The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many industries, including retail, warehousing, delivery, and manufacturing. As workloads increase and winter conditions create additional hazards, workers face a higher risk of injury on the job. Importantly, seasonal and holiday employees have the same rights to workers’ compensation benefits as full-time employees under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. As a result, employers often see an increase in workers’ compensation claims filed by holiday employees, particularly for injuries caused by falls on ice, repetitive motion, and strain to the shoulders, back, and knees.

1) Falls on Ice in Parking Lots and Outdoor Work Areas

During the holiday rush, employees may slip on ice or packed snow while walking into work, crossing an employer-controlled parking lot, or moving between buildings. These incidents can cause severe injuries—especially to the knee, hip, wrist, or head.

If your fall happened in a work parking lot or other area connected to your job duties, it may be covered by workers’ compensation. For a deeper dive, see our guide on slipping on ice in a work parking lot in Illinois.

2) Repetitive Trauma Injuries (Repetitive Motion Claims)

Holiday employees frequently perform the same motion all day—scanning items, sorting packages, stocking shelves, or loading trucks. Over time, repetitive motions can cause repetitive trauma injuries, even if there was no single “accident” you can point to.

These cases often hinge on medical proof and work-history documentation, so it helps to understand what evidence matters. We break that down in How Do You Prove a Repetitive Trauma Injury in Illinois Workers’ Comp? and our overview on Repetitive Trauma Injury in Illinois Workers’ Compensation.

3) Shoulder Injuries (Rotator Cuff Tears, Impingement, Strains)

Holiday season work often means more overhead reaching and lifting—putting workers at higher risk for shoulder injuries like rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, bursitis, and impingement. These injuries can start as soreness and quickly become debilitating, especially when the job demands constant lifting or repetitive reaching.

If you’re wondering how these claims are evaluated, our post on How Much Is a Shoulder Injury Worth in Illinois Workers’ Comp? explains the factors that tend to drive case value.

4) Back Injuries (Strains, Herniated Discs, Aggravations)

Back injuries remain one of the most common workers’ comp claims, and the holidays can make them worse. More lifting, twisting, hurried movements, and uneven outdoor surfaces increase the risk of strains and disc injuries—and can also aggravate preexisting problems.

For Illinois-specific guidance on how these cases are valued and handled, see How Much Is a Back Injury Worth in an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case?.

5) Knee Injuries (Meniscus Tears, Ligament Injuries, Worsened Arthritis)

Knee injuries are especially common during holiday season work because they can happen both ways:

• Suddenly (like a slip on ice in a parking lot or a misstep while carrying boxes), or

• Gradually (from constant squatting, kneeling, climbing, or repetitive lifting)

If you’re trying to understand what a knee injury claim may look like in Illinois, our guide on How Much Is a Knee Injury Worth in Illinois Workers’ Comp? covers the key issues.

UPS and Amazon Workers in Illinois Face a Holiday-Season Injury Spike

Holiday season work ramps up fast for UPS and Amazon workers in Illinois, including both seasonal hires and full-time employees. Package volume increases, routes get longer, warehouses run hotter, and delivery timelines tighten. For drivers, helpers, and warehouse associates, that usually means more lifting, more repetitive motion, and more time on slippery outdoor surfaces—exactly the mix that leads to workers’ comp claims.

In Amazon warehouses, the constant pace of scanning, sorting, lifting, and reaching can contribute to repetitive trauma injuries, especially in the shoulders, elbows, hands, and back. If you want a clearer picture of how Illinois treats these claims, our breakdown on Amazon Workers’ Comp in Illinois: Your Rights After a Warehouse or Delivery Injury is a helpful starting point—especially for employees who are worried they’ll be blamed for “overuse” injuries that build over time.

UPS workers often face a different version of the same problem: heavy packages, fast loading/unloading, awkward lifts, and long days during peak season. Whether you’re a seasonal package handler or a full-time driver, the job can put real stress on your knees, back, and shoulders. We explain how workers’ comp applies to those roles in UPS Workers’ Comp in Illinois: Help for Drivers, Package Handlers & Seasonal Workers (2025 Guide).

And for delivery workers who are in and out of trucks all day, winter conditions create another major hazard: slips and falls on ice, including falls in employer parking lots, loading areas, and customer premises. If that’s the scenario you’re dealing with, you may also want to read Slipped on Ice in a Work Parking Lot in Illinois? Your Rights Under Workers’ Comp and Third-Party Claims.

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Illinois Workers’ Comp Law Reference

For an official overview of workers’ compensation rights in Illinois, you can review the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission’s information page here:
https://iwcc.illinois.gov/about/workers.html

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Injured During the Holiday Season? We Can Help.

If you were hurt at work during the holiday season—whether from a fall on ice, repetitive trauma, or a shoulder/back/knee injury—McHargue & Jones, LLC can help you understand your options. We handle workers’ compensation claims in Chicago and throughout Illinois, including denials and disputes, and can also assist with initial filings.

👉 Contact McHargue & Jones, LLC for a free consultation.

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FAQ

Is a slip on ice in a work parking lot covered by workers’ comp in Illinois?

Often, yes—especially when the injury happens on property connected to the job (such as an employer-controlled parking lot) or while performing job-related duties. Coverage depends on the facts, including where the fall happened and why you were there.

Can I file workers’ comp for a repetitive injury if there wasn’t a single accident?

Yes. Illinois recognizes repetitive trauma injuries caused by job duties over time. These claims usually require medical support and a clear explanation of how your work activities caused or aggravated the condition.

What are the most common body parts injured during the holiday rush?

Common holiday-season workers’ comp claims involve the shoulders, back, and knees, as well as wrists and hands—often from falls on icy surfaces or from repetitive lifting and stocking.

What should I do after a holiday-season work injury?

Report the injury to your employer promptly, get medical care, document where and how it happened, and keep copies of all paperwork. If the claim is delayed or denied, legal help can be crucial.

What if my employer or the insurance company denies my workers’ comp claim?

Denials are common—especially with repetitive trauma injuries. You may still have options through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission process and should speak with a workers’ comp lawyer right away.