The United Parcel Service (UPS) is currently the largest package delivery company in the world. Nearly half a million UPS employees manage the worldwide delivery of roughly 5.5 billion packages each year — and the volume of these deliveries is only increasing.
While this uptick in business has undoubtedly benefited UPS executives and shareholders, the same cannot be said for everyday UPS workers. There is a human cost behind the considerable volume of fast-paced deliveries from corporations such as Amazon.
One recent report from Bloomberg Law suggests that UPS employees are “constantly looking at a clock” and are encouraged to focus on time and productivity metrics above all else. Unsurprisingly, this unwavering commitment to production over people has not only caused far too many UPS workplace injuries but has also created a “culture of fear” around reporting these injuries.
If you have been injured while working for UPS in Pennsylvania, you may feel uncertain or reluctant about filing a claim for several reasons. Perhaps a supervisor acted like your injury wasn’t a big deal or a coworker implied that your job could be on the line.
Whatever the circumstances, you should know that UPS employees have a right to seek workers’ compensation benefits after work-related injuries. To learn more about your options as an injured Pennsylvania worker, contact Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. to get started with your free, confidential case review.
Have You Been Injured While Working for UPS in Pennsylvania?
If you have suffered an occupational injury as a UPS employee in Pennsylvania, it’s helpful to review the state’s workers’ compensation laws to understand how they apply to you. Most employers in Pennsylvania are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees. This includes UPS, so you should be eligible for workers’ comp benefits if you are a direct employee of UPS.
If you are an independent contractor or non-regular UPS employee, you may not be eligible for workers’ comp benefits through UPS. You should talk to a Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorney to learn more about your options.
Assuming you are an eligible employee, you should be entitled to benefits for any work-related injury you suffer, including the following:
- Injuries you sustain while you are physically present and on the clock at your workplace
- Injuries you sustain while performing work-related duties outside of the workplace
- Injuries you sustain in car accidents that occur while you are driving for work-related reasons
- Injuries you sustain at work due to others’ actions, such as coworker errors
- Injuries suffered during workday breaks or at company events
- Occupational illnesses you develop from exposure to workplace hazards
- Cumulative injuries you develop over time from repetitive work strain or stress
Remember that you typically cannot claim workers’ comp if you were injured on the job while intoxicated or engaged in any form of misconduct. You are also generally prohibited from suing your employer if their workers’ comp insurance policy covers you.
Common Injuries Suffered While Working at UPS
Working for UPS in almost any capacity can be stressful and potentially hazardous. UPS workers are often expected to engage in intensive physical labor while maintaining a fast pace. As a result, the following types of on-the-job injuries and illnesses are common:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries, such as herniated discs
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Overexertion injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Ligament tears in the knees or shoulders
- Rotator cuff tears
- Wrist and ankle sprains
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Friction, thermal, and chemical burns
- Traumatic amputations and loss of limbs
- Blindness or deafness from hazardous exposure
- Slip and fall injuries
- Motor vehicle accident injuries
What to Do If You’ve Suffered an Injury While Working at UPS
If you suffer an occupational injury while working for UPS in Pennsylvania, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your work injury claim:
- Seek appropriate medical care as soon as possible. If you can, let your provider know you are seeking care for a work-related condition.
- Notify UPS of the work-related injury or illness within 21 days of the accident or diagnosis. It’s best to submit a signed and dated notice in writing and keep a copy for your records.
- Wait for UPS and its insurance company to investigate your claim. Within 21 days of submitting your notice, you should either begin receiving benefits or receive a notice explaining why your benefits have been denied.
- Contact a UPS workman’s comp attorney as soon as possible after your work-related incident. Many injured workers find it helpful to have a lawyer assist them with their application. It is even more vital to have legal representation if the company or insurer denies your benefits claim.
Compensation for UPS Workplace Accidents in Pennsylvania
If you are eligible for workers’ comp after a UPS workplace accident in Pennsylvania, you should be entitled to benefits for any work-related injury or illness. Workers’ comp benefits are considered “no-fault” because you are not required to prove that another party was at fault for your injuries to claim benefits. You are also still entitled to benefits if you were partially or entirely at fault for your injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to the following types of workers’ compensation benefits after a Pennsylvania work injury:
- Medical benefits – These benefits cover any reasonable and necessary medical expenses you incur due to your work-related condition.
- Partial disability benefits – If you cannot work at full capacity while you heal, these benefits cover up to two-thirds of the difference between your average pre-injury and post-injury wages for a maximum of 500 weeks.
- Total disability benefits – If you are unable to work, these benefits cover up to two-thirds of your average pre-injury weekly wages while you heal.
- Permanent injury benefits – If you suffer a permanent injury, these benefits provide a specific amount of compensation for a certain length of time. This is based on the severity of your condition and the affected body parts.
Talk to a Knowledgeable UPS Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Harrisburg, PA Today
If a work injury has sidelined you, the last thing you want to deal with is a complicated claim with confusing deadlines and calculations. Let the knowledgeable attorneys of Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. handle your UPS workers’ comp claim while you focus on your health and recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case with a Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer.
