Can Seasonal Employees Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
During the holiday season, many businesses hire temporary employees to help handle the influx of customers during the busiest time of the year. Since these employees are hired quickly and typically have little to minimal experience working in retail, they can get injured easier than more seasoned employees.
The most straightforward answer is that seasonal employees are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits after being injured on the job. Similar to employees hired on a long-term basis, seasonal employees can receive compensation for an injury.
Read more: Four Requirements Of Workers' Compensation Eligibility
What is a Workplace Injury?
A workplace injury is an injury that an employee sustains at work. This can include a one-off accident such as falling as well as injuries that can be built up over time, such as lifting heavy objects and repetitive movements working the cash register. In order to get coverage for workers' compensation, the injury must be treated by methods beyond traditional first aid treatments.
Seasonal employees can be more likely to get injured on the job due to a lack of experience and training. Seasonal employees are expected to work long hours in stressful conditions without having the knowledge of more experienced workers. This can lead to an uptick in injuries from seasonal employees.
Read more: Workers' Compensation Claim Vs. A Negligence Suit: When Is It Appropriate To Sue Your Employer?
What to do When You’re Injured at Work
When you get a workplace injury, the first thing to do is to make sure the injury is treated properly. This can mean calling an ambulance or getting treatment in another way. This is not only to treat your injuries to prevent further complications but to set up a paper trail. A paper trail is an important part of establishing where and when the injury happened.
If injured on the job, you should also file the appropriate paperwork at work and notify your employer. Even if the injury is not serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room it is still important to establish a paper trail. This will be important if you struggle to get workers' compensation from the business and need proof.
Read more: Which Employers Have To Have Workers' Compensation?
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Each personal injury case is different and it is no different when an injury happens on the job. A lawyer will help you determine if you have a case and guide you through the lawsuit process. There can be a lot of different factors when determining a personal injury and nobody should go through it alone.
While employees, including temporary and seasonal employees, are eligible for workers' compensation benefits when injured on the job, it can be difficult to make sure that you get what you're entitled to. Having an experienced lawyer by your side will make the process easier.
For more assistance on what to do if you are a seasonal employee seeking workers' compensation benefits, please call Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. at 732-906-1500. We will be happy to help you determine what your options are and get you through the process. Don't let being a seasonal worker prevent you from seeking the benefits you're entitled to.
Contact An Edison Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Personal Injury Case In New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries at work in New Jersey? Don't let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.C. represent clients in Edison, Brick, Freehold, Point Pleasant Beach, and throughout New Jersey. Call 732-906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.