Delivery men and women often work all hours of the day or night doing their job. Delivering goods carries certain inherent workplace-related risks and from time to time, delivery workers sustain significant injuries or develop workplace-related illnesses. Most delivery workers will find that their employer, if they are not self-employed, should be insured for workers’ compensation. As an injured or sick worker who has genuinely been harmed at work, you may be able to recover all of your medical costs and a portion of any lost wages. How Much Do Delivery Men and Women Earn? Delivery work is a very varied occupation and wage rates reflect this diversity. If you are injured, your immediate past hourly or long term wage rate will be used to determine the level of compensation you deserve. Even though the exact numbers vary from case to case, we do have a sense of the rough averages for wages in the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2016 revealed that delivery workers earned around $16.70 an hour and $34,789 on average across the country. When a compensation package is calculated, these figures will be taken into consideration before a claim is settled. If you are unsatisfied with the amount, you could apply to the state Ombudsman, if there is one, or see an attorney. Lost wages in most states are usually calculated at about two thirds of the wage you might normally have earned. Injury Scenarios as a Delivery Worker Delivery workers may suffer from a variety of injuries and illness while working. Many of these are musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) of various kinds. MSD disorders can affect any part of the body, but because of the loading and unloading that delivery workers must do as part of their job, this usually means their back, neck and upper torso. The potential for injury depends on the range of goods that the delivery worker usually handles. Heavy boxes, cans, cartons and containers may put more stress on the body, eventually leaving the delivery worker unable to lift weight. Delivery workers are also exposed to injury from slips, trips, and falls while moving goods from the van or truck to the location they are destined for. This might include slipping on pools of water, tripping over uneven surfaces while carrying boxes or stumbling into a hole in the floor. An ankle injury may result in a claim for a disability benefit. Because the injury is only likely to be temporary, temporary total disability may be awarded if the worker cannot go back to work for a short while. A sprained wrist may mean that the worker can still work but will be given lighter duties. He or she may still receive temporary partial disability benefit. If the worker is permanently affected by the injury yet manages to return to work after a period of recovery, permanent partial disability may apply. A permanent total disability benefit may be paid out to compensate for a serious workplace injury such as spinal damage that has caused paralysis and means that the worker can never return to work. Collect Evidence of the Injury and Medical Treatment Whenever Possible A more realistic compensation payment may be awarded if sufficient evidence of the actual injury or illness as well as medical reports and costs are provided promptly. A workers’ compensation attorney can advise you regarding what evidence will have the most effect and how to collect it. If anyone at work or in the neighborhood saw the accident that caused your injury, try to persuade them to make a statement explaining what happened. Medical bills, hospital bills, prescription costs, and evidence of any other medical treatment should also be made available. How a Workers’ Comp Attorney Can Help You With Your Claim It would be nice to think that as an injured employee, your workers’ comp claim would be dealt with quickly so that you can recover any financial losses and move on with your life. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the outcome. There can be delays, hold-ups, and even obstructive action on the part of your employer or insurer. If this is what is happening or you just need some useful advice, talk to a workers’ comp attorney. If necessary, the attorney can help negotiate a fair payment on your behalf.
