Much attention has been paid to UPS amidst the coronavirus pandemic and holiday season. Waits are longer than usual, tension is high and the pressure is placed on the delivery drivers to effectively and quickly deliver packages. With mounting stress, it’s easy for mistakes to happen, like accidents. Plus, driving around in a car on busy roads with frequent stops poses inherent risks. In the event of an injury, one of your best defenses is being informed on how to best respond to an accident.
Know your risk
As stated before, driving a vehicle for work may put UPS delivery drivers at higher risk than workers who are stationary during their shifts. On top of that, packing and unloading the truck leaves you vulnerable to injuries either from carrying heavy objects, dropping something, or another accident. A UPS delivery driver may also be vulnerable to possible injuries incurred during a robbery. Being aware of the workplace factors that contributed to your injury will help you build your case.
Know your protections
As a laborer in the United States, you are afforded automatic protections under certain pieces of legislation. Research your local labor laws and federal mandates to learn what laws are already in place to protect you in the event of an on-the-job injury. Your employer may be hesitant to advertise those rights to you, as it will impede their case in court. Also, re-read your hiring papers to see if any language relevant to your incident is included. That is a good tool to refer to while preparing your claim.
Seeing if other workers have filed for and won claims like yours — either at your company or a similar business — will help you understand the validity of your claim.
Advocate for yourself
Injuries happen on the job, and it is not automatically the worker’s fault. As a laborer, you are under the protection of your employer’s auspices even when your job entails hours-long, off-site delivery routes. Do not blame yourself for the event, but you should do your best to document everything that occurred. Any gray area is a vulnerable point that your adversaries in court may attack, so record the incident via eyewitness statements, photos, and continued documentation of the impact of the injury on your life (bills, doctor’s notes, statements from friends and family).
Your well-being should be your first and foremost priority, but it’s also important you follow through with your company’s internal policies and procedures. If you are required to report the incident to a certain supervisor, do so and decrease the chance your company will label you as a wrongdoer.
Ask for expert help
Dealing with the fallout of an on-the-job injury can be overwhelming and feel like too much to ask of one person. Turn to the experts at the personal injury lawyers at Kwartler Manus for trusted representation. You could be eligible for compensation from your employer, property owners, or other third parties. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone at 267-457-5570 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.