Several Amazon employees are accusing the retail giant of wrongful termination, denying workers’ compensation claims and placing them back in unsafe working conditions. The company now has over 140 fulfillment centers in the U.S., and the founder, Jeff Bezos, is the wealthiest person in history. According to The Guardian, his net worth is now over $150 billion.
Injured from missing safety equipment
Vickie Allen was working as a counter at an Amazon warehouse, when she injured her back at her workstation. Her station was missing a piece of safety equipment that keep the items she was counting from falling on the floor. Due to the missing part, Allen was performing her job while standing in an awkward position. This lead to her back injury. Until she pushed for workers’ compensation, when she could not perform her work, she was sent home each day without pay.
After receiving workers’ compensation, Allen entered physical therapy and soon returned to work. Her workstation had still not been fixed, and she injured herself again. She again took medical leave, and an MRI scan revealed her back was still injured. Five days after she received the news, she stated the workers’ compensation insurer dropped her as patient.
Fired after injured at work
Other employees have also accused the company of not allowing them to file workers’ compensation claims, cutting their disability leave short, firing them after they were injured or forcing them to work under the same conditions that initially caused their injuries. One employee permanently injured her back after falling from a ladder. Amazon management refused to give her paperwork for a workers’ compensation claim, then cut her disability leave short and eventually fired her.
Workers’ compensation claim benefits
In Indiana, any person who is injured while working is eligible to file for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits should cover the cost of visits to the doctor, hospital bills, any prescriptions or other necessary medical care. If you cannot return to work due to your injury, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits. You should receive two-thirds of your average weekly pay.
Employees injured at work have the right to compensation for their care. If your employer refused to pay workers’ compensation benefits, underpaid your benefits or fired you because of your injury, you may want to reach out to an attorney experienced in representing employees in employment law cases. An attorney can help you explore your options and get you on the road to recovery.
