Amazon Workers’ Compensation
Over 35 years of experience. Over $100 million recovered for clients.
Amazon Workers' Compensation Claims in New Jersey
Amazon.com is a U.S. e-commerce/cloud computing company founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, the CEO. It is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It first got started as an online bookstore and then diversified into toys, jewelry, MP3 streaming and downloads, furniture, food, video games, clothing, electronics, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays.
Amazon is widely considered to be the largest internet retailer in the world by total sales and market capitalization. It is also recognized for producing quality electronics, such as Fire TVs and tablets, and Amazon Kindle e-readers, and is the world’s largest producer of cloud infrastructure services with separate websites for several countries. Amazon employs roughly 575,000 people globally and approximately 350,000 in the United States.
Injuries while working at Amazon, or at an Amazon warehouse, could include suffering a concussion, a back injury from lifting and unloading items from vehicles, head trauma as a result of a vehicle collision, and leg and back injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident. These injuries can take months to resolve without proper treatment.
Workers’ compensation insurance offers benefits to workers who are hurt on the job. Employees may be eligible for workers’ compensation if they are involved in an accident while at work, or if they have been exposed to working conditions that cause illness.
Workers' Compensation at Amazon
The purpose of workers’ compensation is to assist injured workers in recovering physically and financially, and get back to work whenever possible. Workers’ compensation benefits also help to cover lost wages and medical expenses for injuries and treatment. If the accident has left you permanently disabled, you may be eligible to obtain additional compensation. There are situations when a different type of work, or even a career change, will be required after recovery from an injury.
Filing for workers’ compensation benefits is not easy, and it is imperative for those injured on the job to report the injury as soon as possible and file a workers’ compensation claim. If any of the employer’s deadlines are missed, a claim may be automatically denied. An experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly.
State workers’ compensation laws are different; however, the one thing they have in common is that injured workers receive benefits to help them recover from a work-related accident. The accident does not have to be serious to qualify for workers’ compensation, because even minor injuries/accidents that may have been partially the fault of the worker can qualify for benefits.
Understanding what is necessary to file a claim, the supporting documentation required, and the deadlines, can be confusing. It is vital that you contact an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney from the Todd J. Leonard law firm. We are here to help you navigate the process, get the right paperwork filed and be your voice along the way to obtain the fair and equitable compensation you deserve under the law.
Mr. Leonard’s law firm constantly kept in touch and on top of my problems. They were quick to respond to my legal needs and were very attentive and showed real concern to my issues. I highly recommend them to anyone needing legal representation.
– L.W. November 21, 2017
Head, neck and shoulder injuries at Amazon
A head, neck or shoulder injury can be completely debilitating, and cause lifelong medical issues.
Such accidents can occur in various situations, such as:
- Falling objects
- Slip and fall
- Car accidents while on the job
- Operating a Forklift
Injuries can include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Impingement syndrome
- Rotator cuff tear
A proven track record of success
Back and spinal cord injuries at Amazon
You can sustain a back injury in almost any job position at Amazon, especially if you work in stock, loading or delivery. Typically, many back injuries are the result of pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy objects. Some common work-related back injuries include:
- Fractured vertebrae
- Lower back strain
- Herniated, slipped/bulging discs
- Spinal cord damage
- Pinched nerves
There are no federal regulations regarding lifting on the job, so each employer needs to take responsibility to address that in safety guidelines and procedures.
Knee injuries at Amazon
A knee injury can be completely debilitating, restricting movement and the ability to carry and move heavy objects. It can happen in various situations, such as:
- Falling from a height and breaking the falling using the knee(s)
- Hitting a knee or knees on a sharp object when losing balance
- Falling heavily on a knee or knees after tripping on an obstacle
- Slipping and falling while carrying a product and landing on a knee or knees
Ankle injuries at Amazon
It is not difficult to twist an ankle when tripping, slipping and falling while working on the job. An ankle sprain happens when the foot rolls to the side or twists awkwardly, forcing the ankle joint to shift. It usually occurs as a result of physical activity. An ankle sprain causes ankle ligaments to stretch or tear. Often, with the right treatment, full recovery takes a few weeks. A more severe ankle injury could take months to recover completely.
Workers’ compensation for an Amazon employee typically compensates 70 percent of an injured worker’s weekly wages while recovering. Workers’ compensation rules differ from state to state, so it is best to discuss your accident with a New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney.
There are a number of things you need to do if you have been injured on the job at Amazon. They include:
Talk to your supervisor
Immediately notifying your work supervisor verbally and in writing to avoid any concerns of being told later that there is no record of your injury report.
Get treatment
Seek medical treatment right away.
Get correctly tested
Have the doctor order the right tests to diagnose your injury to know how long you are going to be off of work and what the best treatment plan is.
Notify Amazon of your accident
In most instances, notifying Amazon of your accident is mandatory. Generally you will have a few days to weeks to notify Amazon, either in writing or verbally. When in doubt, ask your supervisor who you need to talk to and what you need to do. Rules on reporting accidents do vary from state to state.
Document your accident
Document your accident and the injury in as much detail as possible for the accident report. Include names and contact information for any witnesses you may.
Find witnesses
Notify Amazon of any other witnesses to your accident.
What to do if you are injured at work
Seek medical care immediately or call for an ambulance if you are seriously injured. Proceed with caution, as broken or fractured vertebra or nerve damage must be treated with great care so as not to cause further problems. Keep a precise record of the nature of your accident and all subsequent steps to seek medical evaluation and treatment. Keep all receipts and bills relating to your incident. Keep management up-to-date on how long you are expected to be off work and tell them about all recent trips to the doctor. The more information they have, the less reason there is to deny a claim.
Workers’ compensation insurance does not cover non-economic damages, like psychological or emotional effects. However, medical costs are covered. That means that the total cost of all visits to the doctor, all tests, and medications and transport to and from appointments is covered. Lost earnings are also covered at a rate of 70 percent of what your pay would be if you were still working full time and not injured.
Please note: In New Jersey, the workers’ compensation carrier decides which doctors to send you to and pays for the medical treatment that the authorized doctor(s) provide. Most employers require a claim to be filed within a designated period of time and also provide all relevant documentation proving you did have an accident and went for medical care. However, there are many instances when employers deny workers’ compensation claims, even if you meet all the requirements. This is why you would need an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights.
It is important to reach out and talk to an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney and find out what your legal rights are as an injured worker.
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