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Even circus performers get injured on the job, which a few of the celebs on the reality show, Celebrity Circus, debuting
on NBC soon discovered.
Page Six reports that three celebs were injured while learning circus stunts for the show. Janet Evans, an Olympic
swimmer, fell 15 feet off a trapeze; Clueless actress Stacy Dash cracked three ribs while on "the silks," a length of
fabric 30 feet in the air; and, Brady Bunch actor Christopher Knight fractured his forearm while rollicking inside a
human-sized disc called a German Wheel.
Page Six's tipster says the show provided the "highest safety measures." Michelle Arvin, general manager of NY Circus
Arts in Manhattan, a school which teaches circus activities to average folks, and is not affiliated with the show,
confirms that circus workers are highly trained performers who are seldom injured "if properly trained and properly
instructed." But, as many an injured employee-in a circus or not-has learned, training doesn't protect from the
occasional injury.
Will the actors and other celebs be eligible for worker's comp for their injuries? It may depend on whether Celebrity
Circus or NBC is officially an employer to the reality TV stars. And, you may not realize it but your company may not
be your "official employer" and therefore may not be responsible for your health bills should something happen on the job.
Worker's Compensation is a form of insurance given to an injured employee by an employer to cover the cost of medical
care and missed wages. Workers' Comp is not paid out by health insurance providers, but instead is paid for by the
employer.
Exact Workers' Compensation laws vary state by state, including whether or not an employee is eligible for Workers' Comp
if they're injured on or off work premises. Workers' Comp isn't affiliated with health insurance, and if an employee
tries to get health insurance coverage for an injury that occurred on the job they may even be refused reimbursement.
But, just because you are being paid by an employer does not mean you are viewed as an employee in the eyes of your
particular state. Independent contractors are classified differently than employees and that affects their ability to
receive Workers' Comp. Entertainers are often considered independent contractors and therefore many states exclude them
from compensation.
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They fly through the air with the greatest of ease and then... ouch!