Flight attendants are some of the most high risk employees when it comes to work-related injuries. These employees conduct unique work that is different from other fields. Whether they are on the ground or flying high in the friendly skies, flight attendants are prone to various injuries due to many reasons. At Kaufman Law, we represent workers from many industries, including airline workers. If you have been injured as a flight attendant and aren't receiving the help you need and are entitled to, it is wise to contact an attorney that can fight your case for you.
Top Flight Attendant Injuries:
Back or Spinal Injuries
Herniated Discs
Hip Injuries
Head, Neck, or Shoulder Injuries, including whiplash
Wrist or Arm Injuries
Aerotoxic Syndrome
These injuries are typically caused by lifting heavy luggage, assisting disabled passengers, in-flight turbulence, rough landings, pushing/pulling meal carts, and falling items from overhead bins.
Aerotoxic Syndrome, also referred to as sick plane syndrome, is a type of illness caused by bad air quality while on board an airplane. This syndrome can greatly affect the health of the crew, and even passengers, on flight. For more specifics on this illness, we suggest reading here.
How Do I Handle My Injury?
Anytime you are injured on the job, you must file your workers' compensation claim with your employer immediately. Georgia law allows you up to 30 days to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you file any later, you could face a claim denial. Just because you have 30 days, however, doesn’t mean you should use it. To protect the health of your claim, file all the paper work as soon as possible (and make sure your employer does, too). To file a claim, you’ll have to fill out Form WC-14 and file it with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Next, send copies to your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
After reporting your injury, talk to your employer and see where you should seek treatment. Each workers’ compensation policy is a little different - some will let you see your own provider, while others require that you seek care within their network. No matter where you seek medical care, make sure you do it in a timely fashion. You don’t want to give insurance companies any excuse to deny your claim.
It's also essential that you remain compliant with all of your medical treatment. Missing appointments or failing to follow up with your care may cause a claims adjuster to think you’re exaggerating the extent of your injuries. Taking a proactive approach isn’t only best for your health, but also for your claim.
How Can An Attorney Help?
Often times, injured workers face claim denials, their employer does not cooperate, or their claim moves too slow. They don't get the medical care they need or the compensation that they deserve. When this happens, seeking legal representation is your best bet. An attorney can get the process rolling and communicate on your behalf, so that you can focus on recovery. For questions or further help with a workers' compensation claim, contact Kaufman Law. With over 40 years of experience, our firm can provide legal guidance so that you are correctly taken care of.