Standing Up For Victims Of Food Service Injuries In Iowa

Last updated on February 10, 2025

In the fast-paced food service industry, workplace accidents can happen in an instant. The injuries from such accidents, on the other hand, can impact your life far into the future. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you could have a long and difficult recovery ahead. You may also have many concerns about what your injuries will mean for your financial, career and personal stability. Workers’ compensation can play a vital role in helping you get the resources you need to address these challenges.

Located in Cedar Rapids and serving all of Iowa, we at Wertz Law Firm, P.C., are committed to helping injured food service workers pursue workers’ compensation benefits. With decades of experience, our attorneys focus solely on workers’ compensation law, providing focused support tailored to your needs. We invite you to contact us online or call us at 319-774-2687 for a free consultation to explore your options.

Helping All Types Of Iowa Food Service Workers

The food industry is incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide range of workplaces, from fast-food chains to sit-down restaurants to coffee shops to bars. Employers can be anything from massive chains like Subway, McDonald’s and Starbucks to small, family-owned operations. Job types are just as varied, including cooks, servers, baristas and bartenders. In this varied field, each workplace injury incident presents unique concerns. This underscores the importance of personalized legal support. Our dedicated Iowa legal team is here for injured food workers statewide.

An Industry With Many Unique Dangers

There are many different safety hazards workers can face in food industry jobs, including:

• Burn risks: From ovens, stoves, fryers, hot food, hot drinks and cleaning chemicals
• Fall risks: Such as slipping and tripping dangers like spilled liquids, bustling kitchens and dining areas, and dropped utensils
• Laceration risks: Broken glass and the knives used in food preparation could cause deep and serious cuts
• Lifting risks: Having to lift heavy or awkward items could result in back pain or shoulder injuries
• Confrontational customers: Encounters with aggressive patrons could lead to physical violence

And these are just a few examples. Food service work is very hard on a person’s body. This can make even seemingly mundane tasks potentially hazardous. Let us help you when the dangers of this line of work have caused you to suffer injuries.

What Are The Different Degrees Of Burns?

Burns are a very common risk in the food service industry. These injuries are split into different degrees, based on severity and depth:

• First-Degree Burns: This is the lowest severity level, in which just the outer layer of skin has been impacted
• Second-Degree Burns: These injuries are deeper, reaching beyond the outer layer to part of the inner layer
• Third-Degree Burns: This is typically the highest severity level, involving destruction of both the inner and outer skin layers and potential damage to things below the skin

The degree of a burn can have a big impact on your treatment needs and what your injury could mean for your future.

Our lawyers advocate for Iowa food workers who have suffered any degree of burn in the workplace.

Slip And Falls Are No Laughing Matter

Slip and falls are another prevalent hazard in restaurants and other food-related workplaces. There are many misconceptions out there about these accidents. One is that they are minor and even potentially comical in nature. The reality is that workplace slip-and-falls can be quite serious. They can leave food workers with major injuries such as fractures, serious sprains and head injuries. Strong legal support can be critical when you are facing such injuries and their impacts. Our lawyers are ready to stand by your side.

Five Issues Food Service Workers Can Face During Recovery

The process of recovering from a food service injury can be full of challenges. These include:

• Physical limitations: Your injuries may restrict your ability to perform certain tasks, both at work and in your regular daily life
• Pain: Persistent pain can color everything you do and make normally enjoyable activities unpleasant
• Financial concerns: Unexpected bills and lost wages can strain your finances
• Emotional stress: You can face many worries during your recovery, so stress and anxiety can build up quickly
• Pressure to return to work: Employers may directly or indirectly push for a premature return, potentially complicating your recovery

We’re here to help guide you back on the path to the future you desire in the face of such difficulties.

The Importance Of Workers’ Compensation For Food Workers

Under Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation system, employees can receive benefits for injuries they suffered in relation to their work. This can be a huge help for food industry workers when it comes to overcoming the challenges of the recovery process. These benefits can cover medical expenses, along with providing wage replacement and rehabilitation support in certain situations. Our attorneys understand the important role workers’ comp can play in protecting your future and are here to help you with every step of pursuing fair benefits.

Why Is Prompt Action Crucial?

Time is of the essence for food service workers when it comes to pursuing workers’ compensation. For one, there are key deadlines to meet. For example, in Iowa, you generally have to inform your employer of a workplace injury within 90 days to preserve your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Also, the sooner you take action to protect your rights, the more options you might have available. One key step in this regard is to quickly reach out to skilled workers’ compensation attorneys. Our team is ready to act swiftly to advocate for you and your future.

What Types Of Medical Treatment Can Workers’ Comp Cover?

Under Iowa law, employers are generally required to provide reasonable treatment for work-related injuries. This could include a wide range of things, including surgeries, therapies, medications and medical devices. What is considered reasonable varies based on circumstances, so disputes may arise over what treatment is appropriate. If this occurs, having strong legal support is essential. We will work hard toward ensuring your medical needs are met.

What If Your Employer Argues You Were Responsible For What Happened?

In Iowa, the workers’ compensation system is no-fault, meaning blame is usually irrelevant to benefits eligibility. However, exceptions exist. One that could be a factor for workers at bars and food establishments that serve drinks is the alcohol exception. Under Iowa law, employers are generally not required to provide workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that came about because a worker was intoxicated. We are ready to protect your rights should your employer try to argue that this exception applies to your case.

What If Your Employer Tries To Force You Back To Work Before You Are Ready?

Generally, under Iowa workers’ compensation law, your readiness to return to work is supposed to be determined by your doctor, not your employer. However, despite this, your employer still might try to rush your return. If this occurs, our team can help you stand up for your rights and protect your ability to truly recover from your injury.

Turn To Us For Trusted Guidance On Your Options

Discover what relief you may have available after food service injuries. Discuss your case with a member of our skilled legal team in a free consultation. You can set one up by calling 319-774-2687 or reaching out online.