Amazon is one of the world’s and the U.S.’s largest employers. Tens of thousands of people work in Amazon warehouses and as delivery drivers ensuring parcels get sent around the world and across the country. This work goes on every day of the year, day and night. Injuries from workplace accidents and illnesses that develop at work are regular occurrences. Injured and sick employees can usually obtain compensation from the workers’ compensation insurance that Amazon takes out, but this is not automatic. Successful claims depend on thorough preparation before the claim is submitted. A workers’ compensation attorney can help when preparing an Amazon workers’ comp. claim. Amazon Workers’ Compensation Pay If you’re an Amazon worker that is injured on the job, you can make a claim for workers’ compensation pay. Workers’ compensation is a government program that reimburses people for medical expenses and other expenses that they incur as a result of their workplace injury. Most people assume that workers’ compensation only covers medical bills. But that’s not true. Workers’ comp pays works for any expenses related to their workplace injury including things like: Doctor visit co-pays Ambulance rides not covered by insurance Medical tests and treatments not covered by insurance Follow care not covered by insurance Physical therapy or additional care not covered by insurance Lost wages for the time they can’t work Payment for lost wages if you are permanently disabled and won’t be able to work anymore Short-term costs like food and transportation while you’re not working Prescription costs not covered by insurance Pain and suffering The final settlement offer won’t be sent until after you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). At that point you will have a clear understanding of whether or not you will be able to return to work. If you can’t work anymore, you could be entitled to more money for compensation. If you have questions about Amazon workers’ compensation pay or how to file a workers’ compensation claim after you are injured working for Amazon, you should talk to a local workers’ compensation attorney. A local workers’ compensation attorney will help you submit your claim and make sure that you’re asking for all of the money that you’re entitled to. How to Claim Workers’ Comp from Amazon If you are injured while working for Amazon, or develop a workplace related illness, it is important to have this officially diagnosed by a doctor. You may need to use a doctor nominated by Amazon and their own preferred medical provider for treatment. It is important to find out if this is the case beforehand, unless there is an emergency, as your claim may depend on sticking to Amazon’s choice of providers. Let your supervisor know about any injury or diagnosed illness, especially if you take time off work to see the doctor or get treatment. You will also need to complete an accident report at work to ensure your injury or illness is documented. This will include the nature of the injury or illness, what caused it, when and where it happened. Each state has its own workers’ compensation rules. You should find out how these affect you. They determine when you should report your injury or illness, who you should file your claim with, when you should file it by, and how much you can claim. Preparation Needed for Filing the Claim It is important when preparing a claim for workers’ compensation to ensure you have all the right documentation which: Proves that the injury or illness was definitely work related Includes a detailed doctor’s or medical report describing the injury or illness diagnosis and recommendation for treatment Includes invoices for any medical treatment you have had to deal with Shows that the medical treatment received is only related to the injury or illness you are claiming for Includes any estimate of future treatment needed You may find that your claim would benefit from witness statements from fellow workers at your Amazon base. This is especially important if you suspect that the insurer may doubt or question whether the claim is for something that happened or developed while at work. You May Need an Experienced Workers’ Comp. Attorney It can be very helpful discussing your case with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney before submitting a claim. The attorney can assess the evidence you have available and provide advice on any other preparation you should make before filing the claim. If the claim is denied for any reason, you have a shot at overturning the decision through an appeal, but preparing for this can be a much more difficult process without professional legal help. Additional Resources What Do I Need to Know Before I File a Claim Against Amazon*? Help! I Was Hurt Working for Amazon*! *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.
