Victorville Amazon
Workplace Injury Lawyer

Since its inception in the 1990s, Amazon has evolved into one of the biggest employers in the world, employing millions of hardworking employees from many different countries. In California alone, Amazon has over 160,000 employees, making it the largest state for Amazon employment. However, Amazon is like any other employer. Sometimes, employees get injured on the job and are entitled to workers’ compensation. If you were injured on the job in Victorville, you should contact a Victorville Amazon workplace injury lawyer.

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer?

An experienced accident attorney could make all the difference when arguing your case and seeking workers’ compensation. A workers’ comp lawyer is an advocate for their client and works hard to ensure that they receive the justice they are fighting for. Having experienced representation as early as possible into your workers’ comp claim can be significant.

You want someone who can effectively guide you through the entire process, which can be daunting and complicated to do on your own. That’s why it is crucial to retain the services of a workers’ comp lawyer, as they can make sure your employers are not able to take advantage of your situation and keep you from being fairly compensated for your injuries.

Navigating workplace injury law, especially through a global conglomerate like Amazon, can be complex. You need a skilled and knowledgeable attorney who is empathetic with a consistent success rate. An ideal attorney has a record of dealing with giant, somewhat intimidating companies that can retain multiple lawyers with ease to fight against your claim. Here are some things that an experienced, dedicated workplace injury lawyer can do for you:

• Provide Extensive Knowledge: Unless you have studied law to some degree, you may not be all that familiar with the workplace injury legal process in California. A workplace injury lawyer should be very experienced, and they can bring a high level of detailed knowledge to your case. Having someone who understands the legalities that connect to your case is crucial to succeeding.
• Assistance With Paperwork: Every legal process requires a considerable amount of paperwork. Your lawyer knows exactly what paperwork needs to be filed and, more importantly, when it needs to be filed. Missing certain deadlines could hold your case up or even cause it to fall apart completely. Your lawyer can ensure that you never miss those deadlines and that all your paperwork is filed promptly and correctly.
• Maximize Your Compensation: An experienced, knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyer knows how to ensure that you receive the maximum amount that your company can possibly award you in a workers’ comp case. Your lawyer can take into account your medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, and any other factor of your case that could be considered compensable. While there are never any guarantees, it is always good to maximize your efforts.
• Individualize Your Legal Strategy: A good lawyer does not have a blanket legal strategy for every client. Every case that comes across a lawyer’s desk is different, with circumstances that are unique to the individual and their situation. In that respect, a good lawyer knows how to individualize a legal strategy for every client, utilizing the strengths of each individual’s case and advocating on their behalf every step of the way.
• Conduct a Thorough Investigation: A significant part of pursuing a workers’ comp case against a company like Amazon is conducting a thorough investigation into the workplace injury that occurred, uncovering why it occurred in the first place. This investigation needs to determine who was at fault and how it was handled internally. A good lawyer can use their investigation to determine the facts of the case and gather evidence in your favor.
• Negotiate With Insurance: One of the most stressful parts of a workers’ comp case is going up against the insurance companies. Insurance companies’ goal is to pay out as little as they possibly can. Without an experienced lawyer, they will offer you an insultingly low settlement amount, and you may feel pressured to take it. With an experienced lawyer on your side to negotiate on your behalf, you don’t have to worry about pressure. They can work with the insurance company for you.
• Take the Case to Trial: If you and your lawyer cannot reach an appropriate settlement with the insurance company, then your case will likely go to trial, where it will be decided by a jury. In that event, your lawyer can represent your interests and provide solid legal support.

What Do You Do If You Are Injured at Work at Amazon?

If you work at an Amazon warehouse or a fulfillment center in Victorville or nearby areas, there is a chance that you could be injured on the job. If that ever happens, here are some steps you can take to ensure that your injury is immediately taken care of and put on record to help you in a future workers’ comp case:

