Seasonal Worker Injuries During The Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, many employers in the Tampa Bay area will be hiring seasonal workers on both a full-time and part-time basis. While seasonal workers may have mistakenly heard information that suggests seasonal workers cannot obtain workers’ compensation benefits following a workplace injury, it is critical to know that Florida workers’ compensation law does cover seasonal workers. Our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers want to give you more information about seasonal workers in Florida and how a seasonal employee who gets hurt on the job can obtain coverage for medical benefits and lost wages.
Common Types of Seasonal Workers in Florida
In Florida, the idea of a “seasonal” worker can conjure a variety of circumstances, including employees who are hired “on season” during the winter months when many retirees travel down to second homes in Florida, employees who work during the summer months or over spring break due to an increase in tourists, employees who are hired to perform agricultural jobs at a particular time of the year, and employees who are hired to work over the holiday season.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the holiday shopping season results in a significant increase in business activity in Florida and throughout the country, and many retail stores and restaurants hire both full-time and part-time seasonal workers from about October through January. The most common types of industries that hire additional workers during the holiday season, according to the BLS, include the following:
- Home furnishing stores;
- Electronics and appliance stores;
- Health and personal care stores;
- Clothing stores;
- Sporting goods stores;
- Hobby stores;
- Book stores;
- Music stores;
- Department stores that sell general merchandise; and
- Restaurants.
Seasonal Workers Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under Florida workers’ compensation law, it is critical to know that seasonal workers can be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage. It does not matter if you are a part-time worker or a full-time worker. The length of your employment also does not affect your ability to obtain workers’ compensation coverage. To be clear, if you work for a covered employer and you sustain an injury that arose out of your employment, you may be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation coverage.
There are different coverage requirements for different industries. For the types of industries that hire seasonal workers during the holiday season, those employers usually must have workers’ compensation coverage if they have four or more employees (including the business owner or owners). In the Tampa area, many retail stores and most restaurants are required to have workers’ compensation coverage.
How to Seek Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Seasonal Injury
To seek benefits after a work injury, you need to report the injury to your employer before 30 days have passed from the date of your injury. Then, you need to see an approved doctor for a medical evaluation and subsequent medical care.
Contact a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you are injured while working in Tampa, it is critical to find out more about seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Whether you are a seasonal worker or a year-round employee of a business, one of the experienced Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers at the Franco Law Firm can discuss your claim with you today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440ContentsIndex.html
bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-8/holiday-employment-in-retail-trade.htm
