Steven Slater, the 38-year-old Jet Blue flight attendant who dressed down unruly passengers before exiting a plane at Kennedy International via an emergency slide, is becoming a minor celebrity for his willingness to speak his mind. What he really demonstrates is the ongoing workplace safety issues that flight attendants face thanks to cost saving measures.

Slater, like people who seek workers' compensation claims in New York, was reportedly injured on the job. Two passengers were fighting over the overhead storage bins, and one slammed a door into his head that one witness told the New York Times looked like it gave him a gash.

Whether the story checks out or not (there have been reports that it was a bag that hit him), the fact is that flight attendants are at increasing risk of becoming injured even if their employer ensures their OSHA workplace rights. The reason is the bag fees.

Savvy travelers who don't want to pay the checked bag fees that many airlines now charge will try and fit all of their vacation or business needs into a single bag to store in the overhead bin. Reports that they are heavy enough to cause back pain in workers was well known enough that Congress had considered passing new regulations.

Until they or the Occupation Safety and Health Administration focus on the prospect of back pain workers' compensation insurance claims by flight attendants, this issue is likely to grow. And Mr. Slater is just the most visible member of a group frustrated with their workplace safety.

If you've hurt your back or other part of your body while doing work lifting for your body, you can get help navigating the New York state workers' compensation insurance process. Contact us today to set up a consultation.