How to Maximize Your Amazon Workers Comp Settlement
Hurt at an Amazon Fulfillment Center or Delivering Packages for the Retailer? Our Top-Rated Lawyers Fight Amazon Workers Comp Denials and Negotiate the Lump Sum Payout You Deserve.
You work hard for Amazon, the world’s largest online store and second-biggest employer, often in physically demanding positions.
Getting injured on the job – whether in a massive Amazon warehouse that employs thousands and covers millions of square feet, like those in Chesterfield County, Augusta County, or Northern Virginia or while making deliveries to homes and businesses – can turn your life upside down. You’re facing pain, medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of dealing with one of the most powerful companies in the world and its claims administrator, Sedgwick.
Amazon has vast resources and uses experienced claims adjusters with Sedgwick and insurance defense law firms like KPM Law, Kiernan Trebach, and Winchester Law Group to protect its interests and purse.
You don’t have to face Amazon alone. But securing the workers compensation benefits you’re entitled to and negotiating a fair settlement requires expert legal advice and in-depth knowledge of workers compensation law.
That’s where our firm, Corey Pollard Law, comes in. We are top-ranked workers compensation attorneys who help injured Amazon employees win cases and negotiate settlements in Virginia.
We understand Amazon’s well-documented high injury rates and the tactics used to contest claims and minimize claim payouts. And our goal is simple: to fight for your rights and negotiate the maximum possible Amazon workers compensation settlement for you.
Call us at (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614 or complete this form if you are an Amazon employee hurt while delivering packages or working at one of the more than 30 Amazon fulfillment and sorting centers and delivery stations in Virginia or four large distribution warehouses in Maryland. Our law firm has negotiated some of Virginia’s biggest workers compensation settlements for injured employees like you.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Amazon Work Injury Claim?
Working at Amazon presents unique challenges when pursuing a workers compensation claim. Amazon’s workplace environment and safety practices are the subject of intense public and governmental scrutiny, and they have considerable resources to try to manage the outcome of any given case.
Here are some things you should know after your injury and when negotiating an Amazon workers comp settlement:
Amazon Has Alarmingly High Injury Rates
It’s not just anecdotal. Official Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows Amazon warehouse workers suffer occupational injuries at higher rates than those at warehouses run by other employers.
For example, in 2021, Amazon’s injury rate was nearly 1.5 times the industry average. At some Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers, 12 workers out of 100 suffered injury. In addition, Amazon workers suffered 6.6 severe injuries per 100 employees last year. This statistic is “more than double the rate of all non-Amazon warehouses, which had 3.2 serious injuries for every 100 workers.”
Amazon’s Workplace Environment Creates an Intense Pace & Ergonomic Risks
Injured Amazon workers often cite Amazon’s relentless focus on speed and productivity quotas as the root cause of their injuries. Some Amazon fulfillment associates have even described supervisors asking coworkers to compete with one another to see who can pick and fill more online shopping orders (or finish first). This focus on productivity leads to the following:
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- Musculoskeletal Injuries and Disorders: Acts like walking, standing, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling – often in awkward positions requiring twisting, bending, and crouching – increase the risk for back injuries, rotator cuff tears, and knee injuries at Amazon.
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- Increased Accident Risk: Rushing to deliver packages on your Amazon delivery van or selecting items for orders in an Amazon warehouse increases the likelihood of slips, trips, falls, crush injuries, being struck by objects, and forklift or machinery accidents. Hurrying because Amazon monitors performance closely and may terminate employment if an associate does not meet their quota creates an atmosphere ripe for occupational injuries.
Sedgwick Handles Amazon Workers Compensation Claims
American Zurich Insurance Company insures Amazon’s workers compensation liability in Virginia and Maryland, where my law firm negotiates Amazon workers comp settlements for employees hurt on the job.
But Amazon uses Sedgwick, a large third-party administrator (TPA), to handle its workers’ compensation claims. Crucially, Sedgwick works for Amazon’s interests, not yours. Their goal is often to close claims quickly and minimize costs, saving Amazon money at your expense.
We understand that Sedgwick (and the insurance defense attorneys) recommend whether to accept or deny a claim and the amount to offer as an Amazon workers comp settlement. But generally, approval must come from Amazon before Sedgwick offers to settle or enter into a Workers Compensation Award Order.
Amazon May Use AmCare, Its On-Site Medical Clinic, to Minimize Your Case’s Value
While Amazon offers on-site care (Amcare), relying solely on it can be detrimental. You have the right (in Virginia) to choose from a panel of doctors outside Amcare. Being steered only to Amcare can compromise your treatment and your claim, particularly given the allegations of pressure within Amcare to minimize the severity of injuries and push Amazon warehouse employees back to work.
Federal Investigations & Safety Citations
Amazon’s safety record and workplace injury rates have not gone unnoticed by regulators and investigative reporters. For example:
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- OSHA Scrutiny: The U.S. Department of Labor has issued many citations at multiple Amazon warehouses for failing to keep workers safe. For example, in 2022 and 2023, OSHA issued citations at warehouses in multiple states (including Colorado, Idaho, New York, Illinois, and Florida) for failing to keep workers safe. Specifically, OSHA found that Amazon exposed its warehouse employees to a high risk of low back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. It cited several reasons for this increased risk, including long hours, the high frequency with which employees must lift packages, and the heavy weight of the items handled by Amazon workers.
