If your Fourth of July holiday led to you suffering a serious injury, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses from your employer. Most employers in Florida provide workers’ compensation because it is legally required. That means if you are hurt at work while engaging in work-related injuries, you can file a claim for the losses you endured.
At Ara Work Injury Law, our dedicated legal team is ready to help you with your Florida holiday shift injury. Understanding what your injuries are and what legal rights you have to compensation can be hard to do. With the help of our legal team, you will know what to expect.
Many Employees are Injured Working a Holiday Shift
If you were injured working a holiday shift on the Fourth of July or any other holiday, you may be facing a range of factors that contributed to your injuries and losses. Your employer may have been short-staffed, meaning you had to work harder and engage in more risky behaviors as a result. There may have been just too much to do, or someone may have been rushing to get through the work day. No matter what caused your accident, know that you are not alone.
Many retail, restaurant, and hospitality workers face a serious risk of injury when working during a holiday. Even if you did not have any type of added work, if you were hurt, you have the right to seek support.
Common Injuries to Workers on the Job During the Holiday
Workplace injuries increase in overall frequency during holiday shifts in some jobs because of the type of work you may be doing. Yet, any type of accident can occur, depending on the environment. Some of the most common worker injuries in the service industry include:
- Burns: Burns from equipment, electricity, friction, or heat are all common causes of workplace injuries during the hot months of summer.
- Trips and falls: As you are rushing from one area to the next, tripping and falling can occur. When that happens, you may suffer broken bones, scrapes, bruises, and even traumatic brain injuries if you hit your head.
- Car accidents: For those who drive as part of their job, the risk of a car accident during the holidays is also not uncommon. It can mean that you are faced with a wide range of serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and burns.
- Lifting accidents: Improper lifting can create significant muscle strain and damage to the spine. If you are working shorthanded, you may be tempted to push too far to meet the needs of the job, leading to injuries.
- Stress: There is also the risk of added stress during the job. In situations where you are facing intense stress from multiple sources, it is possible you could suffer a mental health crisis as a result of the work you are doing.
If you are hurt at work for any reason, your first step is to alert your employer, seek medical care, and then recover. Your employer should tell you where to go to get the medical care you need. Then, follow the recommendations for taking time off and follow up with your doctor over time. Doing so is critical to healing and protecting your health.
Holiday Pay vs Workers’ Comp: July 4th Work Accident
You were hurt while you were working during a holiday. In some professions, that may mean you are paid holiday pay, which may be more than what you normally earn during your shift. As a result, you may expect to receive fair compensation for missed time at work, which includes the higher bonus pay. There are limitations to doing this.
Workers’ compensation does not pay for missed days at work unless you miss at least 7 days. Then, it kicks in for the 8th day and beyond. If you miss work for more than 21 days, then you will be able to file a claim that includes those initial 7 days of missed work.
In terms of the value of your pay, it is paid at a rate of 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage. In other words, it is based on how much you have earned per week on average, not just on the day that you were hurt. Typically, this means the workers’ compensation provider will look back over the last 13 weeks, excluding the week you were hurt. They use this to determine what your average is. That is the rate you are paid at 66 2/3%.
In this way, you may not be receiving anything extra for being hurt and missing work on a holiday. Keep in mind that your employer may have very different rules that apply in your situation.
Why Reporting the Injury Immediately Matters
If you are hurt at work for any reason, one of the most important first steps for you to take is to inform your employer about the injury. If you are not facing a life-threatening or emergent situation, you should inform your employer of your injury at the time it occurred. If not, do so within a few days, with no longer than 30 days passing from the injury before you inform your employer.
If you wait too long, the workers’ compensation provider may deny your claim. Always act quickly in getting medical care, documenting what occurred, and filing a claim for damages. You do not have to navigate this process on your own.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Florida Injured Worker Attorney
Injured at work in South Florida? You have rights!
Call Worker’s Comp Attorney Ara Gechijian
561-934-3272
At Ara Work Injury Law, we know that holiday work schedules are not ideal, but they can be profitable for some. As a Florida workplace injury lawyer, we encourage you to seek our legal guidance before you settle your workers’ compensation claim.
By reporting your July 4th work accident with us now, you protect your future. Contact us now to learn more about the services we offer to help workers get compensation.
FAQs About Getting Injured While Working a Holiday Shift
1. Can I recover a holiday bonus if I’m hurt on the job?
If you’re injured while working a holiday shift, you may still receive pay for the hours worked before your injury, including any earned holiday pay or bonuses. However, once your workers’ compensation claim is filed, your ongoing wage replacement benefits will typically be calculated based on your average weekly wage over the past 13 weeks — not including discretionary bonuses. If the holiday bonus was guaranteed or regularly paid, it may factor into your compensation, but each case is different. Speak with a workers’ comp attorney to understand how your pay and benefits should be calculated.
2. I’m a new employee — can I still get workers’ comp if I was hurt during my holiday shift?
Yes, absolutely. Workers’ compensation coverage begins as soon as you start working, regardless of whether you’re a new hire, part-time worker, or seasonal employee. If you were injured while performing job duties — even on your first day or during a holiday shift — you are entitled to medical care and possibly wage replacement under your state’s workers’ compensation laws. Don’t assume you have to “earn” your coverage. Report your injury immediately and seek help filing a claim.
3. What should I do if I get hurt while working a holiday shift?
If you’re injured during a holiday shift:
- Report the injury to your supervisor or manager right away — even if it seems minor.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible and keep all documentation.
- Write down what happened, including where, when, and who witnessed the accident.
- File a workers’ compensation claim, and consider speaking to an attorney to make sure your rights are protected.
Holiday shifts can be chaotic, and some employers may push back on claims or delay reporting. Don’t wait — acting quickly helps ensure you receive the benefits and care you’re entitled to.
