Thousands of haunted house attractions in the U.S. employ workers who are trained to scare customers and give them the spooky experience they came for. However, sometimes haunted house patrons lash out in fear, forgetting that the monsters in the house are paid actors. For this reason, haunted house workers are often attacked, causing them to suffer physical injuries, such as bites and broken noses.
Common Haunted House Worker Injuries
The most common injuries haunted house workers are treated for include broken noses, which are often caused by customers punching or elbowing workers in the face. Professionals in the industry report also being bitten by customers, tased, and even set on fire. Haunted house workers are not only at risk of being injured by customers, but also by the duties of the job. Some workers are required to scream multiple times a night, while others must lift their arm repeatedly, causing a repetitive stress injury. Workers may also suffer slip and fall injuries as haunted houses are dark, smoky, and full of tripping hazards.
Workers’ Compensation for Haunted House Workers
Philadelphia employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance through either a state-run insurance program, private insurance company, or self-insured policy. Most employees are entitled to receive workers’ compensation for their work-related injuries and illnesses. Both temporary and full-time employees, as well as seasonal workers, are covered by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides benefits to injured workers.
However, independent contractors and volunteers are not eligible to recover benefits under the Act. Generally, independent workers are those who are free from the direction and control of their employers and supply their own work equipment. Haunted house workers hired as independent contractors should be aware that their classification as an independent worker renders them ineligible for workers’ compensation and they are personally responsible for any injuries they sustain on the job.
Third-Party Liability
While employees are restricted to workers’ compensation as their sole remedy, independent contractors are not bound by such a restriction. However, unlike workers’ compensation claimants, those filing a personal injury lawsuit must prove that their employer’s negligence caused their injuries.
In Pennsylvania, independent contractors may be also able to recover damages for their injuries if a third party other than their employer was responsible for their injuries. Laws on this vary by state, therefore it is advisable to seek the counsel of a workers’ compensation attorney.
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Assist Haunted House Workers in Obtaining Compensation for Their Injuries
If you were injured as a haunted house worker, contact a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. As an employee, you may be eligible for various types of workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expenses and wage loss coverage. We are dedicated to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that they obtain the maximum compensation to which they are entitled. For a free consultation, please complete our online contact form or call us at 888-PITT-LAW.
Located in Philadelphia, Bensalem, Lansdowne, and Reading, we represent injured workers in Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, and throughout Pennsylvania, including those in the communities of Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester, and Wynnewood.
