Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorney Protecting the Rights of Tourism and Entertainment Industry Workers

Leveraging the strength of a reliable law firm for your workplace injury case

It might not occur to the average theatre attendee that entertainment industry workers face significant workplace hazards. The tourism and entertainment industry may have a lot of appeal from the outside with its glamourous costumes, smart uniforms and jobs that are a complete departure from the work environment of the average office or factory worker. But entertainment industry workers do get injured at work and they require medical care and pay for any necessary time off from work provided by the Mississippi workers’ compensation program.

Sometimes, when a worker files a workers’ compensation claim for a workplace injury, their employer’s workers’ compensation insurer delays paying or denies the claim. If an injured Mississippi worker is facing a dispute with their employer’s insurer, a skilled workers’ compensation attorney from Merkel & Cocke, PA is here to protect your rights.

What comprises the entertainment and tourism industry in Mississippi?

Entertainment, tourism and leisure is a broad category which includes the following:

• Casinos
• Film and television production
• Musicians
• Stage performers
• Actors
• Dealers
• Hosts
• Tour guides
• Event staff
• Lifeguards

Information about the entertainment industry in Mississippi

The entertainment industry in Mississippi employs about 31.9k people, which is 2.7% of the population over age 16. This category includes entertainment, arts and recreation.

The casinos located along the Gulf coast of Mississippi are reminiscent of the gambling resorts of Las Vegas. They boast theatres, clubs, restaurants and fine dining establishments, performances by musicians form all genres from pop to the oldies, comedy shows, magic shows and so much more in addition to the poker, blackjack and slot machines that you expect to find at a casino.

Performing at these venues is work, and the stage is their workplace. If something goes wrong in a show and a performer gets injured and can’t work, they also need access to workers’ compensation benefits. Mississippi workers’ compensation covers lost wages from work when an entertainer needs to take time to rest before getting back to work, and medical expenses. It also covers vocational rehabilitation and death benefits for dependents of workers who die in fatal workplace accidents.

But casinos aren’t the only places that are thriving; the Delta has become a go-to destination for blues lovers from around the country. The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center and the Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum draw crowds from everywhere, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a bar or nightclub not playing some of the best blues music around. We may not have the national reputations that New York City, Hollywood, or our neighboring Georgia do, but film crews often set up shop here along our gorgeous coast line, or in the more aesthetically-rich areas of the gulf.

Examples of hazards tourism and entertainment workers might face in Mississippi

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 307 fatalities in the U.S. leisure and hospitality industry, and there was a rate of 3.4 injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in 2016.

Some of the hazards workers might face in a tourism or entertainment work environment might include:

• Slip and fall
• Vehicle accidents on lots
• Fire
• Electrical accidents
• High noise levels
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical exposure
• Hazardous working conditions
• Workplace stress
• Car accidents
• Bus accidents
• Train accidents
• Boat accidents

Must-see entertainment and cultural venues in Mississippi

The following is just a sampling of some of the entertainment and cultural venues for visitors and locals alike. The people who staff these venues are subject to a myriad of workplace injuries, and they may qualify for workers’ compensation coverage if they get hurt at work:

State Capitol, Jackson Vicksburg National Military Park Tupelo Automobile Museum U.S.S. Cairo Museum Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum Rosalie Mansion Rock and Blues Museum B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center

Stanton Hall Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center Lynn Meadows Discovery Center Biloxi Lighthouse Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Mississippi Children’s Museum Old Courthouse Museum Mississippi Museum of Art The Beauvoir Estate

Workers in the tourism and entertainment industry who have been hurt at work, and who are dealing with a workers’ compensation dispute can discuss their case with a trusted Mississippi workers’ compensation attorney from Merkel & Cocke. With our decades of experience helping other workers just like you recover the compensation they have earned after suffering a workplace injury, we are strong advocates for our clients’ rights. You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, and you never have to worry about attorney fees because you do not pay us until we have recovered compensation for you.

Schedule a consultation with a Mississippi workers’ compensation attorney today

At Merkel & Cocke, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve when you have suffered an injury at work or from an occupational disease. You can depend on our Mississippi workers compensation attorneys to secure compensation for your work-related injuries. We serve clients from our offices in Jackson, Clarksdale, and Oxford, and throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Call us at 662-627-9641or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation right away.