When we think about summer, we often think about our favorite foods of the season such as an ice cream cone at the beach or a hotdog at a baseball game. While these seasonal businesses see a major increase in revenue, they also see an increased risk of workers’ compensation claims throughout the summer months.
According to AmTrust Financial Services’ “Restaurant Risk Report,” June, July, and August see the highest reported number of restaurant workers’ comp accidents. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the industry experiences double the number of employees, many of whom are not as experienced and more likely to make mistakes.
Summer Employees Are Less Loyal
Matthew Zender, Senior Vice President of AmTrust, agrees. “If you’re bringing somebody in and they’re only working for you from June to August, they’re not going to be as familiar with the operation, and they also don’t have much loyalty toward the firm.” He explains that those workers who are employed by the company year-round tend to have more loyalty and will therefore wait much longer to see if an injury they sustained will heal itself, as opposed to those who are only with the company for a season.
Based upon Farmers Insurance claims data, in general, 10 percent of the U.S. workforce is in the restaurant industry, 25 percent of annual workers’ comp claims are by restaurants, and 26 percent of those claims are filed during the summer months. Over one-quarter of the workers’ comp claims filed by restaurants during the summer are due to punctures, cuts, and scrapes.
Preventing Common Injuries
Fortunately, there are certain precautions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of injury:
- Making sure all knives be kept in a known location or each properly labeled for their intended use
- Making sure employees are properly trained on cutting food safely and correctly
- Making sure all cutting boards are slip-free (or if not, then at least secured)
Generally, café and coffee shop employees have the most lost time by 45% compared to other types of restaurants. Since they tend to be smaller and yet cater to larger crowds, it can often lead to careless or negligent mistakes.
Getting injured can have a profound impact on your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. If you have been injured on the job, Henson Fuerst can help you receive the workers’ compensation benefits that you need. To learn more or to speak with one of our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers, call us at 919-781-1107.