Amazon has been ranked as the largest global online retailer. Throughout the world it employs no less than 300,000 workers in many different capacities. These aren’t just desk jobs, but rather they are quite physically challenging, especially the warehouse jobs that involve handling all types of packages big and small throughout the work period, which could be either day or night. Accidents commonly take place, which means workers put in numerous workers’ compensation claims every year. In most cases these claims are allowed in most occupations, as employers are required to take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover the costs when a worker is injured. When you put in your claim there is a certain formula that is used to calculate what you are entitled to. Amazon Workers' Compensation Settlements There are different factors that go into calculating your Amazon, or another similar company’s, workers’ compensation settlement. These factors generally include the following: Medical Treatment This includes all medical treatment that is needed as a result of the injury while working at Amazon, or any other comparable company. Future Medical Treatment This refers to the treatment that may be required for you to undergo to treat the injury you sustained during a workplace accident. This includes all treatment you have to get until you have fully recovered and are able to return to work. Rehabilitation Rehabilitation is the process of helping an Amazon worker, or any other worker, to achieve the highest level of independence, functionality and quality of life possible. It is important to note that rehabilitation does not undo and/or reverse the damage(s) caused by the injury. However, rehabilitation does help to restore the injured individual back to their optimal levels of health, functioning, and well-being. Rehabilitation costs are included in a workers’ compensation claim. Missed Wages Missed wages are included in workers’ compensation for an Amazon employee and will vary depending on the type and the extent of the injury. For example, a worker who has suffered a permanent and total injury will receive two-thirds of his or her average weekly salary and/or wages. Additionally, there are some jurisdictions that impose a 3-day waiting period requirement. This requirement means you would not able to receive compensation for any lost wages during the first 3 days that you are not able to work unless you are in hospital or you are not able to return to your job for fourteen days. Legal Fees Legal fees refer to the payments to an attorney helping someone with their workers’ compensation claim. Only when an attorney wins a workers’ compensation case is when they get and need to be paid by their client. Upon winning a workers’ compensation case, the claimant’s attorney would receive a percentage of their workers' comp benefits or settlement which is normally between 10 and 20 percent. However, if a claimant were to lose their case, then no legal fees would need to be paid. Calculating the Value of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement There are many different jobs that need to be covered by Amazon which include: Unpacking goods when they arrive at the warehouse Goods inspectors Transporting goods into the various storage options Taking goods out of storage to make up orders The packing of orders ready for dispatch Preparing the shipping arrangements for goods When you calculate a workers’ compensation payment, 2/3 of the weekly pay is usually used as the base amount. This lasts for a certain period of time, and if there is a permanent disability resulting from the accident and injury a different calculation is made. The average hourly rate for an Amazon warehouse worker is $13.50 per hour, so for a 40 hour week that is $540. The approximate amount in workers’ compensation would be $360 per week. On top of that will be the cost of medical treatment. This is a payment calculated on the full amount of the cost of medical treatment, so it will vary between individuals. States set a limit on how long temporary workers’ compensation benefits can be received. The time typically ranges from three to seven years. If your injury has resulted in a permanent disability, there is generally no time limit fixed on these types of workers’ compensation benefits. If you have a higher ranking job and are not a warehouse person in Amazon, you may find your maximum workers’ compensation weekly benefit is capped at about $1,000 per week, regardless of the injured employee’s average weekly wage. This amount varies from state to state. Workers’ Compensation Is Not Available For Pain and Suffering Workers’ compensation law does not allow for any extra benefits, such as for pain and suffering. An injured employee is eligible for benefits because of his or her inability to work. If chronic pain is preventing an employee from going back to work, then the settlement is still based on weekly compensation, with no additions for pain and suffering. You May Need an Attorney If you find you aren’t getting the correct amount of money in workers’ compensation for your injury, you should contact a workers’ comp. attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney will try to ensure that you get the workers’ comp. settlement you deserve. 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.
