If You Were Hurt at an Amazon Fulfillment Center or in an Accident While Delivering Packages, Call Our Philadelphia Amazon Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Help
Despite being one of the largest and most profitable businesses, Amazon is also one of the most dangerous places to work compared with similar businesses. Several studies have found that Amazon workers suffered 80% more serious injuries in workplace accidents (5.9 per 100 employees) than other similar businesses. Many of these injuries occur in Amazon warehouses or Amazon distribution centers, where the company emphasizes speed. But other injuries are caused during renovations and construction, such as this recent accident in Pennsylvania, which cost a 29-year-old worker his life during the construction of a new facility. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a workplace accident, call our Amazon workers’ compensation lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, for help.
Amazon employees hurt in workplace accidents may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Pennsylvania law. This includes workers hurt at Amazon warehouses and Amazon distribution centers, even if you are a temporary, part-time, or seasonal worker. Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation benefits provide compensation for two-thirds of lost wages and medical costs, as well as other benefits such as retraining or death benefits to surviving family members.
How to Recover WC Benefits in an Amazon Accident
Injured Amazon workers do not need to prove fault for their injuries or illnesses. This is because WC benefits are a “no-fault” system. As a result, injured employees will need to:
- Prove the injuries or illness were caused by employment
- Submit a timely claim to an employer (manager or supervisor)
- File a timely claim with the WC carrier
- Comply with all requests for medical treatment, documentation, and other WC carrier questions, and
- Follow the medical care recommendations of the WC physician or treating physician once you are able to use your own doctor.
Examples of What Amazon Injuries May Allow for Workers’ Comp Benefits
Amazon accidents involving forklifts, slip-and-fall accidents, truck crashes, falls from a height, falling objects, injuries sustained while lifting objects, and other accidents. Some of the most common injuries that workers’ comp benefits may cover include the following:
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations or loss of a limb or fingers
- Blindness
- Burn injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Broken bones or fractured bones
- Lacerations or deep cuts
- Organ injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries, especially lower back injuries, disc injuries, or sciatic nerve pain
- Shoulder damage
- Knee injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Strains or sprains, and
- Other serious injuries could result in catastrophic harm or wrongful death.
Will I Receive a Lump Sum Settlement?
Sometimes, but not always.
The vast majority of workers injured on the job receive period payments like a normal paycheck. A lump-sum settlement is a single payment made to an injured worker intended to cover all periodic payments that would otherwise accrue in the future.
There are advantages and disadvantages to a lump-sum payment. The advantages are that you will be paid a large sum upfront, which you can use to pay for home or vehicle modifications, expensive or experimental treatment that may not be covered, or move/relocate to a better home or area based on your disability. You may also be able to invest the lump sum and earn a significant return.
The disadvantages are that you may not be able to “undo” your signing. This means that if your work-related injuries worsen or your condition changes, requiring you to need more or different treatment, you may not be entitled to recover additional money if you accept a settlement. Further, if you are a poor money manager, a lump-sum settlement may be a bad idea.
Injured in an Amazon Warehouse Accident? Call Our Amazon Work Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates are not afraid to go up against Amazon and its WC carrier. We have over 40 years of experience handling workplace injuries and providing legal representation for workers’ compensation claims throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. If you have been injured while working for Amazon, you may be entitled to WC benefits. Learn what your legal rights are by calling 1-888-PITT-LAW for a free consultation.