• Seek Medical Attention: As soon as you realize that you have been injured, stop whatever else you may be doing. Your immediate priority should be your health and safety. Do what you can to seek medical attention quickly. Call 911, obtain a first aid kit, and do not aggravate the injury.
• Report the Accident: Once your injury has been dealt with, make sure you report the accident to your immediate supervisor. Request an official report, which should have the time, date, and facts of how your injury happened.
• Document the Scene: If you are physically able to do so, begin documenting the accident scene. Take pictures of where the accident occurred, along with your wounds and/or injuries. Be sure to take photos of whatever hazard may have led to your injury.
• Speak With Witnesses: If any of your coworkers witnessed the accident, you should speak to them and gather their statements. Any witness statements that back up your claim will be crucial when it comes time to file for workers’ comp.
• Gather More Evidence: Witness statements and photos of the scene are a good start when collecting evidence. You should also see if any surveillance cameras captured the accident. Video evidence would be very helpful, as would any damaged equipment that might have caused your accident.
• See a Doctor: Even if you believe that the injury is not that serious, go see a doctor anyway. A detailed medical report can be good for your records, and the doctor may find an injury that you didn’t know was there. Be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment advice if they give you any.
• Consult a Lawyer: Now that you have gathered evidence, spoken to witnesses, and talked to a doctor, you should consult with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer who can help you weigh your options and start filing the paperwork for a claim. Your lawyer can give you advice on how to handle your specific case.
• File the Claim: Your lawyer can help you prepare the proper paperwork to file for a workers’ comp claim. Be sure to file as soon as you can, as you don’t want to miss any deadlines. Your lawyer can help you find those deadlines and ensure that you don’t miss them.
• Consider a Settlement: You don’t have to accept any settlement that you believe to be unfair. Your lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair and reasonable settlement amount. Once you accept an amount, negotiations are over, and you cannot ask for more. Be certain that the amount is what you want before settling.

Can I Sue My Employer for a Workplace Injury in California?

Typically, you cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury in California. The state has a “no-fault” workers’ comp system that benefits workers and employers alike. Workers cannot sue their employers in court. In return, workers don’t have to prove that their employers were at fault in any way for their accident. They just have to prove that the accident happened at work or was work-related. However, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Amazon, at least in California, falls under the same “no-fault” workers’ comp system, preventing employees from suing the company for their workplace injury. However, if the injury was the result of the company’s gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or flat-out refusal to follow the proper safety precautions and/or regulations, you may have grounds for a civil trial against Amazon on top of your workers’ comp claim.

While Amazon remains one of the largest, most powerful employers in the world, it still has to follow the labor laws of the state in which its warehouses and fulfillment centers are located.

What Kinds of Workplace Injuries Can Occur at Amazon?

Many Amazon jobs require warehouse work, such as heavy lifting and using complex machinery. With that in mind, here are some more common types of injury that can occur while working in an Amazon warehouse or fulfillment center:

• Slip-and-Fall Injuries: Slip-and-fall injuries are some of the most common injuries you will see in a warehouse setting. Slippery floors, messy work areas, or uneven surfaces can lead to employees slipping and injuring themselves. A nasty fall could result in a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, broken limbs, or painful sprains.
• Repetitive Stress Injuries: Some injuries occur when we least expect them and are due to constant repetitive motions taking place over months or even years. Repeatedly lifting, bending, and carrying heavy things over and over can lead to overexertion. Carpal tunnel syndrome, strained muscles, nasty sprains, and even hernias can all be caused by overexertion.
• Hazardous Chemicals: Warehouses can be home to countless chemicals used for cleaning, along with other toxic substances. Coming into contact with these chemicals on a daily basis can result in long-term medical problems, such as respiratory illness. In addition, getting these chemicals on the skin can result in severe burns. Steer clear of toxic chemicals if you can. If you must use them, wear protective gear.
• Forklift Accidents: Forklifts qualify as heavy machinery and require proper training to operate them. Regrettably, that training does not always happen, or it is never finished, resulting in improper training. A lack of training can lead to serious injuries or destruction of property. Even proper training can lead to injuries if something happens to cause a sudden forklift accident.
• Falling Objects: Be sure to keep a frequent lookout for falling objects, such as boxes or equipment. If something is dislodged high above you, it could fall on you and cause a serious injury. You could get a concussion, a laceration, or a brain injury just from some falling equipment or packages that you did not notice.

It is far from impossible to avoid workplace injury altogether. Accidents happen every day, including at Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers. There are steps you can take to try to avoid workplace injuries, with most of them revolving around basic common sense. Even in those cases, there are no guarantees. Try to stay vigilant at work and, if an injury does occur, act fast to take care of it. Then, take the proper steps to pursue workers’ compensation.

Reach Out to an Amazon Workplace Injury Lawyer Today

Dealing with a workplace injury can be a stressful, agonizing, and even somewhat embarrassing situation that you may not have prepared for. Seeking workers’ comp can seem impossible at times, especially if you are trying to do so alone. Insurance companies may be doing whatever they can to ensure that you walk away with as little as possible. An experienced lawyer can navigate this process for you and make sure you are properly compensated.

At Kampf, Schiavone & Associates, our legal team is dedicated to helping you receive the proper compensation for your injury. We can work with you to develop your case, gather the necessary evidence, and advocate on your behalf against the insurance company. Our firm cares about our clients, and we are prepared to give your case the care and attention it deserves. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.