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You work hard to make Amazon one of the most successful companies in the world. Amazon has redefined international e-commerce and had 638 billion U.S. dollars in net sales revenue in 2024. So why is it so challenging to receive workers’ compensation benefits from them when you get hurt on the job?
I am work injury attorney Nick Platt, and at my firm, Platt Law Firm PC, I have helped hundreds of clients manage their path through Iowa’s workers’ comp system. I stand ready to help you negotiate, mediate and, if necessary, litigate to get the benefits and compensation you need.
Even if you were hurt seriously at work, your first stop is often AmCare, Amazon’s onsite medical station. Reliance on AmCare allows Amazon to avoid reporting your “small” injury to OSHA. By strongly recommending AmCare instead of encouraging workers to visit an independent physician, Amazon’s leadership is asking you to risk delayed treatment of your workplace injury.
When you’ve been hurt while working at Amazon in Iowa, you want to receive the care that will help you get well – not just what will get you back to work to make money for your employer. Amazon’s company doctors are under pressure to release workers to light duty to keep their “Lost Time” stats down.
Iowa law gives employers considerable latitude in how medical care related to workers’ compensation claims is conducted. However, my firm helps injured workers exercise their right to an independent medical exam. I can also help Iowa employees of Amazon challenge a return to work with “light duty restrictions” if it’s clearly not in the best interest of their health.
Although Amazon has automated much of the fulfillment process, it still requires a lot of human help to organize and pack commercial goods. Different roles in the DSM5 Bondurant Warehouse may see different injuries, but all of them deserve careful diagnosis and compensated care to heal them.
If your position at DSM5 requires you to scan items throughout your shift, you’re at risk for repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and tennis elbow. Recovery from a repetitive stress injury is nearly impossible if you’re still working without restrictions at Amazon, since time off task is a red flag for managers. If you’re not making rate, you may be disciplined for lack of productivity.
Amazon warehouse associates can be assigned any number of roles during their time with the company. Given the company’s emphasis on efficiency, workers may feel compelled to rush through their activities without regard for ergonomics or safety. Here’s a quick summary of the types of injuries that employees in three common roles are at risk for.
Additionally, all Amazon workers may be exposed to other safety hazards leading to slip-and-fall injuries or collisions with forklifts or delivery vehicles.
If Sedgwick, Amazon’s third-party claim administrator, denied your workers’ comp claim, that’s not the end of the story. I work with clients to exercise all their rights related to denied workers’ comp claims, including the right to use the appeal process to challenge the rejection.
I can help you with every step of your appeal of a rejected Sedgwick claim, which may include some or all of these steps:
My staff and I work closely with clients during the appeals process, ensuring that the state’s tight deadlines are met and you go into hearings and court proceedings with the strongest possible case.
You may be in a situation after your Amazon workplace injury where it would be more helpful to receive your workers’ compensation in a lump sum rather than as a weekly benefit. Amazon and Sedgwick often will push back on workers’ comp claims when a lump-sum payment is requested, but with proper representation, it is possible to receive a lump-sum settlement.
Iowa does not use a workers’ comp settlement chart to determine settlement amounts. Rather, they use a formula that considers the extent of your Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) rating. A PPD rating uses standardized guidelines to determine how much impairment you’ve suffered. This is expressed as a percentage rating. That percentage rating is multiplied by a set number of weeks or a dollar value established by state law for that specific injury. This is often combined with your average weekly wage, age and other factors to determine your final PPD award.
My approach to lump-sum settlements is to apply aggressive advocacy to help you make the case for the amount of your award. I can also help you negotiate a Chapter 85 partial commutation of benefits so that you retain the right to receive future medical care through the workers’ comp system after you receive your settlement.
Injured Amazon workers in Des Moines face a confusing legal maze, amplified by local insurers who often side with the employer. My firm, Platt Law Firm PC, can help you fight for fair treatment and the workers’ compensation benefits you need. Call my Urbandale office at 515-278-1522 to set up an initial consultation, or fill out the online form on this website. Se habla español.