Do Seasonal Workers Get Workers Comp Benefits?

Do Seasonal Workers Get Workers' Compensation Benefits in FL?

On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | January 27, 2023 |

Millions of workers in the U.S. are seasonal workers. These include employers that work for a certain time to meet an employer’s increased seasonal demand, including retail workers during the holidays, lifeguards during summer, or agricultural workers whose jobs depend on seasonal harvests.

Fortunately, seasonal employees are legally entitled to receive workers’ comp benefits for injuries they suffer at work. Employers are required to treat all workers, including temporary and seasonal workers, equally during the course of their employment.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Can Receive

Workplace accidents happen all the time, and regardless of how long or short your gig is, you can suffer a wide variety of injuries while working. Some injuries from falls, trips, and slips can occur due to various tasks, such as running around the store to attend to multiple customers. Others, such as back injuries, can happen when lifting heavy objects. Likewise, other injuries can include motor vehicle accident injuries, being hit by falling objects, and injuries inflicted by violent customers or coworkers.

If you get hurt on the job as a seasonal worker, you can receive the following workers’ comp benefits:

It’s also crucial to note that you will be automatically eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits from the day you start working for your employer.

When Workers’ Compensation Doesn’t Apply

Your worker classification is vital when determining whether you can receive workers’ comp benefits as a seasonal employee. If you’re considered an employee or if you’re held to the same standards as regular employees, then you should be eligible for workers’ comp coverage. On the other hand, the situation becomes complicated when you’re classified as a subcontractor or independent contractor.

Generally speaking, subcontractors and independent contractors, including seasonal workers, must have their owner workers’ comp insurance coverage because they are not legally required to provide workers’ comp benefits for them. For instance, if a seasonal truck driver was hired to complete extra routes during the holiday season as an independent contractor, the company might have subcontracted them, so the employer may not be obligated to provide workers’ comp.

Talk to a Seasoned Port St. Lucie Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Now

Seasonal workers provide valuable services to many companies and are legally entitled to receive workers’ comp benefits just like part-time, full-time, or permanent employees. If you have suffered any injury while working as a seasonal employee, make sure to report the incident to your employer right away and follow the necessary steps when filing your workers’ comp claim.

If you need legal guidance navigating the workers’ comp system, get in touch with Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa. You can set up a free consultation with our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation lawyer by calling our office at 772-878-3880 or by sending us a message online.