Amazon Accident Attorneys

FIGHTING FOR VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS WITH AMAZON

Amazon continues to expand, recently opening up a large warehouse in South Jersey at the Pureland Industrial Complex. Located on Center Square Road, this new 200,000-square-foot warehouse is a sortation center that will employ between 300 to 500 workers, sorting packages to be packed on trucks and sent out for speedy delivery.

Sortation centers like this are essential in making sure Amazon can provide same-day delivery, with a later cut-off for ordering times. It also means more Amazon delivery trucks on the road, and more employees working at breakneck speed in the warehouse in an effort to get packages out on time. And all of this means the potential for more accidents involving Amazon as an employer.

Contact our Amazon Accident Lawyers today at 1-800-681-3550 or using the form below for a free consultation.

Workers at Amazon Are at Risk of Injury on the Job

Amazon is set to employ over 50,000 people in the state of New Jersey alone this year. These high numbers will undoubtedly cause an increase to workplace injuries, as Forbes has reported that Amazon warehouse employees are at significantly higher risk of injury than workers at competitors warehouses. 

Amazon workers are prone to injuries on the warehouse floor such as:

• Slip and falls
• Being pinned by heavy machinery
• Falling off a ladder
• Injuries from lifting heavy packages
• Injuries to truck drivers during deliveries

The reason for these high rates of workplace injuries? Research suggests that the company’s obsession with speed is the culprit.

Can Amazon Workers Receive Workers Compensation if Injured on the Job?

If you were injured while working at an Amazon sortation center, you will need to report the injury as soon as possible to your employer, and keep detailed records of your medical bills and other associated costs. 

Amazon is likely to have their insurance company offer a settlement in this case, but it’s important that you don’t just accept their first offer. Insurance companies notoriously send out a lowball offer when first attempting to settle a workers comp claim, so it is recommended that you speak to a workers compensation lawyer first before accepting any offer they make. This will help ensure you get a fair and just settlement amount that properly compensates you for your injuries and losses. 

Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents

Not only are workers at Amazon warehouses prone to accidents and injuries, but the general public is also at risk due to the increase of Amazon delivery vehicles on the road any time a new sortation center is opened. 

Amazon delivery drivers are notoriously overworked, with drivers reporting they need to make over 160 stops per shift, while Amazon tracks their every move. Drivers have reported working up to fourteen hours a day, and being unable to stop even to take time and use the restroom. 

Amazon Avoids Responsibility for Accidents Involving Delivery Drivers

ProPublica launched an investigation into accidents caused by Amazon delivery drivers, finding that Amazon has been escaping responsibility for its role in the serious injuries caused by their delivery drivers. Drivers working for Amazon are actually third-party workers, meaning they don’t work directly for the company, allowing Amazon to side step their own culpability whenever something goes wrong. 

The investigation uncovered more than 60 accidents in the four year period between 2015 and 2019 that were caused by Amazon delivery drivers that resulted in serious injuries, and 10 deaths. But that number is likely only a fraction of the actual accidents that have occured, because many people injured by Amazon delivery trucks don’t end up suing, and if they do, they’re often not able to identify or prove that Amazon was involved in the crash. 

Holding Amazon Accountable

Amazon doesn’t disclose information regarding accident rates or safety records for its contractors. It has also stated repeatedly that it is not responsible for the actions of its contractors, and that the delivery service partners assume the liability and responsibility for all legal costs, covering “all loss or damage to personal property or bodily harm including death”. 

All this means that it is incredibly difficult to file a lawsuit against Amazon if you were involved in an Amazon accident. The lawyers at Richard Hollawell have years of experience helping victims receive the compensation they deserve, helping you cover the costs of medical expenses, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Contact our office at 1-800-681-3550 or use the contact form on our website to schedule your free Amazon accident consultation today.