Top 9 Work-Related Injuries for Those in the Entertainment Industry

As a subcategory of the hospitality and leisure industries, more than 2 million workers are part of the entertainment, arts, and recreation sector. The professionals who work in these industries operate in various types of facilities and establishments that deliver entertainment, recreational, and cultural interests to customers.

Although the average number of workplace injuries in this sector is about 4.2 cases per 100 workers, for workers with jobs involving spectator sports, performing arts, and other related industries, the rate is even higher at 4.7 per 100.

General injury risks in the workplace

The severity and type of injuries you may suffer in the workplace generally relate to the type of industry sector in which you are employed. In general terms, workers can suffer serious injuries due to the following events or conditions:

• Slips, falls, and trips
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Repetitive motions
• Impact by an object
• Malfunctioning or defective safety equipment
• Overexertion
• Bending and lifting heavy objects
• Toxic exposure
• Falling from elevated heights

Common entertainment worker injuries

Workers in the entertainment and tourism industries, however, are exposed to additional risks not faced by many other workers. Some of the injuries individuals in the entertainment sector are at risk for include:

1. Spinal cord injuries or amputations from stunts ending in tragedy
2. Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive bending and lifting, particularly among hospitality and hotel workers
3. Electrical burns or shocks resulting from downed power lines or exposure to electrical cords and equipment on-set
4. Vision or hearing loss from explosions on-set
5. Slip and fall injuries suffered by those moving fast either on-set or among busy hotel workers
6. Water related injuries, including near-drowning incidents that cause oxygen deprivation
7. Skin reactions, particularly among hotel workers in contact with strong cleaning agents and chemicals
8. Trampling injuries in the event of a serious emergency
9. Serious injuries sustained by unruly and violent tourists

Regardless of the manner in which you were injured on the job, if your status is one of an employee, you have the right to receive workers’ compensation. Tennessee and Georgia’s workers’ compensation programs are both no-fault, meaning in order to collect compensation you only have to prove you were injured during the course of your employment duties.

Options for injured non-employee workers

Only employees may receive workers’ compensation benefits. The program does not cover independent contractors, even if those contractors are injured directly on the worksite. The only option available to a contractor regarding the recovery of damages when injured on the job is to file a personal injury lawsuit.

If you are an employee and injured by a third-party, you also have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit. This sometimes occurs when an individual is injured by a defective piece of equipment. A claim may be made against the equipment manufacturer for additional compensation. However, if you are successful in your lawsuit or receive a settlement, under law you may be required to send back 2/3 of the benefit provided under the Tennessee workers’ compensation program, referred to as a workers’ comp lien.

At Wagner & Wagner, our workers’ compensation attorneys have been advocating on behalf of clients for more than seven decades. We aggressively defend you against any attempts by your employer to withhold the workers’ compensation you deserve in the aftermath of suffering a workplace injury. We serve clients in and around Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN, as well as across North Georgia. To set up a free consultation to review your case, call us today at 423-756-7923 or fill out our contact form.