Warehouse workers are exposed to many dangers that can cause them to be hurt on the job, from operating industrial machinery to lifting heavy items to navigating crowded aisles. When something goes wrong, manual labor workers can be left with injuries that require expensive medical care and result in time missed at work.
However, if you suffered an injury while working at an Amazon warehouse in Pennsylvania, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. The attorneys at Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. are here to help you demand these benefits.
For more than 20 years, our workers’ comp law firm has guided injured Pennsylvanians through the often confusing workers’ comp system. We work to help them get the benefits they need for their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Let us do the same for you. Contact our offices today for a free consultation with an Amazon warehouse workers’ compensation lawyer.
Amazon Warehouse Accident Statistics
As Amazon increases its presence across the nation, injury rates among the company’s warehouse workers have also increased. As journalists have noted, injuries at Amazon warehouses accounted for almost half of all warehouse injuries nationwide in one recent year.
A union-backed safety data report found there were about 6.8 serious injuries for every 100 Amazon warehouse workers. That’s more than double the industry average of 3.3 injuries per 100 workers.
Common Injuries Suffered in Amazon Warehouse Accidents
Because warehouse work involves potentially dangerous activities such as operating large vehicles, handling heavy items, and using industrial equipment, these workers risk serious injuries.
Common injuries from accidents at Amazon warehouses in Pennsylvania include the following:
- Ankle injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint inflammation
- Chronic pain, particularly in the back
- Back sprains and strains
- Fall injuries
- Crushed, severed, or amputated limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
What to Do After an Accident in an Amazon Warehouse
Taking the right steps after an accident at an Amazon warehouse is crucial to getting the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. After you’re injured in an Amazon warehouse accident, you should:
Report the accident to your employer – To receive full benefits, you must report a work-related injury to your employer within 21 days of the accident. However, you should notify your employer as soon as possible, so they can get started on the workers’ compensation claim process. Make your report in writing. If you cannot report the injury to your employer yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to make the report on your behalf.
Document the accident scene – Take a moment to document the accident scene if possible. Use your phone to take pictures of the area where the accident happened, any hazards that may have contributed to the accident, and your injuries. It is also a good idea to look for any potential eyewitnesses, as they can back up your claim when you apply for workers’ compensation benefits.
Seek medical treatment – You may have to seek treatment from a doctor on your employer’s list of healthcare providers for 90 days following the first visit. After 90 days, you can choose who you see for your treatment. As your treatment progresses, save all your medical records and receipts.
File a claim – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) oversees the state’s workers’ compensation system. Once you tell your employer about your injury, your employer should make their own report to the DLI to trigger the workers’ compensation claims process. If your employer does not notify the DLI, you can find the necessary claims forms online and notify the DLI yourself.
Wait for the decision – Once you have notified the DLI about your accident, your employer’s workers’ compensation provider will review your claim. If your claim is approved, you will start receiving your benefits within a few days. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal, and the insurance company must provide a reason for its denial.
How Do I Know If I Have a Workers’ Comp Claim?
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires most employers in Pennsylvania to have workers’ compensation coverage. Nearly all part-time, full-time, and seasonal workers are entitled to benefits. Unless you are an independent contractor or belong to a category exempt from these requirements, you are most likely covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation policy.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault benefit in Pennsylvania, which means you do not have to prove your employer is to blame for the accident. All that matters is that the injury occurred while you were doing a work-related activity or on company property. If either of these criteria is met, then you likely have a valid workers’ compensation claim.
What’s Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?
If you’ve been in a warehouse accident at Amazon, workers’ compensation pays for two main types of benefits:
- Medical expenses — Workers’ comp covers all reasonable treatments and appointments related to your injury. These benefits continue either until you make a full recovery or you reach the point where more treatment would not improve your condition.
- Wage-loss benefits — If you are totally disabled and unable to work or partially disabled and make less than your pre-injury income, you may be eligible for wage-loss benefits to make up the lost income.
- Special loss benefits — If you suffer the permanent loss of body parts like fingers, hands, arms, legs, feet, or toes in an Amazon warehouse accident, workers’ comp may provide you with certain benefits depending on the loss.
Talk to an Experienced Amazon Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Pennsylvania Today
If you’ve been hurt on the job at an Amazon warehouse, you could be owed workers’ comp benefits for your medical care and a portion of your lost wages. Let the Amazon warehouse workers’ compensation attorneys at Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. help you file your claim to maximize your potential benefits. To learn how to file workers’ comp with Amazon, contact us today for a free consultation.