Amazon has bases all over the U.S. As a huge employer, it is understandable that accidents at work happen quite often. Many Amazon workers are flex workers and work at irregular times and shifts. These workers are protected just as much as ordinary employees at Amazon if they have a workplace related injury, although it may be a little more complicated working out how much they should be paid in compensation. This explains why a workers’ compensation attorney can be of help. Company Profile: Amazon.com Amazon is now the world’s second largest online store. Its growth has paralleled the growth of the internet and the preference by many for shopping online rather than going to a shopping mall. Amazon.com is the U.S. branch of Amazon and there are other Amazon branches overseas. Amazon employs many workers who sort, pack and distribute the hundreds of different items now sold online by the company. The workforce is a mixture of regular employees and flex employees, who may work part-time or irregular hours when needed. Injuries are Common at Amazon Bases Amazon flex employees are busy all day and night dealing with the huge workload of online goods. Slip, trip and fall injuries are common resulting in cuts and bruises, sprains and strains, dislocations and broken bones. Sometimes, more serious injuries occur such as spinal injuries and head injuries following a particularly nasty fall from a height or when a heavy object or machinery falls onto a worker. The Workers’ Compensation Claim Process Following an Injury at Amazon Workers’ compensation is a no-fault type of insurance. You do not have to prove that Amazon was at fault and you may still obtain compensation if the accident was your fault, as long as you didn’t deliberately try and hurt yourself to claim compensation. You must let your supervisor know about the accident and how you were injured and you may have to complete a more formal record of the injury. This is necessary so that when you make a claim there is some way of confirming what happened. The claim procedure varies somewhat from state to state so you should find out from your employer or an attorney what you should do next. Your compensation claim is for the cost of medical treatment and part of what you may have earned if you had been able to work while your injury was being treated. This needs to be calculated carefully as an average of your previous earnings as a flex employee. A Workers’ Comp. Attorney Can be Useful Don’t expect to get a compensation payment automatically. The claim process can be more complicated than you think and you may find it easier to use an attorney to help prepare the claim. If your claim is denied, an attorney will almost certainly be essential when appealing the decision. Additional Resources Hurt Working for Amazon? Will You Need a Lawyer If You're Hurt Working For Amazon? *Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Amazon, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
