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Workplace injuries can happen in any industry. In fact, information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us that there were around 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries or illnesses reported during the latest year of data across the United States. However, we want to discuss an industry that has received increased scrutiny concerning workplace injuries over the last year – delivery.

Drivers in the delivery industry have become incredibly essential workers, particularly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only do we rely on these drivers to get our packages to us all year around and during holidays, but we have seen just how important delivery workers are when we are not able to get to the stores ourselves.

Delivery injuries can be severe

Commercial delivery drivers face so many risks when they are on the job each day. From operating a vehicle, making deliveries, and carrying heavy objects, there are countless ways for these workers to sustain injuries. It is not uncommon for our attorneys to help clients who have sustained the following:

• Injuries to the spine, neck, lower back, shoulders, lower extremities
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Motor vehicle accident injuries
• Lifting and falling injuries

Unfortunately, this year has also led to another major risk for delivery drivers – possibly contracting COVID-19 while on the job. Any injury or illness sustained by a delivery driver can lead to extensive medical bills as well as time away from work.

Employees or contractors?

In most situations, any person who sustains an on-the-job injury or illness in Pennsylvania is entitled to workers’ compensation. However, the delivery industry is known for using a significant amount of independent contractors to make deliveries each day. Often, your package, groceries, or food from the local fast food joint are delivered by independent contractors, not employees of a particular company. Amazon, Uber, Instacart, Postmates, and more all use independent contractors. While this may save the company money, this also means that these drivers are not actual employees. They do not have any benefits from the companies they deliver for, including workers’ compensation.

If an independent contractor is injured on the job, they are typically going to be responsible for covering all medical bills that arise. Additionally, if a driver is unable to work while they are recovering, they will not be entitled to any lost wages.

One of the key aspects in the aftermath of a delivery driver on the job injury is determining whether or not the driver is an employee or an independent contractor and then working from there to secure compensation for what happened.

Call our Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorneys today

If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury while working as a delivery driver, you may need to work with an attorney to secure compensation for your losses. These cases can become incredibly complicated, particularly when trying to determine whether you are covered by workers’ compensation or not. At Gross & Kenny, LLP, our Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-512-1500. Our team can be dispatched to help clients throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties.