Amazon has become one of the country’s largest employers. Since 2018, Amazon has added roughly one million workers, bringing their total workforce over 1.5 million employees. Not every person who performs work for Amazon is an employee who is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. There may be some complex legal issues involved in Amazon workers’ compensation claims. If you have been injured on the job for Amazon, contact an Amazon injury lawyer at Williams & Roche to navigate your claim.
The Dangers Facing Amazon Workers
Amazon has been cited for having extremely difficult quotas that employees must meet on the job in addition to unsafe conditions. Unfortunately, employees end up pushing themselves under difficult conditions, and they end up hurt. This culture extends beyond warehouse employees, with reports declaring it even extends to drivers who are employed by Amazon. In some cases, Amazon has been reported to cut corners to ensure efficiency, and not report on-the-job injuries, resulting in an uptick in employee injuries.
One study details the extreme risks that Amazon workers face every day on the job. In the study, more than 40% of workers in Amazon’s warehouses reported getting hurt on the job. Of these employees, 69% of them had to miss time from work because of their injury. Amazon’s entire work process is aimed at maximizing efficiency, and it is notorious for causing physical injuries and burnout among its workers. Employees are tracked and rated while working, including the amount of time they take to handle packages.
Amazon workers could suffer the following accidents:
- Slip and falls
- Lifting injuries
- Overuse injuries
- Work-related car accidents
Amazon workers can suffer the following injuries:
- Back: The most common injury that Amazon workers suffer is to their lower back from continuously bending over to pick up packages and consistently lifting heavy weights.
- Shoulder: Workers can suffer an injury such as a shoulder strain from an accident or bursitis from overuse.
- Legs: Amazon employees stand on their feet in the warehouse all day long, meeting rigorous quotas and timelines.
Workers’ Compensation Claims for Drivers and Delivery Service Partners
You must be an employee of Amazon to file a workers’ compensation claim against their policy.
Amazon uses outside drivers and delivery services to handle the bulk of its packages. In this case, you would be considered an independent contractor who is not entitled to workers compensation benefits from Amazon.
Still, you could potentially file a workers’ compensation claim if you are employed by a company that does deliveries for Amazon. Then, South Carolina law requires them to have workers’ compensation insurance to cover you. If you are a self-employed delivery driver, you would not be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits unless you have purchased a policy yourself.
If you are unsure if you can file a claim, contact an Amazon injury lawyer at Williams & Roche today.
How Much Is an Amazon Workers’ Comp Settlement Worth?
Your settlement value is something that is unique to you and your situation. Some relevant factors that could influence the size of your settlement include:
- The severity of your injury and the extent of your permanent disability
- How much you were earning at the time of your injury
- The extent of the medical care that you need in the future (and whether that is a part of your settlement)
Even though South Carolina publishes a statutory list of the benefits you are entitled to for certain injuries, it does not mean that Amazon will fully compensate you in a settlement without you fighting for it.
What Happens if My Amazon Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
Given the number of workers that must be insured, Amazon tends to self-insure rather than purchase a workers’ compensation insurance policy. Since Amazon itself is paying for your workers’ compensation benefits, you can expect to have a hard time with your claim.
Amazon may give the following reasons for denying your claim:
- You did not provide adequate proof of your injury
- You were suffering from a pre-existing condition
- There was some sort of wrongdoing on your part that caused the injury
- The injury that you suffered was not work related
Even though workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, Amazon has been known to blame their workers for the injury and deny claims. Your own negligence should not and does not play a role in whether you are able to qualify for workers compensation benefits.
You Can Fight Back When Amazon Denies Your Claim
Thankfully, South Carolina law mandates that Amazon does not get the final say when they deny your claim. If they refuse to provide you with benefits, or if they have made any other decision that compromises your legal right to full benefits, you can file an appeal.
If your claim is denied, a commissioner on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission will hear your appeal. If their decision was not favorable to you, the next level of appeal is to the full Commission.
Contact a South Carolina workers compensation attorney today
You may deal with a number of legal issues connected to an Amazon workers claim, from having the initial claim approved to fighting for the medical care you need while you are receiving benefits. It is important for you to have legal representation from an attorney who knows the system. The attorneys at Williams & Roche are deeply familiar with how workers compensation works in South Carolina, both from representing clients and time spent working at the SCWCC. Contact an Amazon injury lawyer at Williams & Roche to navigate your claim. You can schedule a free initial consultation by sending us a message through our website or by calling us today at 803.784.0503.
