When people think of dangerous jobs, police officers, miners, or construction workers might spring to mind. Hotel, restaurant, and casino jobs might not make someone’s mental list, but the injury rate among workers in the hospitality sector is high. Common work injuries in the Las Vegas hospitality industry could result from accidents, criminal activity, and exposure to toxic or noxious substances.
All Nevada employers must provide Workers’ Compensation insurance so that employees are covered when misfortune strikes. Any employee having trouble getting benefits for a work-related injury or condition should consult an experienced hospitality industry workers’ compensation attorney at Shook & Stone immediately. Depending on the circumstances, an injured hospitality worker might also have grounds to sue a third party for damages.
Accidents Are Common in the Hospitality Injury
Many injuries to Las Vegas hospitality workers result from accidents. Slips, trips, and falls make up a significant percentage of reported worker injuries. This is not surprising given that workers in hotels, restaurants, bars, and casinos must navigate crowded premises that often have spills on the floor.
Many employees must work in storage areas where supplies are stored on high shelves and might suffer injuries from falling objects. Lifting or pushing heavy luggage, stacks of laundry, or housekeeping carts could cause harm. Kitchen and bar staff risk burns and cuts. They also might injure their backs by shifting heavy trays.
Many accidents are partially the fault of the injured person. When an injured worker makes a workers’ compensation claim, their conduct is immaterial—workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program. The one exception is that an employee whose injury occurred when they were high on alcohol or drugs is not entitled to benefits.
Violence and Crime Are Always a Risk
Violence and crime are always a threat to hospitality workers. One big threat is violence that could occur during a robbery. Although most people pay electronically, many hotels, restaurants, and casinos still hold significant cash. Patrons might drive expensive vehicles, carry cash, or wear valuable jewelry. These factors attract robbers and create a danger for everyone on the premises.
Alcohol consumption can lead to rowdy or violent behavior. Front-of-house staff like servers and bartenders, gaming room personnel, security guards and bouncers risk injury from unruly patrons. Bellhops, room service servers, and housekeeping staff risk sexual assault. Any worker who experiences violence at work might develop trauma-related mental health issues.
Workers’ compensation is available to hospitality industry employees who suffer mental or physical injuries due to crime or violence at work. In many cases, the injured worker also could bring a civil lawsuit seeking damages against a third party in these cases. A knowledgeable Las Vegas lawyer could review a specific situation and advise an injured hospitality industry worker of their legal options.
Job Duties and Working Conditions Can Have Health Impacts
Some work-related health problems do not result from a specific accident or incident but develop over time. One common example is repetitive motion injuries that cause pain and loss of function due to overuse of a particular body part. Kitchen workers, servers, and employees who spend much of their working day typing are especially susceptible to these injuries.
Some hospitality industry jobs expose workers to hazards like mold, toxic substances, or dangerously poor air quality. Over time, an exposed employee might develop a respiratory illness, skin condition, neurological impairment, or cancer.
Workers’ compensation benefits are available for conditions that develop over time, but the claims process can be challenging. Nevada Revised Statutes § 616C.015 requires employees to file a notice of injury with the employer within seven days of the accident. If a health condition develops over time, the seven-day period begins on the day of diagnosis. Even with prompt reporting, the workers’ compensation insurer might question the claim. It is best to seek help from a seasoned hospitality industry workers’ comp attorney when pursuing benefits for a job-related health problem caused by working conditions in Las Vegas.
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Work With a Las Vegas Attorney Who Is Familiar With the Common Work Injuries in the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality industry is the lifeblood of Las Vegas, and industry workers take risks to provide the experience visitors expect. If your job in a restaurant, bar, hotel, or casino caused an injury or health condition, you deserve compensation.
Common work injuries in the Las Vegas hospitality industry can impact your health and your ability to earn a living. Contact a local attorney at Shook & Stone for help today.
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