It might seem unlikely that an artist can suffer an injury while working on an art project, but artists who are employed to create works of art by a civic organization or private individual or business do face workplace dangers. Injuries can mean considerable financial loss if medical treatment is necessary and the injury prevents the artist from being able to continue working for some time. Many artists who are employed will find that their employer has workers’ compensation insurance which helps to pay the unexpected bills associated with a workplace injury. Artists employed in the Delaware Valley may be members of the Philadelphia Artists Equity. If injured, they may get assistance from this association. The Philadelphia Artists Equity The Philadelphia Artists Equity is an independent organization established in 1997 to help further the working conditions of professional fine artists who work in and around the city of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. The organization grew out of an earlier chapter of a national artists’ organization which was set up much earlier in 1949. The organization aims to protect artists’ rights and achieve, better working and economic conditions for working artists. Workplace Injuries Suffered by Professional Artists It might seem inconceivable that an artist can be injured while on the job. However, the amount of risk does depend exactly on the conditions they are working in. A large scale municipal painting project such as a mural may involve more risk than a small scale project inside a building. Paints and solvents can be toxic when mixed and used. Toxicity can cause skin reactions and respiratory illnesses. Painting projects can also be messy environments with scaffolding, canvas covers paint tins and tools scattered around, creating a slip, trip and fall hazard that can cause serious injuries if the artist falls on something hard or sharp. What to Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job as a Professional Artist Assuming your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, the claim process should be straightforward. All states with very few exceptions (Texas is one of them) have workers’ comp. rules which as an injured artist you will have to take notice of. Workers’ comp. is only usually available if you are employed as an artist and not a freelancer. All injuries should be treated first of all, even if they seem minor. Some injuries may only manifest themselves later. Your employer, or at least your immediate supervisor should be notified as soon as possible about the injury or illness and this should be followed up by an accident report. You can get help with a claim from your equity representative and if there are problems with the insurer, get help from a workers’ comp. attorney. Why Contact an Attorney Just having workers’ compensation insurance available as a back up in the event that an injury or illness occurs is not always sufficient for a claim to succeed. Insurers may make things difficult and can even allege that an injury or illness was not workplace related. If you do experience problems, contact a workers’ comp. attorney who can discuss the claim with you and advise you of your legal options if the claim is denied or payment seems insufficient. Disclaimer The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer, you may not be entitled to any compensation
