Restaurant Lawyer in Pine Hills, FL

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  • Can I be fired for filing a case against my employer?
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  • Should I file with EEOC before consulting an attorney?
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  • How long do I have to file a claim?
  • Why should I get an attorney?

If you work in a restaurant and suffered an injury at work or believe your employer may have underpaid you, contact us at The Leach Firm, P.A. We proudly serve restaurant workers in Pine Hills, FL, and the greater Orlando area. Call us today at 844-722-7567 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a restaurant lawyer.

Common Injuries in the Food and Beverage Industry

Restaurants pose several risks for work-related injuries. Knives, hot flat-tops, large tea canisters full of nearly boiling liquid, and broken glasses and dishware are all common hazards for restaurant workers. Common injuries for restaurant workers include:

  • Burns
  • Cuts
  • Punctures
  • Sprains
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Eye injuries
  • Amputation injuries
  • Assaults
  • Delivery driver accidents

Workers’ Compensation for Restaurant Employees

To claim workers’ compensation for an injury at work, you need to report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Your employer will inform you of the approved medical care provider you must see unless your injury is severe enough to require emergency medical treatment.

Part-time restaurant workers are also eligible for workers’ compensation, and it does not matter how you sustained your injuries when filing a workers’ comp claim. Workers’ comp is a no-fault system that helps injured employees get coverage for work-related injuries and wage replacement for time off from work. Contact our restaurant attorneys to learn more about workers’ comp for a restaurant injury.

Legal Issues Surrounding Pay in Florida Restaurants

Your restaurant lawyer can also help you determine if your employer has been underpaying you according to Florida law. The food and beverage industry is notorious for underpaying employees, including:

  • Charging you for broken dishes, glassware, or “dine-and-dashers”
  • Charging you for shortages at the register
  • Adjusting clock-in and clock-out times without your knowledge
  • Miscalculating or omitting overtime wages
  • Failing to give you a paycheck
  • Failing to notify you of tip pool deductions or credit card tips
  • Failing to pay you at least full minimum wage for slow shifts or for service charges
  • Sharing the tip pool with non-tipped employees
  • Deducting the tip pool below the minimum wage

Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Florida

The current minimum wage in Florida is $11. It increases to $12 on September 30, 2023, then another dollar each September 30th until it reaches $15 in 2026. The current tipped minimum wage is $7.98 per hour.

If a tipped employee does not make enough in tips to earn $11 per hour for their shift, an employer must make up the difference on the employee’s paycheck. The business operating agreement for many restaurants describes how employers must comply with this law.

Contact Our Restaurant Attorneys in Pine Hills, FL

If you work in an Orlando restaurant and suffer an injury at work or feel that your employer is underpaying you, contact us at The Leach Firm, P.A. Our office represents restaurants and their employees for legal issues involving workers’ compensation, wages, discrimination, and more. Call us at 844-722-7567 or contact us online to speak with a restaurant lawyer in Pine Hills, FL.