Do Workplace Injuries Increase Around Holidays?
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Do Workplace Injuries Increase Around Holidays?
The holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment and relaxation. But it can also be a time of stress at the workplace. This stress increases if you are injured at your workplace. And unfortunately, your chances of being injured near the holidays are higher than at other times of the year.
If you have been injured at your workplace, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the situation. With all the other responsibilities that you have during the holiday season, the last thing you need is to deal with insurance companies and paperwork. At Morgan & Morgan, we understand this and will help make the recovery process easy.
Get the stress relief you need after a holiday workplace injury. Contact us immediately to schedule a free case evaluation and learn how you can pursue compensation.
Why Do Workplace Injuries Increase Around Holidays?
Workplace injuries typically increase when certain risk factors are present. Holidays tend to be a time of the year when many risk factors are present at the same time. You can’t do much to prevent the danger, but you can be aware of what causes injuries and take steps to avoid getting hurt or hurting others.
Weather
Several major holidays take place during the winter months. For much of the country, this means that roads and entryways are often slick with snow and ice.
If your workplace doesn’t take care to keep the entryways clear of tracked snow and ice, it probably has slick floors. This can lead to more slips and falls, especially in retail businesses, where there is often increased foot traffic around the holidays.
Slick roads are also a danger if you work in the transportation industry. The holidays that occur in the winter tend to involve increased travel and deliveries compared to other seasons, so people who work in transportation can be at greater risk of being involved in accidents.
Increased Traffic
Nearly every major holiday results in an increase in travel, which can lead to extra accidents. If any part of your job involves driving during the holiday season, you should be extra careful.
This danger also applies to parking lots. Parking lots tend to be packed during most holiday seasons. While a car accident in a parking lot is less likely to result in serious injuries than one on the street, it still reflects a greater danger for workers.
Greater Work Loads
Most industries see an uptick in work during the holiday season. This doesn’t meaningfully increase your danger if you are a CPA or a secretary, but if you perform physical labor, this may increase your chance of experiencing a workplace injury.
The more physical labor you perform in a day or week, the greater the chance that you will suffer an accident. Workers in retail or warehouses, for example, can be injured while handling heavy boxes or scaling ladders. This danger may be compounded by tighter deadlines that are common during the holidays.
Seasonal Workers
Another reason that the workplace can be more dangerous during the holidays is that seasonal workers typically aren’t as well trained as regular workers and may be less likely to follow safety rules. This puts both the seasonal workers and others around them in danger.
Typically, there are two times of the year when seasonal workers are prevalent. During November and December, seasonal workers are often employed in retail locations. Those involved in warehousing and delivery may be most at risk of causing injuries.
When it comes to the other seasons, do workplace injuries increase around holidays? Seasonal workers are also commonly employed during the summer months when more people are on vacation. This can increase the risk of accidents during Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Independence Day. Typically, seasonal workers are hired in the food services and entertainment industries during these months.
Stress and Fatigue
Even though they are supposed to be relaxing, the holidays are often a stressful time for many workers. Demand for services usually goes up during holidays, which increases the stress on workers and makes them tired.
When you are exhausted at work, you are in greater danger of getting injured, particularly if you perform any type of manual labor or work involving heavy machinery. Delivery drivers, for instance, can be involved in accidents when fatigue impacts their ability to drive safely.
Alcohol
Nearly every workplace prohibits employees from drinking alcohol while working, but those rules may be broken easily during the holiday season. This is particularly true if your job throws holiday parties. Keep an eye out for employees who are under the influence. They may pose a danger to you and others in the vicinity.
Carelessness
Often, when a break from work is coming up, anxious employees will become increasingly unfocused. This can lead them to behave carelessly while handling dangerous materials or moving about in the workplace.
The biggest threat from carelessness is typically near the end of the workday. Distracted employees can forget to unplug electronics or clean up work areas, resulting in a dangerous work environment. Regardless of how much you are looking forward to a vacation, try to stay focused on your job throughout the final hours before a break.
