Restaurant and hospitality workers face workplace hazards every day. Whether you work as a server, bartender, cook, dishwasher, hotel employee, housekeeper, banquet worker, or restaurant manager, the fast-paced nature of the hospitality industry can lead to serious workplace injuries.

At Stern & Cohen, we represent injured restaurant and hospitality workers throughout Pennsylvania. If you were hurt while working in a restaurant, hotel, catering business, resort, or hospitality setting, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to help.

Common Causes of Restaurant and Hospitality Worker Injuries

Restaurant and hospitality employees often work long hours in busy environments where hazards can develop quickly.

Common causes of restaurant and hospitality worker injuries include:

• Slip and fall accidents on wet floors
• Grease and liquid spills
• Burns from hot surfaces, ovens, grills, and cooking equipment
• Lifting heavy boxes, food supplies, or equipment
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Knife and food preparation accidents
• Falling objects and storage accidents
• Stairway accidents
• Workplace violence and assaults
• Housekeeping and cleaning injuries
• Delivery and transportation accidents

Workers in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, banquet facilities, and food service operations frequently experience injuries caused by both physical labor and hazardous work environments.

Common Restaurant and Hospitality Injuries

The physical demands of hospitality work can result in both sudden accidents and injuries that develop over time.

Common restaurant and hospitality worker injuries include:

• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Wrist and hand injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Burns and scald injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Slip and fall injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Head injuries and concussions

Many hospitality workers spend entire shifts standing, walking, lifting, carrying trays, cleaning rooms, or preparing food, placing constant stress on the body.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Restaurant Employees

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may be available if you were injured while performing your job duties.

Workers’ compensation benefits may cover:

• Medical treatment
• Surgery and hospital bills
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Wage-loss benefits
• Specific loss benefits for permanent injuries
• Workers’ compensation settlements

Whether your injury occurred in a restaurant kitchen, hotel, banquet facility, or catering operation, you may be entitled to benefits.

Repetitive Stress and Overuse Injuries

Not every workplace injury happens in a single accident. Many restaurant and hospitality workers develop injuries over time from repetitive physical demands. These injuries can be just as serious as a traumatic accident and may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can restaurant workers receive workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Most restaurant employees, including servers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers, and managers, are covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation and may qualify for benefits after a work-related injury.

Are burns and kitchen injuries covered by workers’ compensation?

Yes. Burns, cuts, knife injuries, and other kitchen-related accidents may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they occur while performing work duties.

Can hotel and housekeeping employees receive workers’ compensation for lifting injuries?

Yes. Hotel workers and housekeepers frequently suffer back, shoulder, and repetitive stress injuries from lifting mattresses, moving supplies, cleaning rooms, and performing other physical job duties.

Contact a Pennsylvania Restaurant and Hospitality Worker Injury Lawyer

A workplace injury can make it difficult to continue working in the demanding restaurant and hospitality industry. At Stern & Cohen, we help injured workers pursue the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

If you were injured while working in a restaurant, hotel, catering company, banquet facility, or hospitality business, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.