as possible hinders the healing process. But, it also can come across as a bit fishy to those worker’s comp people. Even though your injury is very real, and very painful— you run the risk of coming across as filing a fraudulent claim. In short, claim early and at the same time.
Returning to work too early
Many people will make the mistake of returning to work before they’re back to where they were. Depending on the company you work for, they might require you to sign something saying that you are back to 100% and have no further injuries. The problem with signing something like this, especially if you return while you’re still nursing the injury, is that you’re likely not back to 100%. You could still use physical therapy, a routine check up, cast removal, and so on. If you sign something saying that their end is all set and you are no longer hurt— it could potentially cost you a lot of money and headache.
Taking on too much, too fast
This one goes hand in hand with returning too early. You’ve sustained quite an injury. Getting back to full functionality, and the entirety of your job description might take some time. Your employer will likely compensate for this, and help where they can. But, there is the chance that they might not. Communicating your position, what you can handle, and how you need to process to go on your end— is vital to ensuring a safe, and healthful return to the workplace.
Mar 9, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Vocational rehabilitation is a form of worker’s comp. In short, this set of big words just means getting back into the work field. And that is what this form of worker’s comp does. When someone must stop working due to injury, this benefit helps them get back into the work field when the time comes.
Vocational Rehabilitation: How Does It Work
When you suffer from an injury at work, it is possible you will not be able to return to that same job. Whether your injury keeps you from preforming that job or the job is no longer available, you may not return. However, you will most likely need to work again. And in that case, that means you will need to find a new job. But sometimes that can be tough.
Therefore, worker’s comp offers vocational rehabilitation benefits. Under these benefits you can receive training for a new job. In the case that you want to change fields completely, these benefits also tuition reimbursement. By that standard, you may decide to go back to school and see a different area of work. In which case, these benefits will cover the cost of school.
Furthermore, you can still receive wage loss benefits during this time as well. So while you are receiving job training or going to school, benefits can also cover a portion of your previous wages.
How Long Does It Last?
These worker’s comp benefits can last for up to 2 years. Since transitioning back to work can be hard, these benefits help make the transition easier. Under these benefits, you can take the time you need to find a suitable new job. In addition, you can be sure that you prepare yourself either through training or education. Furthermore, these benefits take away the worry of finding a new job too quickly without feeling you can or want to do it.
In short, vocational rehab is a means of getting you back into a suitable position after a work injury. These benefits can come in the form of wages while you’re facing new job training, tuition reimbursement, and other mean that can allow for you to make the same amount of money, if not more, than you were making before the injury. Facing a work injury is difficult enough without the worry of making ends meet when it’s all said and done. For this very reason, vocational rehabilitation benefits exist.
Feb 16, 2025 | Work, Workers' Compensation
A worker’s hands can be some of their most valuable tools. Your hands are a crucial part of nearly any job. However, much like eye injuries, hand injuries are some of the most common in the workplace. With how important they are, it’s important to know how you can keep your hands safe…
Hand Injuries: Avoiding Common Injuries
Most common injuries
It’s important to first be aware of the most common hand injuries. Often times, cuts and punctures will be common, especially if you work around sharp or pointed objects. However, there’s also the risk of lacerations, which are deeper cuts that could cause more serious damage.
There’s also crushes and fractures. Crushes occur when your hand gets caught between something, usual some machinery, and another hard surface like a wall. These could cause permanent damage, especially to the muscles. Fractures can also occur, as well as occurring after slips and falls.
Using protective gear
Protective gear goes a long way in avoiding hand injuries. The most used form of hand protection is, of course, gloves. However, not every kind of glove will work for every kind of job. That’s why it’s important to choose the right glove type for the job at hand.
For example, if you’re working with sharp objects, you’ll want gloves that are tougher with more layers of protection. Yet if you’re working with hotter objects, then you’ll need more heat resistance. Furthermore, if you handle chemicals, then you’ll need gloves which can protect against chemical burns. These are just a few examples, but it ultimately comes down to knowing what kind of protection you need while on the job.
