Know Your Rights as a Truck Driver or Delivery Person

 Posted on January 26, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

If you drive a truck or make deliveries for a living, you know that your job comes with certain risks. You could be injured on the job in an accident, from overexertion, or even from another person’s negligence. With this in mind, it is important to identify the common causes of injury and to understand when workers' compensation is available for your injuries. If you have recently been injured and are not sure if you have a case, a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine your best course of action.

Common Causes of Injuries for Delivery Personnel and Truck Drivers

There are numerous ways in which delivery people and truck drivers can be injured on the job. A few of the most common causes include:

Overexertion

This occurs when a delivery person or truck driver strains their body by using too much force when lifting, pushing, pulling, throwing, carrying, or other similar activities. Overexertion can cause sprains and strains in muscles and ligaments.

Vehicle Accidents

Delivery people and truck drivers spend lots of time driving on highways and city streets, so it is no surprise that vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of injury for these workers. Common injuries associated with these types of accidents include:

• Whiplash

• Broken bones

• Concussions and brain injuries

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis

• Back and neck injuries

• Cuts, bruises, and scrapes

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

While making deliveries or working in a warehouse environment, slips and falls can occur due to wet floors or other hazardous conditions such as loose wiring or materials left in walkways. It is very easy for a delivery person with full hands to not be able to see dangerous conditions in front of them, especially in low-light environments.

Workers' Compensation Benefits

Under most circumstances, if you are injured while performing your duties as a delivery employee or truck driver, you are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits which may include medical benefits and temporary disability benefits (which provide income support). Workers' compensation benefits are generally available regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

However, if another person caused your injury, then you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against them, which could result in additional compensation beyond what is provided by workers' compensation insurance coverage. You would need to show that the other party acted negligently in some way and that negligence led to your injuries.

Work Closely With a Gilroy Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you were injured while performing your job as a truck driver or delivery person, an experienced Santa Clara County workers’ comp attorney can help you understand your options for collecting benefits. We will analyze your situation and assist you in making the best decisions about how to proceed. Call 408-848-1113 for a free consultation at Cramer + Martinez today.

Source:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/InjuredWorkerGuidebook/InjuredWorkerGuidebook.html