Avoiding financial turbulence: Workers’ comp for flight attendants

A flight attendant’s job can be exciting, but it’s also highly demanding. You assist passengers, manage in-flight service and safety and keep a friendly face through it all. However, your occupation also has a high rate of injuries and illnesses.

Injuries can put your career on hold, often causing financial stress. If you get hurt on the job, you need to know how to protect yourself. Understanding your rights is essential for injuries that lead to workers’ compensation claims.

Common injuries for flight attendants

Acute and chronic injuries are common for airline cabin crews. Many things can lead to these issues, including:

• Back, neck or shoulder injuries from lifting heavy luggage, pushing service carts or doing repetitive tasks, which can cause conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Sudden in-flight jolts can cause bruises, concussions or herniated discs. Being thrown against a surface or struck by a falling object is a serious risk during turbulence.
• Irregular schedules that cause a recognized condition known as “shift work sleep disorder,” which can lead to fatigue and insomnia, increasing the chance of other accidents.
• Slips, trips and falls on slippery surfaces can lead to fractures or head injuries, often happening in the galley or on uneven ground in the terminal.
• Unruly passengers are a growing danger. You may suffer physical injuries from an assault.

The risks you face every day are real. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent report shows injury rates for flight attendants are much higher than for other private workers. It is essential to know whether workers’ compensation covers these injuries.

The challenge of workers’ compensation claims

Filing a claim as a flight attendant can be complex. You need to know these unique challenges. Jurisdiction is a big issue. Your injury may happen in a different state from where you live or where your company is based, making it hard to figure out which state has power over your claim.

Airlines and their insurance companies often challenge claims. This is especially true for chronic conditions or injuries that did not happen on the plane itself. Injuries related to stress or sleep disorders can also be challenging to prove as a direct result of work.

Steps to protect yourself

If you are hurt on the job, either in the air or on the ground, you can take these steps to protect your rights.

• Report your injury right away. Tell your supervisor to create a formal incident report.
• Seek medical care as soon as possible. Be sure to tell the doctor your injury is work-related.
• Document everything. Keep detailed records of all medical appointments, communications with the airline and any lost wages.

Following these steps can protect you and your future. A skilled Illinois workers’ compensation attorney for airline workers can help you with these complex claims.