If you are employed in Virginia’s hospitality industry, you probably perform a variety of labor-intensive tasks during each shift. Housekeepers often work especially hard, ensuring that each hotel room is clean, sanitized and free of clutter. During the state’s busiest tourist seasons, housekeepers must work quickly to accommodate new guests.
Combining the need for speed with physical labor is usually a recipe for disaster when it comes to incurring a work-related injury or illness. Even though you know that workers’ compensation can provide you with financial assistance in the wake of a work injury, it is always much better to protect yourself while you are on shift.
Some of the most common injuries hotel workers suffer include the following.
- Fractures, sprains or head injuries from slipping and falling
- Muscle injuries from performing heavy labor and forceful movements like pushing laundry or cleaning carts
- Repetitive motion injuries caused by performing the same tasks repeatedly
You probably already know about the injury risks above and may have even had to file a workers’ compensation claim at some point. However, physical damage is not the only risk associated with the hospitality industry. In many cases, hotel employees may become ill because of their work.
For example, you may suffer a respiratory condition from exposure to toxic substances. In another example, you could contract an infectious illness or disease from contact with a sick hotel guest’s linens and trash. In these situations, the benefits available through workers’ compensation are vital to ensure you continue providing for your family’s needs.
If you have trouble filing your claim or if your claim is denied, consider reaching out for legal guidance. An attorney experienced with the state’s workers’ comp laws can help you get back on your feet and back to your job.
