What do I do if I get Hurt on an Under the Table Job?

Any time that an employee is injured while on the job, that person is eligible to receive financial compensation for the injuries inflicted. This program is known as worker’s compensation and is a right afforded to any employee across the nation. There are however some unusual circumstances that could bring into question if a person is truly eligible for this kind of benefit. One notable situation comes to mind and that is if an individual is working an “under the table” job.

By definition, an under the table job is one in which there is no paperwork of an individual working for a certain company, organization, or other individual; the worker simply does the job and gets paid in cash for his or her services or products. A basic example of this would be hiring a friend to do yard work for you and paying them in cash for it. Freelancer employees also tend to be more under the table, since their services are only required at certain times and are not based on an hourly wage.

The problem with under the table jobs, with regards to worker’s compensation, is that because there is no official record of employment, all or many of the benefits of being an official employee are gone. This includes medical insurance, dental, and, notably, worker’s compensation. In short, there is very often no way to collect worker’s compensation from an under the table job.

That does not necessarily mean that all hope is lost if you do find yourself in this kind of situation. State laws sometimes can work to the advantage of an injured person and if there is any documentation, there may be a chance. Realistically, if you are injured while doing an under the table job, you need to consult with an attorney to have your best chance of seeing any kind of compensation given to you. To learn more about how we at the Franco Law Firm can serve you in this role and to schedule a free consultation with us today, please call (813) 872-0929.