During the holidays, many people pick up part-time seasonal jobs in retail, package delivery, snow removal, and more. However short-term these positions, accidents can happen to anyone at any time. The good news is you have rights as a seasonal worker protected by Ohio’s workers’ compensation laws, and if you are injured on the job, you may be eligible for compensation.
The Holiday Hustle — Part-Time Jobs and Common Injuries
The winter months are the busiest for retailers, the postal service and parcel carriers, and city maintenance departments. This drives a part-time or temporary hiring spike to meet demand, with companies like Amazon and Target hiring hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers. Whether fulfilling orders at a warehouse, plowing roads, or even cutting down Christmas trees, you still have rights protected under Ohio law. Seasonal workers' most common injuries are slips and falls on ice, motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, and repetitive movement injuries.
Repetitive movement injuries result from repeated motions like lifting heavy boxes or repetitive overhead work. Many seasonal workers suffer back, neck, and shoulder injuries when starting a new job with more physical demands than their bodies are accustomed to.
Fortunately, workers' compensation covers claims when an injury develops gradually over time due to performing job-related duties. These types of injuries often develop within a few days or weeks of starting a new job or an increase in physical work. The injury doesn't need to result from a single, specific event. You may suffer a compensable injury if your job requires more bending, lifting, walking, or overhead movement.
What You Need to Know about Workers’ Compensation
Workers' compensation includes financial and medical benefits for employees injured on the job or contract occupational diseases. Workers’ compensation covers numerous injuries and incidents of a wide range of severity, including falls, burns, repetitive injuries like carpal tunnel and arthritis, broken bones and fractures, spine and brain injuries, amputation, and occupational diseases like cancer, COPD, asthma, and more. However, the burden of proof that they suffered medical conditions (diagnosis) and that the workplace injury caused it falls to the affected worker.
The most crucial aspect of any workplace injury case is strong evidence proving you were injured at work. You need medical evidence that demonstrates you were diagnosed with a medical condition and it is the result of your workplace injury. Strong medical evidence is crucial for a successful workplace injury claim. This requires seeking prompt medical attention and obtaining a diagnosis from a medical professional. The medical provider must establish a causal link between your diagnosed condition and workplace injury.
Here's why seeking early medical attention is crucial:
- It increases the likelihood of a doctor connecting your injury to the workplace incident. The closer in time your medical care is to the injury, the stronger the evidence.
- It helps counter potential employer defenses. Employers may argue that the injury did not occur at work because there's no documented medical care shortly after the incident.
In summary, seeking prompt medical attention and securing a diagnosis with a clear link to your workplace injury strengthens your claim.
How Should I Report My Injury?
For most people, experiencing a workplace injury is unfamiliar territory. This can be particularly stressful and confusing for seasonal workers who are unsure of the company's reporting procedures or even the names of their supervisors and coworkers. Nevertheless, securing evidence of your injury is crucial.
Seasonal employees may not be familiar with the injury reporting procedure or know who to contact. If you are unsure of the reporting process, it's best to inform all medical providers about the cause of your injury and let them know it happened at work. You should also complete a First Report of Injury as soon as possible to document the incident.
Building a solid case for your compensation claim starts with properly reporting an injury. Begin documenting everything as soon as possible.
- Always notify your employer in writing that you were injured at work. Send a text message or email to your supervisor immediately after the injury.
- Seek immediate medical attention from an urgent care or local emergency room. Remember, you are not required to go to the doctor your employer refers you to. Go to an independent medical provider.
- Keep a detailed record of your medical care, including appointments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
- Save any documentation that proves your employment, such as pay stubs, uniforms, or company-branded apparel.
You must also file a First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease, or Death with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. If you have not filed a report, contact NRS Injury Law and we can assist you with filing a claim and properly reporting your injury.
Why You Need an Attorney — Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Navigating the complexities of the legal system and a workers’ compensation claim can be challenging. Forging ahead on your own may result in a small award or losing your case altogether. Hiring experienced legal representatives from NRS Injury Law gives you access to a team that knows the system and how to work it. An attorney can guide you through the claims process, help you build a strong case, negotiate for a settlement, and ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case.
How NRS Injury Law Can Help
We are the largest workers’ compensation firm in Ohio and are here to advocate for you at every stage of the process. Our team will help you understand your options and ensure your rights are protected. We do not charge any retainers or monthly fees — you do not pay unless we win. Contact our team today at 855-GOT-HURT or fill out the online form for your free case evaluation.
