As a FedEx driver, your job is fast-paced, physically demanding, and full of hazards, such as lifting heavy packages, navigating Charlotte traffic, or working long hours during peak seasons. When an injury happens on the job, it can turn your life upside down. You may be wondering: Does workers’ compensation cover me? Will I have to take a drug test? How does FedEx handle these claims?
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we help injured workers across North Carolina understand their rights and pursue the benefits they deserve. If injured on the job, this guide will help you understand workers’ comp for FedEx drivers and your legal options.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance system that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. In North Carolina, most employers with three or more employees must provide workers’ compensation coverage, though some exceptions exist.
FedEx is required to provide workers’ compensation for its employees, whether they work in logistics, administrative departments, warehouses, or delivery. Like all workers’ compensation policies, FedEx’s workers’ comp policy provides medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits for injured employees, regardless of who was at fault.
Unfortunately, getting the benefits you’re entitled to isn’t always easy. Employers and insurance carriers may deny valid claims or try to minimize the benefits they owe. That’s why having legal guidance is so important.
What Are Common Injuries Among FedEx Drivers?
FedEx drivers are exposed to various injury risks due to the physical demands of the job and the fast-paced nature of package delivery. These injuries can happen suddenly or develop over time through repetitive tasks and strain.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Back and shoulder strain,
- Herniated discs,
- Knee injuries,
- Slips and falls,
- Bone fractures,
- Concussions,
- Whiplash,
- Dog bites,
- Soft tissue injuries,
- Cuts and bruises,
- Heat exhaustion, and
- Injuries from vehicle accidents.
If you’ve experienced these injuries or others while working as a FedEx driver, you must report the injury promptly and speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights.
What Compensation Can Injured FedEx Drivers Recover in North Carolina?
If you’re injured while employed as a FedEx driver in North Carolina, here’s an overview of workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses. Workers’ compensation generally covers necessary medical treatments for your work injury.
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. If your injury prevents you from working for more than 7 days, you may be entitled to weekly payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. If you’re cleared to return to light-duty or modified work but earn less than before, you may be able to recover two-thirds of the difference between your pre- and post-injury earnings.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. If your injury permanently damages a specific body part, you may be compensated based on the impairment rating and affected area.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. If your injury leaves you permanently and totally disabled so that you cannot work in any capacity, you may qualify for lifetime disability payments.
- Vocational rehabilitation. If you cannot return to your job as a FedEx driver, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services.
- Death benefits. If a FedEx driver is killed in a work-related incident, surviving dependents may be entitled to compensation such as weekly wage benefits and up to $10,000 in funeral expenses.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we help injured FedEx drivers understand their rights and fight for the full benefits they’re entitled to.
What Situations Could Bar Me from Receiving Benefits?
Under North Carolina law, your workers’ compensation claim may be denied entirely if your injury or your loved one’s death was caused by:
- Intoxication, unless a supervisor or your employer provided the intoxicating substance;
- Use of an illegal or non-prescribed controlled substance; or
- Intentional self-harm or an attempt to harm another person.
This exception is especially relevant for FedEx drivers, who are often subject to a FedEx workers’ comp drug or alcohol test after an on-the-job accident. If you test positive, the insurance company may argue that intoxication caused your injury and deny your claim.
FedEx and its contractors may also challenge claims based on false statements about your health when you were hired. If you knowingly misrepresented a past injury or medical condition, and that misrepresentation played a role in your current injury, your claim could be denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions provide more information about workers’ comp for FedEx drivers.
Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation as a FedEx Driver in North Carolina?
Generally, yes. However, FedEx classifies some of its workers as “independent contractors,” not employees. Workers’ compensation does not protect independent contractors.
The best way to determine if you’re protected under workers’ compensation laws is to contact a North Carolina workers’ comp attorney to review your employment status and claim.
What Should I Do If I Get Injured While Working as a FedEx Driver in NC?
If you’re injured while working as a FedEx driver, taking action quickly is vital to protect your health and workers’ compensation claim. Here are the key steps to follow:
- Get medical treatment. Go to the nearest hospital or urgent care, or see a doctor as soon as possible.
- Report the injury immediately. Notify your supervisor or dispatch manager as soon as the injury occurs. You must provide written notice to your employer of the accident within 30 days.
- Document the incident. Take notes about how the injury happened, where you were, what you were doing, and who witnessed it. If you were involved in a crash or slip and fall on someone’s property, take photos if possible.
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney. FedEx workers’ comp claims can be complicated. Seek legal advice to ensure your rights are protected and you get compensation to help with your recovery.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we help injured delivery drivers navigate the claims process, ensure proper medical care is authorized, and fight for the benefits they deserve.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
If you’re a FedEx driver dealing with a work-related injury, navigating the workers’ compensation system can feel overwhelming. Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can provide some key benefits:
- Clear legal guidance from the start,
- Help with disputed or denied claims,
- Protection against insurance tactics,
- Accurate calculation of compensation,
- Negotiation power with your employer and their insurance company, and
- Support through the entire claim.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we’ll give you space to focus on what matters most: your health and recovery. We handle the legal details, so you don’t have to.
Contact a Charlotte Lawyer to Learn About Your FedEx Workers’ Comp Policy
If you were injured while working as a FedEx driver, you don’t have to guess your way through the process or take the insurance company’s word for anything. Let us help you understand your rights and pursue the benefits you’re entitled to.
We bring over 30 years of combined legal experience and are board-certified in workers’ compensation law by the North Carolina State Bar. We’ve handled complex claims involving large corporations, insurance denials, misclassified workers, and serious injuries.
Contact Mehta & McConnell, PLLC today for a free consultation and speak directly with an experienced Charlotte workers’ compensation attorney.
Resources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22, link.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29, link.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-30, link.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31, link.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-33.2, link.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38, link.
Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC was founded in 2021 to represent individuals who are injured at work or due to the negligence of someone else. Both of our attorneys began their careers as defense attorneys representing large corporations and insurance companies, but we now only represent injured individuals.
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