Like most other North Carolina workers, UPS employees are entitled to benefits for workplace injuries. Generally, any injury that occurs while on the job and in the course of an employee’s duties is eligible for compensation.
Working for the United Parcel Service can be a strenuous, intense, and high-risk job. UPS is no stranger to workplace injuries, from delivery drivers to warehouse workers, service center employees, and office employees.
Currently, UPS is insured by Liberty Mutual Insurance for workers’ compensation claims. If you are a UPS employee recently injured, you may be anxious about what is to come. Your injury may render you unable to return to work while your medical bills pile up.
Contact our experienced North Carolina worker’s compensation attorneys today and let us help remove this burden.
Steps to Take After a UPS Workplace Accident
Whether you are a delivery driver or warehouse worker, understanding what steps to take after an injury can help make your road to recovery smoother.
Here are five steps to take if you have a UPS injury.
1. Seek Emergency Medical Attention or Schedule an Appointment with a Pre-approved Physician
If you suffer a severe injury, you should seek medical attention by calling 911 or visiting your nearest emergency room. Even non-emergency injuries may still require a trip to the local E.R. to be evaluated and treated as necessary.
If you do not need immediate medical care, you should schedule an appointment with a pre-approved doctor to be checked out and treated for injuries or ailments. If UPS denies you this information, consult one of our lawyers immediately.
2. Report the Accident to Your UPS Supervisor
In North Carolina, employees must report a work-related injury to their employer as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the injury. Importantly, this is a state law rather than a UPS policy. Different rules might apply if you work for UPS outside of North Carolina. You should also inquire with your supervisor about the UPS injury policy.
3. Collect Evidence
Collect any evidence you can from the accident scene. This might be simply snapping photos on your phone or speaking with co-workers who may have witnessed the accident. You should document any injuries and keep copies of all medical bills and records safe and organized.
4. Be Careful Speaking with UPS’ Insurance Adjusters
UPS’ workers’ comp insurer, most likely Liberty Mutual, will contact you to request a statement and document what occurred and the injuries you suffered. You should always be careful about what you say, and it is best to consult with an attorney before proving a recorded or written statement. Remember, this is UPS’ insurance carrier. They will try to minimize your injuries to avoid paying significant benefits.
5. Consult an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer
It is no secret that UPS is a huge corporate employer. Seeking workers’ comp benefits can be more challenging than you might think. They may try to deny your claim or downplay your injury.
Consulting with an experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer will ensure you preserve your rights, minimize roadblocks, and streamline your way to the medical and pay benefits you deserve.
Common UPS Workplace Injuries
The type of injury workers will be most at risk of will depend largely on their job title and duties. For instance, delivery drivers will be at a much greater risk of a motor vehicle accident or dog bite than warehouse workers.
On the other hand, a warehouse worker will be at much greater risk of a forklift or machinery accident. With that in mind, here are the most common UPS employee injuries we see:
- Fractures,
- Overexertion injuries,
- Amputations,
- Strains and sprains,
- Cuts and abrasions,
- Herniated discs,
- Shoulder injuries,
- Back and neck injuries,
- Crush injuries,
- Whiplash,
- Spinal cord injuries, and
- Traumatic brain injuries.
No matter the type of injury you sustain, if it happens as a part of your regular job duties, you are entitled to receive wage replacement and medical benefits. Our attorneys can help you get compensated for your injury.
Types of Benefits Available to UPS Workers
The specific type and amount of benefits you might be eligible for will depend on your situation. However, the following types of workers’ compensation benefits are generally available:
- Medical benefits to cover the costs of necessary medical treatment for a work injury or illness,
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if the employee cannot work temporarily due to injury,
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) if the UPS workers can work with restrictions or at a reduced capacity,
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits for injuries that leave the worker permanently disabled and render them unable to return to work, and
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits if the injury results in permanent impairment or loss of function but does not render the employee disabled and completely unable to work.
In addition, an injured UPS worker may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation and training to acquire new skills if they cannot return to their previous job. Lastly, if a UPS dies as a result of their injury, their surviving family may be entitled to death benefits.
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
At Mehta & McConnell, we are North Carolina State Bar board-certified workers’ compensation lawyers. We always fight for the injured workers, even if it means going up against a company as large as UPS. Let us help you get started on your UPS workers’ compensation settlement today.
Jason McConnell
Jason McConnell is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, cooking, traveling and following the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers.
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