Common Holiday Season Injuries | How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Many businesses generate a significant percentage of their annual revenues around the holidays. Seasonal workers come in, workers put in more overtime, and production quotas go up dramatically. An unfortunate consequence of that increased commercial activity is a similar jump in workplace injuries. What are the most common types of workplace injuries in Texas during the holiday season? How do you protect your rights in Texas when you’ve been hurt during the holidays?
Common Workplace Injuries During the Holiday Season
Though some holiday injuries are unique, most of the workplace injuries suffered in the last two months of the calendar year are the same ones that affect workers at other times. However, due to increased hours and activity, there are more of those accidents:
- Slips, trips and falls—The most common of all workplace accidents, these incidents can be caused by a variety of factors, from slippery surfaces—floors, docks, sidewalks, and walkways—to obstructions in the workplace, such as empty boxes, pallets, trash, tools, and other objects. The increased demand for consumer goods during the holidays has long been tied to the increase in warehouse slips and falls.
- Repetitive stress injuries—These may affect workers on production lines, as well as retail and clerical employees. Increased hours and increased production demands can put additional stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, leading to debilitating injury.
- Decoration-related injuries—While there are fire hazards in many workplaces year-round, the risk increases during the holidays, due to the presence of Christmas trees, wreaths, candles, and wrapping paper. Additionally, workers can be at risk of injury falling from a ladder or step stool while decorating for the holidays.
- Stress-related injuries—Studies have long shown that stress can be tied to increased risk of injury. It can put a worker at greater risk of stroke or heart disease, and it can also affect decision making, causing a worker to forget basic safety measures.
How Do You Get Compensation for a Holiday Workplace Injury in Texas?
Unlike other states, Texas does not require that employers participate in the state workers’ compensation program. However, as a practical matter, more than three-quarters of all employers in Texas subscribe to the state program.
If you’ve been injured, and your employer subscribes, you should immediately notify your employer of your injury and seek full medical treatment. Don’t expect your employer to help you through the process, though. You’ll be better served by hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you prepare and file your claim, and they can help ensure that you provide the necessary documentation to give you the best chance of getting full benefits.
If your employer does not participate in the workers’ compensation system, you will have to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover your losses. While that process typically takes longer, and may require that you take your employer to trial, you have the potential to recover more than you would through a workers’ comp claim.
Contact the Proven Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than 40 years of experience to workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and across Texas who have suffered any type of injury on the job. To learn how we can help maximize your chances of securing compensation after a Texas workplace injury, contact us by e-mail or call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
