Fast-food restaurants offer citizens in Indiana the opportunity to grab a quick bite to eat. This is handy for those who are on a brief lunch break or have somewhere to be.
The employees in these restaurants work extremely hard, often over long hours. In cooking and hospitality, there are also numerous hazards to look out for. What are some of the more common injuries associated with the fast-food industry? If you’ve been injured during the course of your duties, what legal options do you have?
Burns and lacerations
Nearly all restaurants serve piping hot food. This is prepared in various ways, and cooking oil is frequently utilized. Cooking oils are especially dangerous if they come into contact with a person’s skin. They reach much higher temperatures than boiling water, so the burns sustained during an accident with cooking oil can reach a severe degree.
Many workers in a restaurant also get involved in food preparation. This involves slicing vegetables, meats and other food products, which cannot be done without sharp knives. For a serious laceration to occur, the worker doesn’t even need to be using it at the time. All that it takes is for one of these sharp items to be misplaced. For instance, if a sharp knife has been submerged under soapy water for washing, then the next person who reaches into that sink is not going to see it.
Slips, trips and falls
As the name suggests, fast-food establishments can be extremely busy. Large volumes of people flow in and out of the building all day and evening, usually. This faced-past environment increases the risk of slips and falls for workers. It only takes one obstacle or spill to go unnoticed for a devastating fall to occur.
If you’ve been injured at work, then you may be entitled to legal compensation for your suffering and missed wages. This will relieve some of the financial burden of your accident and help you to focus on recovery. Make sure you assess your legal options in more detail before taking your next steps.
