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Warehouse workers at Amazon face similar hazards to workers in any other warehouse. However, according to one study, Amazon workers get injured more than twice as many times as workers in other warehouse jobs. In 2021, there were more than 34,000 serious injuries to employees while on the job at Amazon facilities. Among all warehouse workers in the United States, Amazon employees make up roughly one-third of these workers, but nearly half of all injuries (49%)  happened at Amazon facilities.
Like any personal injury lawsuit, you’ll first need to prove that another person or business entity is responsible for your injuries and was negligent. Where a case becomes more complicated for a self-employed person is in the calculation of lost wages. If you work for someone else, either as an hourly or salaried employee, it is rather straightforward to calculate how many hours or days of work you lost due to your injuries and provide a letter stating what regular compensation and bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation you missed out on. You can also include any sick, vacation, or bonus days you had to use during your hospitalization and recovery. If you are self-employed, the process becomes more complicated.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’ll need to file a claim first with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. In Illinois, you’re allowed to select your own doctor to treat workers’ comp injuries. This is so that you have a better chance of securing a physician who has your recovery and best interests in mind, rather than one who has a vested interest in the insurance company’s profits.  You will, however, need to secure a doctor who accepts workers’ comp insurance, so make sure you let them know upfront that you were injured on the job, and it will be the company’s insurance policy paying. The doctor will need to know this information ahead of time because the insurer will certainly require the doctor to obtain authorization before performing certain treatments or tests.
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

Call: 773-838-8100

Safety Incentive Programs Encouraging Employees to Hide Work Injuries

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Injured worker concept on paper cut out

While they might seem like a good idea, the Government Accountability Office says safety incentive programs, like rate-based programs, can actually discourage workers from reporting injuries and illnesses to their employers.

Rate-based programs are implemented to benefit workers who achieve low rates of illnesses or injuries. Experts say the program, which is used by about 22 percent of manufacturers, might reward healthy workers with a prize or bonus at the end of the year for their safe work practices. This, according to GAO, leads workers to cover up their injuries or illnesses.

Behavior-Based Programs

Instead of utilizing rate-based programs, the GAO recommends manufacturers consider a behavior-based program. These types of reward concepts offer positive incentives that promote employee participation in safety-based activities, like participating in investigations of incidents or near misses, or identifying hazards. Rather than gifting the team who had no injuries or illnesses in the past year, the behavior-based program provides perks to those who suggest ways to improve safety and health.

In 2010, the survey indicates that about one-quarter of manufacturers used safety incentive programs. Only about one in seven had implemented a behavior-based program.

The same survey also reported about 70 percent of manufacturers had demerit systems, which aim to punish employees for dangerous workplace behaviors. More than half required post-incident alcohol and drug tests – another potential deterrent for workers injured on the job from saying anything about their suffering.

To try and correct the problem, the GAO has made some recommendations to OSHA that it provide clear guidance to manufacturers about the use of safety incentive programs and other safety policies. OSHA says it plans to address them.

Source: Risk & Insurance, “Safety incentives could lead to fewer reported injuries, illnesses,” June 4, 2012

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Law Group, Ltd.

Chicago accident lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd