Warehouse employment is one of the more dangerous occupations in the United States. Most warehouse workers are aware of the potential risks associated with working in a fast-paced environment where they are constantly lifting and moving heavy objects. However, it can be eyebrow-raising to learn that your employer’s injury rate is twice that of other companies in the same industry.
Yet, according to a report by the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), this is exactly the case for Amazon warehouse workers. According to the SOC’s report, Amazon workers suffered serious injuries at a rate of 6.8 per 100 employees in 2021. This is compared to a rate of 3.3 per 100 full-time employees for all other employers in the warehouse industry.
Amazon has a notoriously high-pressure work environment. Warehouse workers are constantly under pressure to maintain a pace of production that often includes a lack of adequate breaks and bathroom time. This can lead to fatigue as well as workers feeling like they must take shortcuts in order to keep up, which can put them at greater risk of suffering an on-the-job injury. Amazon’s warehouse employees have often commented that the company’s obsession with customer service and incredibly fast delivery times have created a working environment that is exceptionally demanding and often unsafe.
Amazon Opens a New Fulfillment Center in Ashland, MO
For workers who have recently begun work at Amazon’s new fulfillment center at Cartwright Business & Technology Park in Ashland, MO, this report will likely come as no surprise. In a KOMU 8 news segment from earlier in the summer, Operations Manager Bruce Bax said the goal was to process 20,000 to 24,000 packages a day.
That kind of target can only be met by workers putting in long hours under grueling conditions. This is borne out, unfortunately, in the rate of injuries for Amazon warehouse workers, which actually rose 20% between 2020 and 2021. Despite employing one-third of all warehouse workers in the United States, Amazon accounts for almost 50% of all serious injuries in the industry.
How a Columbia Workers Compensation Attorney Assists with Amazon Warehouse Injuries
If you are an Amazon employee who has suffered a serious injury while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help you cover the costs of your medical bills as well as a portion of your lost wages. However, it is important to note that these claims can be complex and challenging to navigate on your own. An experienced Columbia workers’ compensation lawyer can help you through every step of the process to ensure that you receive the full benefits that you are entitled to. This involves conducting a thorough investigation of your accident, interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and working with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. Should a case go to trial, a workers’ compensation lawyer will also be by your side to represent you in court.
Contact the Law Offices of Chris Miller for Your Worker’s Compensation Claim
At the Law Office of Chris Miller, we have a team of experienced workers’ compensation lawyers who are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with a serious injury and have a proven track record of success in handling Columbia workers’ compensation claims. If you or a loved one has been injured while working at an Amazon warehouse, contact us today for a free consultation. We will fight to get you the benefits you need and deserve.