What to do When Burns Occur in Your Restaurant

In August, we told you about ways your insurance can help you in case of a burn accident in your restaurant. The burn risks associated with this industry are high, given the nature of food service.

A burn to a diner, employee or other party puts your business in the path of a major liability risk. You must take steps to address the incident and mitigate any problems arising from it.

How Your Insurance Can Help Following Burn Risks

Depending on who receives a burn, you may be able to use various forms of business insurance to help them.

Employees might benefit from health insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Health coverage may help a burned employee receive care for their injuries. Likewise, workers’ comp can help employees receive funds to cover job-related injury costs. They might use workers’ comp to extra medical costs or cover lost wages in case they have to miss work.

Likewise, general liability coverage is an integral part of many restaurant business policies. It can protect the store in case a customer or other party sustains injuries when dining with you. If a customer gets burned, he or she may sue the restaurant. Liability insurance might help the restaurant compensate the client or respond to a lawsuit.

What to do When Burns Occur

If someone in your restaurant gets burned by equipment, food or some other source, take action. Doing so can help you cover your bases due to the liability claims process that will likely arise.

·         You often have to follow specific reporting practices after a burn incident. Check your health code, restaurant, labor and employment rules for more specific information. You may need to notify your legal counsel as well as any regulatory authorities about the burn.

·         Contact your insurance company expediently. Find out about the proper way to document the incident and file a claim. Your insurer may require a specific filing process.

·         See to the well-being of the injured party. You might need to use first-aid, so it is always best to keep a first aid kit with burn treatments in your restaurant. If you need to call emergency authorities, do so immediately. Because of insurance rules, the injured party may need to seek care as part of the liability claims process.

·         Take detailed notes on what occurred during the incident. This can help support your insurance claim. Make sure you take notes on your own version of events, but also ask the injured party for their version of events.

Because the two parties likely have to work together in case of any insurance claims, ensure that you keep in contact with the injured party. This can help you establish open dialogue and cooperation. Remember, the best way to settle a claim accurately is to follow the rules.

Need restaurant insurance? We can help. Call Buschbach Insurance Agency, Inc. at 708.423.2350 for a fast, free policy quote.

Also check out - Diagnosing Risks in Your Restaurant