What to Do if You Are Injured in the Workplace Near a Holiday
Typically, if you are injured at your workplace, your employers are responsible for any medical bills or other expenses that you incur. However, sometimes it can be tricky to get compensation. To help you receive the money you deserve, take the following steps after an injury:
Document Your Injury
Even if your employee is responsibly paying for your injury, you will need to provide them and their insurance company with documentation proving that you were injured. Take pictures of the injury and the scene of the accident immediately after being injured, and write down a description of the incident while it is fresh in your mind.
If your employer tries to deny you compensation, this documentation will serve you well when you fight that decision. Your Morgan and Morgan attorney can use it both during negotiations with the insurance company and during a civil trial if one is required.
Contact an Attorney
You probably don’t want to let your employer know, but you should contact a lawyer before reporting your accident. The earlier you have legal representation, the more likely you are to get the compensation you are owed.
Additionally, while it is illegal to fire someone for reporting a workplace accident, some employers might do it anyway. If you have already retained a lawyer when that happens, there will be somebody who can step in and defend your rights immediately.
Report the Injury to Your Workplace
Most businesses have a process for reporting injuries in the workplace. Typically, you will need to advise your direct boss and then fill out a bunch of paperwork. Even if you think your employer will be antagonistic to your claim, you should use the designated process.
If you are worried about some form of retaliation for reporting the injury, tell your attorney before you report, and make sure they are apprised of everything you do. Sadly, it is just a good idea to prepare for your employer to act in bad faith.
Enjoy the Holiday as Best You Can
Once you have reported the injury, there is usually little you can do other than wait. Your attorney may take action while you are waiting, but usually, your work is mostly done. Since it is a holiday, you should try to relax and release stress. This can help you recover from your injury more quickly.
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Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
My Boss Won’t Let Me Take Time Off During the Holidays. Can I Sue if I Am Injured?
Just refusing to let you take time off doesn’t make your boss liable for injuries you suffer at work during the holidays. However, your employer is generally liable for any injuries you suffer at work, so you should receive compensation if you are injured.
Typically, it is better not to sue your boss if you can avoid it. That will create an antagonistic relationship between you and your employer if you stay employed and may end in you being without a job. Your attorney will present all of your options and let you know if and when a lawsuit is your best option.
Do Workplace Injuries Increase Around Holidays for Specific Jobs?
Typically, jobs that involve physical labor or interacting with customers directly are more dangerous during the holidays. Some jobs where injuries are more common at these times are:
- Kitchen staff
- Warehouse workers
- Retail workers
- Delivery drivers
If you feel like your job is more dangerous during the holidays, take extra precautions to avoid accidents and injuries.
What Type of Lawyer Should Represent Me if I Was Injured at Work?
If you have been injured at work, you should consult with a workplace injury attorney. They are familiar with all relevant state and federal workplace regulations and can help you navigate the process of getting compensation for your injuries.
If I Was Injured at Work, Can I Receive Money for Any Time Off I Have to Take?
Yes, you are eligible to receive payment for the time that you miss due to the injury. A Morgan & Morgan attorney can help you apply for workers’ compensation and ensure that you pursue the maximum amount of money the law allows.
Can I Get Compensation if I Get Into a Car Accident While Driving to Work During the Holidays?
Typically, your employer is not responsible for any injuries you suffer in a car accident while driving to or from work. However, there are exceptions, especially if you are driving a company car or if travel is part of your job.
More likely, if you are injured in a car accident during the holidays, the car insurance policy of either you or the other driver (depending on the state) will cover any injuries you suffer. Your attorney will determine who is liable for your injuries and tell you how to best get compensation for them.
Consult With Seasoned Attorneys Who Handle Holiday Workplace Injury Cases
It is awful to get injured at work, especially during the holidays. The only redeeming value is that, with a good attorney fighting for you, you can get compensation for the harm you suffered. If you have been injured while at work during the holidays, contact Morgan and Morgan to schedule a free case evaluation with a workplace injury attorney.