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Spanish California requires Amazon and all other employers with at least one employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance. So, yes, Amazon does carry workers’ compensation. However, that doesn’t mean the road to benefits will be an easy one.
Amazon is a billion-dollar corporation with over one million employees in the U.S., and its warehouse workers suffer more than twice the number of injuries of non-Amazon warehouse employees. If you’re finding it challenging to file a workers’ compensation claim for your injury, the workers’ compensation lawyers at KJT Law Group can manage your case. We offer free case evaluations.
Amazon Offers Workers’ Compensation to Injured Employees
If you have an accident while performing your job-related tasks, Amazon’s workers’ compensation provides benefits. You’ll also receive benefits if you develop an injury or illness over time. For instance, you can seek benefits if you developed a repetitive motion injury, like carpal tunnel.
Your workers’ compensation benefits may include:
- Death benefits to loved ones if your injury or illness is fatal
- Educational or skills retraining if you’re unable to fully recover and cannot return to your job
- Medical expenses related to your work injury
- Temporary disability payments to compensate for a percentage of your wages lost during your time of recovery
- Permanent disability payments if you’re unable to recover
You Can File a Claim if You’re Part of Amazon’s DSP Program
Your role as an Amazon employee plays a huge role in your pursuit of benefits. For example, Amazon needs drivers to deliver its many products. To meet that need, Amazon set up its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program a few years ago.
If you’re a driver injured in an accident while delivering a package, you will likely file a claim through the employer who hired you. As with any employer in California, the companies involved in DSP must offer coverage to their employees.
Independent Contractors Are Not Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
If you are considered an independent contractor rather than an employee, you might not have access to workers’ compensation. However, you still have options for seeking damages. For instance, you could file a third-party liability claim if another party’s negligence led to your accident. This could allow you to seek damages for losses not covered by workers’ compensation, such as the full cost of your income and pain and suffering.
What Should I Do After an On-the-Job Injury While Working for Amazon?
If you suffer a one-time injury or discover you’ve been injured or made ill over time, your priority is self-care. If you need emergency care, you should see a medical professional as soon as possible and inform them that your injury is work-related.
You should also:
Notify Your Employer
Per the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), you generally have 30 days to file a workers’ compensation claim. The process of receiving workers’ compensation benefits starts with you reporting your injury. So, you shouldn’t put off reporting. There is a form that your employer gives you to fill out, and if you’re not given the form, you can download it yourself.
Once you give your employer the completed form, your injury will automatically be noted as work-related if the claim isn’t formally accepted or denied after 90 days. Your claims adjuster must authorize medical costs within one working day after you file a claim, and you will receive funds up to $10,000 for medical costs during the 90-day wait.
Gather Case-Related Information
While workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, you must have evidence to support your claim. These details could prevent the insurer from unjustly delaying or denying your claim for benefits. Supporting information could include your medical records, photos of the accident scene, and testimony from witnesses.
Visiting a Doctor in Your Employer’s Network
If you suffered an injury that requires emergency medical attention, you can visit your own doctor or an emergency room without worrying about coverage. However, if you can take the wait-and-see-approach to your condition, you must see a doctor in the approved insurance network. If you don’t, Amazon might not pay for the cost of any medical care you received, possibly leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses.
Consider Consulting a Lawyer
Pursuing workers’ compensation is seldom a straightforward process. The insurance company may offer less than you need to make ends meet. Amazon itself could discredit some aspects of your case, even blaming you for what happened. In either instance, you could benefit from the guidance of a personal injury lawyer.
KJT Law Group can file your claim, explain your options, and guide you through the claims process. You’re not alone in the aftermath of an on-the-job injury; we’re here to serve you in any way we can.
We Advocate for People Suffering From These Job-Related Conditions
If you suffered an injury that affects your earning ability, you could seek benefits that account for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. We advocate for people suffering from:
- Lower back strain
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hernias
- Neck sprain
- Back pain
- Muscle tears
- Tendinitis
- Pinched nerves
- Herniated discs
- Meniscus tears
This is an abbreviated list but may help you realize that any number of injuries can be work-related. You deserve to receive compensation if you’ve been injured or become ill while on the job.
KJT Law Group Fights for Your Workers’ Compensation Rights
We have a tradition of fighting for the rights of workers and standing against the self-interests of large corporations. Our workers’ compensation advocates happily take on any case, no matter how big or small, because we believe we all have the right to be heard and pursue justice.
At our KJT Law Group, we offer services in English, Spanish, and Armenian as we deliver compassionate counsel to each client. You will interact with your attorney and enjoy the benefits of the aggressive representation we provide in pursuit of a full and fair compensation settlement or judgment. We’re proud to have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.Call us at (818) 507-8525 to arrange your free case evaluation. We’re here for you.
