Despite Safety Measures, Workers Keep Getting Injured at Amazon

Amazon has some major stepping up to do when it comes to mitigating on-the-job injuries. As one of the top employers of warehouse workers in the U.S., the numbers for serious workplace injuries are disheartening to say the least. For 2020, the Strategic Organizing Center reported that for every 100 Amazon warehouse workers, 5.9 suffered serious injuries. What’s more, that rate is 80% higher than all other employers in the warehousing industry! Even when compared to Walmart, Amazon’s biggest domestic competitor, the statistics are scary. Amazon’s overall injury rate in 2020 was twice as that of Walmart’s, and the severe injury rate was 2.5 times as much. The numbers and life-altering injuries don’t lie – Amazon needs to do better at protecting its warehouse workforce.

Lebanon warehouse tries to reduce risk

Lebanon, Tennessee houses an Amazon warehouse with more than a million square feet and 1,000 employees. News Channel 5 investigated new safety measures the company has implemented in the wake of negative reports surrounding their workplace injury numbers. The general manager of the Lebanon warehouse cited longer training hours, frequent signage, yellow guiding lines, and a new feature called Working Well (a kiosk where instructors show employees how to best move boxes while reducing injury risk) as a few ways their location is combating workplace injury. However, with the chilling reports from 2020, will this be enough to protect employees from serious harm?

What should you do if you are injured at your Tennessee warehouse job?

Whether or not you work at an Amazon distribution center, serious workplace injuries happen often and in a variety of industries. High volume warehouses are many times the most common places for incidents. Unfortunately, companies are too often hyper focused on profit and production timelines to put in place ample protections for their employees. Don’t let them get away with it! If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.

What are your rights as an injured worker in Tennessee?

• Report without fear of termination. In Tennessee, employees have the right to report an injury or illness that they suspect may have been caused from work without the fear of being fired from their employer. Yes, it is illegal to fire someone after they report a work injury. If you feel you have been unrightfully terminated, contact one of our experienced Nashville attorneys today.
• Receive medical care. If your claim is approved, you have the right to receive both present and future medical care if it is deemed both reasonable and necessary by an authorized medical provider. If the employer denies medical care for a work-related injury, you, along with your attorney and medical provider, have the right to appeal the denial.
• Request a hearing. Within proper timing, an employee claiming workplace injury in Tennessee has the right to a hearing before a Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims judge. You may also appeal the decision to the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board or directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
• Right to challenge a denied claim. If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, this indicates that the insurance adjuster for your employer does not believe your injury deserves compensation. If this happens to you, you have the right to challenge the decision.
• Be wary of time constraints for claims. It is important to note that you are not eligible to request workers’ compensation benefits forever. For most cases, the injured has one year from the date of the incident to file a claim. In some cases, you may use the last payment of temporary disability benefits or medical benefits that were provided towards the cutoff date.

What are common warehouse injuries?

Whether the damages are permanent or temporary, suffering an injury at work can be devastating to your life and your family’s. Below are common injuries warehouse workers face, at varying severities.

·         Broken/fractured bones ·         Back problems/pain ·         Knee problems/injuries ·         Wrist injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome ·         Heart attacks

·         Crushing injuries ·         Shoulder pain ·         Neck pain ·         Chronic headaches ·         Severe burns

In the most tragic of circumstances, a warehouse worker may be killed on the job.

Injuries of all types qualify for TN workers’ compensation benefits

Whether you are out of work for a short time or foresee long-term suffering for your injuries, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Tennessee covers the following:

• Benefits for permanent partial disability
• Benefits for permanent total disability
• Benefits for temporary partial disability
• Benefits for temporary total disability
• Medical benefits for mileage, prescription medications, and surgery
• Death benefits

Compensation rates are determined by a number of variables. Tennessee adjusts rates based on the date of the injury. You can find official rates on the Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.

Why you want an experienced advocate on your side

Amazon is just one example of a large corporation facing a sea of workers’ compensation claims. While these companies are required by law to have insurance for these incidents, with the number of incidents they are receiving, don’t risk them mitigating your benefits. When you show up to work, you would expect a safe place to make a paycheck, not to sustain a serious injury. If your employer did not provide the proper precautions to protect you, get a Gladiator on your side to fight for your rights. You and your loved ones deserve ample compensation for your personal injury on the job.

Have you suffered an injury while on the job in Tennessee? Don’t leave it up to your employer to do what is right. Let us help you fight for your rights to fair compensation! Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm are committed to protecting the rights of injured workers like you and seek justice. Call us at 615-425-2500 or fill out our  contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our offices are located in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville, Tennessee.