Municipal Worker Injuries Over the Holidays: How Holiday Pay May Affect Your Claim

While many industries close during the holidays, municipal workers are the exception. From maintenance crews to public safety staff, they’re responsible for keeping our streets clean and ensuring everything is working properly. However, what happens when they receive holiday pay while applying for workers’ comp?

While it doesn’t stop you from applying, holiday pay and scheduling often make a case more complicated. Learn more about how it could affect your claim and when it could become an issue.

Why Municipal Workers Get Injured More During The Holidays

In most cases, the holiday season is the peak for many industries. Unfortunately, that also means that injuries during this time are much higher than in other parts of the year.

A few reasons why include:

• Understaffing and mandatory overtime
• Longer shifts and fatigue
• Winter weather hazards (ice, snow, low visibility)
• More demanding work due to the holidays

When you factor in all of these situations, you have a greater risk of accidents. This is especially true for municipal workers who need to maintain public services year-round.

Are Municipal Workers Covered If Injured During Holiday Shifts?

Yes, workers’ comp still applies during the holiday season. This includes scheduled holiday shifts, overtime, and any other work responsibilities you’ve been assigned during this time. As long as you were on the clock while carrying out job duties, you can still qualify even if you were making holiday or premium wages.

How Holiday Pay Can Affect a Workers’ Comp Claim

While holiday pay won’t affect your ability to apply for workers’ comp, it may affect how they calculate your benefits. New York determines workers’ comp benefits using your average weekly wage. That said, they may include overtime or premium holiday pay depending on the situation.

This is where some confusion might take place. Insurance companies might argue whether they should include holiday pay or not, or try to use inconsistent pay periods to lower the final amount you receive. Even if holiday pay alone shouldn’t affect your benefits, any issues with payroll records might delay your claim. Always keep copies of your pay stubs, schedules, and overtime records to protect your benefits in case holiday pay becomes an issue.

Why Holiday Injury Claims May Take Longer

Holiday injury claims generally experience more delays compared to other times of the year. Last-minute shifts, understaffing, and unclear work assignments can make it much harder to prove when and how an injury happened. Employers and payroll staff may also limit their hours during this time, which can slow down injury reports and wage verification.

Speak To Our Lawyers Today

If you’re a municipal worker on the job this holiday season, remember that you have the right to claim benefits if you suffer an injury. Our New York workers’ compensation lawyers have decades of experience helping municipal workers defend their rights and receive the compensation they’re rightfully entitled to. If you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation, contact us at 855-622-7686 today.