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- Department of Justice (DOJ) Investigation: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced it is investigating workplace safety issues at Amazon warehouses, including injuries resulting from workplace hazards and the pace of work, and whether Amazon complied with requirements to report on-the-job injuries. The Attorney’s Office wants to hear from current and former Amazon warehouse workers, safety team members, AmCare staff, and supervisors. You can complete the form here.
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- Media Investigations Uncover Amazon Workplace Safety Concerns: investigations by ProPublica and BuzzFeed suggest “Amazon officials have ignored or overlooked signs that the company was overloading its fast-growing delivery network while eschewing the expansive sort of training and oversight provided by a legacy carrier like UPS.”
This record of high injury rates, a hurried work pace, and government concern over Amazon’s workplace environment makes having an experienced lawyer essential. You need a lawyer who knows the specific challenges an Amazon workers compensation case presents and how to counter them to protect your benefits and obtain a fair settlement.
Securing Your Amazon Workers’ Compensation Settlement
While you’re entitled to benefits like lifetime medical treatment and wage replacement (temporary total disability (TTD) or temporary partial disability (TPD)), many injured Amazon workers seek to resolve their claims through a lump sum settlement.
What is an Amazon Workers Comp Settlement?
A settlement is a voluntary agreement where you receive a lump sum payment (or sometimes structured payments) from Amazon’s insurer (American Zurich Ins. Co. via Sedgwick) in exchange for closing your workers compensation claim.
Will Amazon Offer Me a Workers Compensation Settlement?
Different claim stages often influence when workers comp offers a settlement.
Our law firm’s experience is that Amazon prefers to close claims with lump sum payments instead of keeping them open indefinitely and will ask you to participate in a settlement mediation or make an offer at some point.
Why Pursue a Settlement with Amazon?
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- Certainty: Ends the potential for ongoing disputes over benefits with Sedgwick and Amazon.
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- Control: You receive funds directly to manage your future medical needs and finances.
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- Closure: Avoids prolonged litigation and interaction with claims adjusters and insurance defense attorneys, which can cause stress.
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- Freedom: Allows you to move forward without claim-related obligations.
How Much is My Amazon Workers Comp Settlement Worth?
There’s no “average” settlement because every case is unique. The value depends heavily on factors like:
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- Severity and type of your injuries (e.g., spine fusion surgery vs. total knee replacement vs. wrist sprain)
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- Your pre-injury average weekly wage
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- Past medical bills paid and projected future medical costs
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- Amount of lost wages (past and future earning capacity)
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- Permanent impairment ratings, which determine the amount of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits you receive, and functional capacity evaluation (FCE) results, which determine permanent restrictions after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
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- Whether Amazon accepted liability or if the claim is disputed (especially relevant given potential injury underreporting concerns). Amazon accepted your claim if you have a Workers Compensation Award Order.
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- Whether you can return to your pre-injury job or other work with your medical work restrictions.
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- Your age and remaining work-life expectancy
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- The strength of the legal arguments and evidence compiled by your attorney and how the judge views them at a workers compensation hearing.
Crucially, Amazon/Sedgwick will try to minimize these factors. Our experienced lawyers analyze every detail, gather strong medical evidence (countering any downplaying of injuries), and aggressively negotiate to maximize the value based on your specific situation and our extensive experience with past Amazon workers compensation settlements.
Does Amazon Require a Voluntary Resignation as Part of a Workers Compensation Settlement?
Yes (at least, in Virginia).
In our experience, Amazon requires an injured worker to resign and agree not to apply for rehire as a part of the settlement.
We factor this request into negotiations when settling an occupational injury claim with Amazon.
Steps to Take After an Amazon Work Injury (Protect Your Settlement Potential!)
What you do immediately after an injury significantly impacts your claim and potential settlement:
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- Report Your Injury IMMEDIATELY: Notify your supervisor in writing (email or written form) as soon as possible. Virginia requires notice within 30 days, but delays create problems and raise red flags that may require litigation to get the benefits you’re entitled to.
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- Request Medical Treatment (Beyond Amcare): Insist on seeing a doctor from the approved panel list your employer must provide (in VA). Don’t let them limit you to Amcare for a significant injury. Document everything carefully.
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- Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement to Sedgwick Without Legal Counsel: The adjuster may seem friendly, but their goal is to gather information to limit the claim, especially in light of ongoing safety investigations. Talk to us first.
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- File Your Claim Promptly: File the official claim form with the Workers Compensation Commission within the statute of limitations (2 years in Virginia).
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- Contact Our Experienced Amazon Injury Lawyers: The sooner we get involved, the better we can guide you through the workers comp claim process (navigating potential complexities related to reported safety issues), and position your case for the best possible outcome and settlement.
Skilled Injury Lawyers to Help You Win an Amazon Workers Comp Settlement
You can take on Amazon alone while hurting physically, mentally, and financially.
But we do not recommend it.
Instead, hire an Amazon workers comp lawyer who has taken on the company, Sedgwick, and the law firms representing these organizations.
Call us today for a free consultation: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614.
We have served as the workers compensation attorney for many injured Amazon workers in Virginia. And we want to resolve your claim.
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