FedEx Workers’ Compensation Claims in Pennsylvania
Federal Express, or FedEx, is a multinational delivery business based in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1971 Fedex was originally intended to serve the urgent needs of individuals and businesses. By 1988, FedEx was the largest delivery company in the world. As of 2018, FedEx employed 425,000 people across the world.
Of course, working for any delivery service is not without its risks, and FedEx is no exception. Each year, thousands of FedEx employees are injured on the job in all types of workplace accidents, most often slip-and-fall accidents and back injuries. Employees who have been involved in FedEx workplace accident may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ Compensation for FedEx Employees
The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system provides ongoing benefits to workers who are hurt on the job. FedEx employees may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they are either involved in an accident while at work or if they were exposed to working conditions that resulted in the employee developing an occupational illness or disease.
Many Federal Express workers face potentially hazardous conditions daily. For example, employees may sustain any of the following injuries:
- A concussion after a slip-and-fall accident;
- Leg, back or neck injuries because of a fall;
- A back injury from lifting or unloading items to or from a truck; or
- Head trauma because of a Pennsylvania motor vehicle collision.
Like all injuries, FedEx work injuries may take months to heal, even when a worker is able to obtain the proper medical treatment. The purpose of a workers’ compensation claim is to provide these workers a means to recover physically and financially, helping them get back to work. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits cover an injured employee’s lost wages and medical expenses for treatment related to their injury.
In the tragic case that a FedEx workplace accident leaves an employee permanently disabled, the worker may be eligible to obtain additional compensation. Workers’ compensation can also provide partial benefits to workers who are not able to return to their position, but can still work in a less physically demanding job. In this situation, workers’ compensation benefits may include the cost of vocational training.
Filing for workers’ compensation benefits after a FedEx workplace injury is not straightforward, and the assistance of an attorney who is experienced in these matters is invaluable. The workers’ compensation system requires injured workers follow all the procedures set forth in the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. For example, it is imperative for those injured on the job to report the injury immediately and file a claim. If a worker misses any of these employer-imposed deadlines, their claim may be automatically denied without the opportunity for further review. An experienced Erie workers’ compensation lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly.
While the intricacies of workers’ compensation laws vary by state, the one thing they have in common is that injured workers can receive benefits to help them recover from a work-related accident. Importantly, a workplace accident does not need to be serious to qualify for workers’ compensation. Even minor injuries qualify. And because the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program is a no-fault system, injured workers do not need to prove that FedEx was at fault for the accident resulting in their injuries. Notably, even those employees who were partially responsible for their own injuries may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are some limitations. For example, if the employee was using alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
Pursing a workers’ compensation claim after a FedEx workplace injury can seem overwhelming. At the Erie and Meadville workers’ compensation law firm of Placidi, Parini, Grasinger & Page, we help injured workers get their life back to normal after an accident by assisting with the workers’ compensation process. Our skilled team of attorneys has decades of collective experience handling all types of workplace injury claims, including those for all types of FedEx employees.
Obtaining Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Benefits after a FedEx On-the-Job Accident
Generally, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits cover an injured employee’s lost wages and medical expenses. This includes the following costs:
- Medical care, including doctor’s visits, surgeries and physical therapy;
- Any necessary testing;
- All prescribed medication; and
- Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, physical therapy appointments and other necessary medical care.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits also compensate the employee for their lost wages; typically, about 66 percent of their weekly wages while they are recovering. Workers’ compensation rules differ from state to state, and Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws have several unique aspects, making the process more difficult in some situations.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits do not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. However, in certain circumstances an injured FedEx employee may be able to pursue a Pennsylvania personal injury claim against the third party who was responsible for their injuries. Accident victims may be entitled to non-economic damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
The rules require an employee file a claim with the company within a designated period of time after their injury. Employees may also need to provide FedEx with all relevant medical documentation. However, even when employees follow these guidelines employers will deny a workers’ compensation claim. In other cases, an employer contests the severity of the worker’s injury, the necessity of certain medical procedures, and their ability to return to work. In these situations, the assistance of an experienced Erie workers’ compensation lawyer can be invaluable.
Common Types of FedEx Workplace Injuries
FedEx employees face hazards every day. Of course, the specific type of risk an employee confronts depends on their specific position with the company. However, below are some of the more common employee injuries we frequently see:
Back Injuries: Workers who are responsible for stocking, loading and delivery packages are especially at risk. Most back injuries are the result of twisting or overextending the spine while pushing, pulling or lifting. A few of the more common work-related back injuries include:
- Pinched nerves
- Lower back strain
- Herniated, slipped or bulging discs
- Fractured vertebrae
- Spinal cord damage
Ankle Injuries: An ankle sprain occurs when the foot rolls to the side or awkwardly twists, forcing the ankle joint to shift. It is easy to twist an ankle when tripping, slipping or stepping on an uneven surface. Ankle injuries may cause the ankle ligaments to stretch or tear. Often, with the right treatment, a worker can fully recover in a few weeks or a month. However, serious ankle injuries could take several months to completely heal and may require a worker keep most of their weight off the affected ankle.
Knee Injuries: Knee injuries can be debilitating, and often result in restricted movement and the inability to carry heavy objects. Knee injuries frequently occur in situations such as:
- Falling from and breaking the fall using the knees;
- Hitting a knee on a sharp object after losing one’s balance;
- Falling on a knee or knees after tripping on an object or hazardous condition;
- Slipping and falling while carrying a product.
What to Do Following a FedEx Workplace Injury
FedEx employees may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits after any type of on-the-job injury. However, the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system is complex, and applicants must strictly follow all procedural requirements to ensure they are eligible for benefits. For example, an injured worker should:
- Immediately notify their supervisor verbally and in writing to ensure that the injury is properly documented;
- Document the accident and the injury in as much detail as possible for the accident report, including the names and contact information of any witnesses that may have seen the incident;
- Notify FedEx of any other witnesses to the accident;
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor; and
- Ensure that the doctor orders the correct tests to diagnose the injury and come up with a treatment plan.
Seek medical care immediately or, if the injury is serious, call for an ambulance. Keep a precise record of the accident and any steps taken to seek a prompt medical evaluation and follow-up treatment. Also, keep all receipts relating to the incident, and keep FedEx management informed regarding how long you are expected to be away from work.
Speak to a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Immediate Assistance
If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania FedEx workplace accident, contact the dedicated injury advocates at Placidi, Parini, Grasinger & Page. At Placidi, Parini, Grasinger & Page, our team of attorneys is committed to helping you and your family overcome the challenges that arise after a workplace injury. We handle all types of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims and know what it takes to succeed on our clients’ behalf. Our lawyers have been selected as Top 10 Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, which is a testament to our exceptional and outstanding client service. As part of our promise to you, we will spend as long as it takes to help you understand the process and determine if you have the right to file a lawsuit to compensate you for your injuries. From there we will provide you with reasoned counsel on how to proceed to obtain the compensation you need and deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (814) 452-2222.