If You Were Hurt at an Amazon Facility, Call Our Amazon Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA for Help
Despite Amazon being one of the largest and most profitable businesses, it is also one of the most dangerous places to work when 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 a workplace accident, call our Amazon workers’ compensation lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, for help.
Injured 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’ comp benefits provide compensation for two-thirds of wages and medical bills and other benefits such as re-training or death benefits to a family.
How to Recover WC Benefits in an Amazon Accident
Individuals injured in an Amazon accident do not need to prove fault for their injuries or illness. This is because WC benefits are a “no fault” system. As a result, employees will need to:
- Prove the injuries or illness was 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 examinations, documentation, and other WC carrier questions, and
- Follow medical 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 falls, truck crashes, falls from a height, dropped products, lifting objects, and other accidents could cause a variety of personal injuries. Some of the most common injuries that workers’ comp benefits may cover include the following:
- 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
- Strains or sprains, and
- Other serious injuries that could result in catastrophic harm or wrongful death.
Will I Receive a Lump Sum Settlement?
Sometimes, but not always.
The vast majority of injured workers receive period payments like a normal paycheck. A lump sum settlement is a single payment made to an injured worker that is intended to cover all periodic payments that would accrue in the future.
There are advantages and disadvantages of 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 have a significant return on your investment.
The disadvantages are that you may not be able to “undo” your signing. This means that if your 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 manager of money, a lump sum settlement may be a bad idea.
Injured in an Amazon Warehouse Accident? Call Our Amazon Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, at Larry Pitt & Associates are not afraid to go up against Amazon and its WC carrier. We have over 40 years of experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation claims throughout Pennsylvania. If you have been injured in an Amazon warehouse or Amazon distribution center, you may be entitled to WC benefits. Learn what your rights are by calling (888)-PITT-LAW or (877) 748-8529 or by sending us a message on our easy-to-use contact us box available here.