Be smart when using machines
Gloves are just one part of preventing hand injuries. You’ll also need to be smart and safe when using machinery to help prevent crushes and fractures. This means being alert when using any machinery, as well as using any safety features they have.
Getting distracted while using machinery increases your chances of accidentally injuring your hands. That’s why your focus should remain on the machine instead of anything else that could distract you. Also, many machines will have safety guards or other protections that you can use to keep yourself safe while using or reaching inside of them.
Jan 26, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Depending on the conditions under which you work, you might find that you’re facing a handful of occupational hazards, or resulting injuries. While some may not be very serious, others can have a life long impact. If you work in factories, or construction sites, you might be exposed to loud noises on a daily basis. For this reason, among others, hearing loss can be a potential lifelong work injury that you receive. If you find yourself suffering from any degree of hearing loss as a result of the workplace, it might be a good idea to speak with an attorney about what actions you can take to compensate for your loss of quality of life.
Hearing Loss as a Work Injury
The state of North Carolina has some guidelines in place for how to deal with these cases. Like many other diseases and injuries, your hearing issues can be a direct result of your work environment. Therefore, employees may be able to receive workers comp for this. But there are some stipulations in these cases.
Total vs partial hearing loss. Permanent sensorineural loss of hearing in both ears would result in workers comp. In short, all that means is permanent deafness due to damage in the ear caused by exposure to a loud noise. In this case, an employees may receive up to 150 weeks of workers comp. That means around 2/3 of the employees weekly salary paid out for 150 weeks.
Partial hearing loss. In the case of partial hearing loss, the employer will only pay for any hearing lost while working at the company. For instance, most companies will ask a new employer to take a hearing test before beginning work. Therefore, they will compare the pre-test to a current test.
Loss in both ears. In order to receive workers comp, an employee must suffer loss in both ears. If an employee only experiences a loss of hearing in one ear, then he will not be eligible for workers comp.
Like many other injuries, hearing loss can leave you eligible for workers comp. However, having an attorney in place can help you make that determination. We wish you luck in facing this issue, and offer our condolences for you loss of quality of life.
Sep 16, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
You may be looking at ways to make money while on workers comp. If you’re injured and unable to work, you will likely only receive two-thirds of your regular pay. Keep in mind, working a second job or a side-job could affect your benefits. Check with your policy and laws before deciding to proceed.
Make Money While on Workers Comp: Ideas to Make Money
Sell Your Clutter
You can make money while on workers comp plus clean out your house at the same time. Platforms like eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace are a great place to cash in on things you are not using. Poshmark is more focused on clothing items, while eBay and Facebook Marketplace are for just about anything.
Rent Out a Room
If you have a spare room in your home, and feel comfortable doing so, you could rent it out on Airbnb to make money while on workers comp. This works best if you live in or near a big city, or an attraction of some sort. Beaches, state or national parks, or other scenic areas are top spots for people to want to rent a room. Don’t forget to check the rules of where you live to make sure you are allowed to put your place on Airbnb.
Take Surveys
There are plenty of websites where you can take surveys for cash. This is an easy way to make some extra money while on workers comp while on your phone or computer. Surveys will range in length and pay, but there’s money to be made.
Become a Driver
With rideshares growing in popularity, you can become a driver to bring in extra money. Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are options you can look into. These services have branched into food delivery as well, which will give another money making opportunity. Of course this is all dependent on what type of injury you have sustained.
Etsy
If you’re crafty, you could make extra money by selling items on Etsy. This site is great for arts and crafts. From jewelry to paintings, and handmade cards to sticker decals, there is a little bit of everything on Etsy.
If you need to make some extra money while on workers comp, there are plenty of options available. Your options may be limited due to the type of injury you have, and the rules surrounding your claim.
