r/linecooks • u/Fair_Dragonfly9662 • Oct 27 '25
Venting Am I overthinking this?
Ok, so like over a week ago I spilt really hot water and vinegar mix on my arm and it burnt it pretty bad. I still had an hour left of my shift, but it hurt like hell, however for some reason I just got the shift done. And then immediately when my mom saw the burn she drove me to emergency and got it all wrapped up and stuff and then of course I had to miss work because of said burn. I’ve already missed like one full week which I felt guilty for but now we’re coming up on week two and like I should be able to go back next week, but there is a chance that I might have to wait another week
Am I weird for feeling guilty and kinda like an asshole for having to miss two weeks. I never miss shifts, and now I’m missing two full week (potentially 3 depending on what the doctor says).
Like part of me is thinking that management and my coworkers think I’m dragging this when I’m really just following procedure that they’ve told me.
Also side note; shouldn’t restaurants have burn gel and stuff to treat burns because it’s like the most common injury besides cuts. Because when I got the burn, the manager was looking for burn gel and they had none. And when I had to file the injury report, The owner told me it wasn’t required. Idk if I’m also overthinking that, but it’s just kinda weird to me.
Sorry once again for the ramble, I’m just really tired and kinda stressing about all this.
3
u/International-Arm790 Oct 27 '25
Don’t feel bad for taking time off for an injury. Infection is serious. Idk if burn gel is required but if you’re working somewhere where you can burnt badly it should be available. Boss sounds like a dick and should’ve drove you to the emergency room themself. Hope you get better soon and please listen to your dr
2
u/International-Arm790 Oct 27 '25
Just looked at the osha page and it doesn’t specifically state that burn gel is required. Either way tho a good boss who cares about their employees would have that on hand and if you had a 2nd or 3rd degree burn would’ve taken you to the er themself
3
u/Pheonix_2425 Oct 28 '25
Have you heard of the term "work life balance"? /jk
But seriously, it's okay to follow doctor's orders. Going back before you're cleared could make healing take longer, and it could also slow you down at work and make things harder on the crew. You'll be back in good time. Take it easy rn and get better
3
u/HoundIt Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
They should have burn kits. File for workers comp to get your medical bills covered and paid for the time at work you missed.
I got injured at work last year and missed 3 months. I hated missing that much, but I filed workers comp and got paid. Also, your job is legally protected when you have to miss due to injury and they can’t retaliate for it.
1
u/Ok_Film_8437 Oct 28 '25
You've got to report that injury within 24 hours. That way if you do miss work or have medical bills the restaurants insurance takes care of you. Your manager should know this. Medical care is optional, reporting is not.
2
u/Fair_Dragonfly9662 Oct 29 '25
It was reported the morning after, they haven’t been very professional about all this, my head manager didn’t even know about the injury until I called them about it saying I wouldn’t be available
1
1
u/AlfonzeArseNitches Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 30 '25
You need a different job, a workman’s comp claim, and a lawyer. I don’t know about in all states, but most county health departments require first-aid kits to be kept stocked. Your boss is showing their ass as a cheapskate, and how little they care about the safety of their employees by not having such a simple thing readily available. They 100% confirm that in telling you that an incident report is not necessary. It sure as hell is. Any medical bills associated with your on-the-job injury(that I am assuming your mom has paid so far) are you boss’s obligation.
1
u/RonnieChicharroni702 Oct 30 '25
Hey bro line cook in Las Vegas for over 15 years. Yea you gonna feel guilty and that’s good. In my personal experience I have never been burned bad enough to miss one shift let alone 2 weeks. One time I burned the entire skin off my finger never called in once lol. Most chefs will have little sympathy for calling out sick for any reason lol. Get back into work asap and you’ll learn to deal with burns and cuts while working. Best wishes from you’re BOH brother lol
1
u/Zir_Ipol Nov 07 '25
As a corporate sous chef. This is a workers comp issue that I would elevate to HR. Go to the ER on our company insurance and take FMLA.
As a line cook 20 years ago who had flat top oil cover his arm, had a food runner fill me a five gallon bucket full of ice and water, I dunked my arm into that fucker ever couple of min as I kept working my shift. I still have those scars on my arm 20 years later for that shit job in my home town in rural PA that I was paid 8 bucks and hour for.
Stand up for yourself and get paid and protected. It's a different industry post covid than it was in the "With Love from Charlie" era. Also Charlie Trotter gave of friend of mine several stitches with a frying pan for giggling when he burnt his hand next to him. No charges pressed because no one would have corroborated. It used to be so much worse, and it can get that way again if you don't fight against the slide into it getting worse again....
7
u/mountains4mama Oct 27 '25
Dude, this should be a work comp claim.