United Parcel Service (UPS) expects a lot out of their employees. They drive large trucks in crowded, potentially unsafe areas, and they lift and carry huge packages every day. The combination of these two elements means that UPS workers are bound to suffer a work injury at some point during their career. Some of the most common injuries for UPS workers include:
- Neck and back strain from repetitive lifting
- Bulging and ruptured discs
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruising
- Hand, wrist, and arm injuries
Lifting accidents can often result in permanent, lifelong injuries that may lead to chronic pain and an inability to lift for the rest of your life.
What should I do if I was injured while working for UPS?
- Get emergency medical care or set up an appointment with a pre-approved doctor.
The first thing you should do after an injury is get the medical attention you need. If it is an emergency, you need to get help right away. Don’t worry about your workers’ compensation claim for now—UPS will cover emergency care as long as it is reasonable.
If your situation isn’t an emergency, then you can make an appointment with one of several pre-approved doctors. Talk to your manager or supervisor about how to get this process started. They should be able to point you to a list of approved doctors that you can use for your situation. If UPS refuses to give you this information, then it’s time to involve a lawyer.
- Report your injury to your manager or supervisor.
You are required to report your injury to UPS within 30 days of the date of injury. This is not a rule imposed by UPS—it’s a requirement under Georgia law. If you don’t meet this reporting requirement, then your workers’ compensation claim will likely be dismissed outright.
- Continue to follow up with medical care.
The most important obligation that you have in your workers comp case is to yourself. Be sure to follow the doctor’s orders regarding treatment and continue to get medical care as you need it.
There are situations where you may not agree with what the doctor is telling you. In those cases, you might have other options to get your own treatment with a different doctor. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you with that process.
- Talk to a workers’ compensation attorney.
In many situations, UPS will simply get you the medical help you need and pay you the benefits that you’re entitled to receive. But, if it seems like you aren’t being treated fairly or your benefits are less than they should be, talk to an attorney about what is happening. Sometimes merely asking the question will lead you to discover that your employer is taking advantage of you and you don’t even realize it.
Learn More About Your Legal Options
If you are ready to take the next steps in your workers’ compensation claim against UPS, we can help. John Foy & Associates has been helping workers just like you for over 15 years. Our workers compensation attorneys offer a free consultation that you can use to ensure that you are getting all of the benefits that you should be in your situation. Fill out the form to your right or call us at 404-400-4000 to get your FREE consultation today.