Workers’ Comp: Parcel Delivery Work

Parcel delivery workers make lives easier all around Nevada. However, being a delivery worker involves numerous hazards. They drive long hours to make deliveries as quickly as possible, fight traffic and have to carry heavy packages. They commonly work for companies such as UPS, Amazon and FedEx. When they suffer injuries on the job, they may be entitled to recover benefits through workers’ compensation

Risks That Parcel Delivery Workers Face

Despite the popularity and convenience of online shopping, delivery workers face numerous daily risks. Some of those risks include:

• Motor vehicle collisions: Spending long hours on the road with continuous starts and stops increases the risk of a delivery worker being involved in a traffic accident.
• Repetitive motion strain: Because workers spend the entire day lifting and carrying heavy packages, it can lead to repetitive strain injuries. These may include back and shoulder pain as well as carpel tunnel syndrome, which damages the median nerve in the arm.
• Slips, trips and falls: Slipping, tripping or falling often causes injuries. However, those injuries may be worse if the individual is carrying a heavy package at the time because they have no opportunity to break their fall. In addition, delivery workers are out in all types of weather and walk up and down stairs, hilly areas and other more difficult terrains.
• Dog bites: One of the hazards of being a delivery worker includes other people’s pets. Unfortunately, not all dogs are friendly, which increases the risk of a worker being bitten or attacked while working.

How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Parcel Delivery Workers

Employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees, including training and safety equipment. However, workers can receive workers’ comp benefits when they suffer workplace injuries. Benefits include partial wage replacement, medical care and disability. In Nevada, all employers are required to offer workers’ compensation. Because delivery workers face a high risk of injury, the ability to receive workers’ comp is important to protect their rights and provide them with the necessary support if they become injured.

Injuries That Parcel Delivery Workers May Face

Because the job of a parcel delivery worker is heavily physical, the following injuries are commonly reported:

• Lifting heavy packages can cause back and neck injuries.
• Repetitive movements can lead to muscular strains and sprains.
• Traffic collisions can cause broken bones, head and spinal trauma and many other injuries.
• Dog bites or attacks can cause serious trauma and require hospitalization. 

What to Do If You Suffer Injuries While on the Job

If you suffer an injury while you are working, it is important for you to follow the steps below:

• Seek medical attention: Seeking medical care right away is important, even if your injury appears to be minor. 
• Report your injury to your employer: Although you have seven days to report your injury, doing so as quickly as possible is better because you need medical care. Many employers have a list of medical providers you can choose from. If you go outside that list, you could end up paying for your medical care yourself.
• File your workers’ compensation claim: If your injury prevents you from working, complete the necessary paperwork and file for workers’ compensation. The insurance company will contact you with an acceptance or denial of your claim.
• Contact a workers’ comp attorney: 

Jay Short: Attorney at Law

With Jay Short, Attorney at Law, you know you’ll get the help you need if you suffer an injury on the job. As a workers’ compensation firm, we are solely focused on protecting workers and securing fair compensation so they can focus on healing. Contact us at (775) 786-2006 for a free consultation about your case anytime of the day or night. Alternatively, you can contact us online.02-829-5210702-829-5210702-829