I Was Hit By A Falling Object At An Amazon Distribution Center

California has more Amazon distribution centers than any other state, with a total of 35. Many of these facilities are over 100,000 square feet in size and contain millions of packages and pieces of merchandise in bins and on commercial racks and shelves. And while these facilities offer great employment opportunities to thousands of hard-working people across the state, there can be situations that create safety hazards from time to time.

All it takes is one person being in a hurry or lacking attention to detail to create a potential falling object hazard in the warehouse. From that moment, it is just a matter of time until the misplaced item shifts, is bumped, or falls when another item is picked for an order. Hopefully, the misplaced package falls to the floor with no human in its path. However, that is not always the case.

If you have been hit by a falling object while working at one of the 35 California Amazon distribution centers, you must understand your rights and how to protect them. The staff at DTLA Law Group is available 24/7 to offer answers to your questions and a path to resolution. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with a worker’s compensation or personal injury lawyer to learn more about how you can secure the compensation and worker’s comp benefits owed to you for the injuries you sustained.

The Most Common Injuries Sustained By A Falling Object

Sadly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, reports that over 42,000 people are struck by falling objects yearly in the United States. While that might not sound like a large number when you consider the population is well over 300M, it amounts to one person being injured by a falling object every ten minutes for the entire year.

The most common concerns related to falling objects are severe head and spinal cord injuries. From concussions and traumatic brain injuries to severed spinal cords and paralysis, these injuries are the most life-altering or even can be life-threatening. Additional concerns related to head trauma include loss of vision, face, nose, and mouth injuries, or loss of hearing.

Other common injuries resulting from a falling object include crushed limbs, severed limbs, dislocations, and internal injuries related to crushing damage to the body. Lacerations, bruises, and abrasions are also common. Regardless of the appearance or perceived extent of any harm caused by impact from a falling object, it is always recommended that you seek a complete medical evaluation to determine any injuries that could have occurred.

Do I Qualify For Worker’s Compensation Benefits?

All employers in the state must provide worker’s compensation coverage for their employees. This state-mandated plan is designed to offer added protection to employees and employers when an incident results in an employee injury. Employees pay nothing for this insurance and are free to use it any time they are injured while on the job. In addition, employers are not legally permitted to deny access to worker’s comp benefits to any injured employee. So if you were on the clock in an Amazon distribution center performing your job when a falling object injured you, you should be able to use the medical care benefits offered by worker’s comp.

What Benefits Are Offered By Worker’s Compensation?

The benefits offered by the worker’s comp program in California are some of the most robust and valuable in the country. Injured workers can seek the following benefits:

• Payment of medical bills up to the $1M cap
• Short-term partial replacement of lost wages
• Long-term or permanent replacement of lost wages
• Vocational training to switch careers after an injury
• Death benefits to the family of a worker killed on the job

The staff at DTLA Law Group can assist you in determining which of these benefits could apply to you and how to seek them during your free consultation.

Securing Worker’s Comp Benefits

In most cases, when you inform your supervisor or employer of a workplace injury, they initiate a worker’s comp claim on your behalf. However, if they do not, you can also contact the worker’s comp office to provide the information needed to open your claim. Ideally, your medical care providers will also include that your injuries are work-related and bill directly to worker’s comp. If you have any issues or concerns in opening a claim with worker’s compensation, the experts at DTLA Law Group are always available to assist you in the process or to answer any questions you might have.

Can I Sue My Employer For Injuries Caused By Falling Objects?

In most cases, employees cannot sue their employer for injuries that occurred on the job. This is the protection provided to employers through worker’s comp. While providing payment for your medical care, the worker’s comp program prevents employees from suing their employer for benefits or money above the amount offered by those benefits. There are very few exceptions to this rule. The most common one is when an employer is found to be grossly negligent, for example, requiring an employee to do something known to be harmful. However, if you believe there are extenuating circumstances that might permit you to sue your employer for your injuries, the staff at DTLA Law Group is happy to discuss the situation during your free initial consultation.

What To Know If You Can Sue Your Employer

If you pursue a civil lawsuit against your employer, it is crucial to understand that the Statute of Limitation for these cases is typically two years from the date of the injury. If you fail to file the claim in that time, you will have lost your rights to seek additional compensation for your injuries.

When filing your claim against an employer for personal injuries, there are specific items that you can claim for compensation. The most common expenses include:

• All medical bills that we not covered under worker’s compensation
• Your legal fees for preparing and filing the lawsuit
• The value of any damaged or destroyed personal property
• Any lost wages that were not reimbursed by worker’s comp
• A dollar amount for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of your workplace injury

The team at DTLA Law Group has decades of combined experience working with personal injury and workplace injury victims. We are eager to assist you in compiling all of the expenses and losses that can be claimed in any lawsuit you are preparing. Our goal is always to offer all the guidance and help needed to ensure you receive the fullest and most fair compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered.

How Long Does The Claim Process Take To Complete?

All lawsuits are unique and will move forward at a variable rate or speed. So there is no way to accurately estimate how long it will take to complete a lawsuit you file against your employer. Your employer’s actions, the court’s workload, and the extent of your injuries will all impact the time needed to complete the lawsuit.

In the case of a claim for worker’s comp, it is typically less lengthy than the completion of a lawsuit. But again, the workload of the staff at worker’s comp will impact the speed at which you begin to see your claim processed. If you feel that the process is moving too slowly, the staff at DTLA Law Group can assist you by answering general questions and working with you to resolve any issues with the staff at worker’s comp.

Why Choose DTLA Law Group To Handle Your Falling Object Legal Matter

At DTLA Law Group, our staff of nearly a dozen lawyers and countless support staff are always here to assist you in getting the compensation and benefits owed to you for the injuries you sustained. Our focus is on ensuring that justice is served and that you can move past your workplace injuries with the best physical and financial outcome possible. We know that you are facing many challenges, from your physical limitations to the added stress of being unable to work. And we want to handle as many of the issues for you as possible to allow you to focus on healing and returning to your normal life.

No Upfront Legal Fees Or Charges From DTLA Law Group

When you hire DTLA Law Firm to handle a lawsuit against your employer, Amazon, we never charge any fees for our services. Instead, we follow our pledge to each client that we never get paid until we secure the settlement or verdict that they deserve for the injuries and losses they have suffered. In addition, if we fail to win your case, you owe us nothing. Therefore, it would not be right for us to take your money and compound your financial hardships if we were unable to assist you in getting the money you need and deserve for your injuries.

So be sure to get in touch with DTLA Law Group as soon as possible after a falling object hits you at an Amazon distribution center. We will discuss your injuries and situation at a free consultation and provide expert legal guidance on how we recommend you pursue the compensation and benefits owed for your injuries.