FedEx operates more than 200,000 vehicles nationwide and moves more than 16 million packages daily. Driving for FedEx can be physically demanding, and injuries are a real possibility due to the long hours and heavy lifting. FedEx drivers can face injuries that incur expensive medical bills and keep them from working.
If you are a FedEx driver who has suffered injuries on the job and can no longer work, contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman. FedEx drivers can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and there may be additional options for financial compensation. We can investigate your case and work to secure the money you need to support yourself and your family.
Contact our offices today to speak to a FedEx driver injury attorney in Chicago.
FedEx drivers work for one of the largest shipping companies in the nation and are under pressure to make deliveries on time. These pressures can cause them to injure themselves from overexertion and driving too much. FedEx workers can also sustain injuries, such as muscle strains, back injuries, concussions, and sprained joints, while loading and unloading cargo between deliveries. Drivers may develop repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel or rotator cuff injury, from repeated actions, like closing doors, shifting gears, and keeping their hands on the driving wheel.
FedEx drivers are also at risk of injuries from traffic accidents. Typical injuries from a traffic accident include:
Businesses that operate in Illinois are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, including shipping companies like FedEx. Workers’ compensation will cover the cost of injuries you sustain while on the job. The injury doesn’t have to occur on company property, as long as you were working when it happened. Workers’ comp covers acute injuries, cumulative injuries from overuse, and disease or illness from exposure to hazardous materials.
Below are some hypothetical examples where a FedEx driver could file for workers’ compensation benefits:
Workers’ compensation provides no-fault coverage, so it will pay benefits regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This means that FedEx cannot avoid paying benefits by trying to blame you for your injuries.
In the past, FedEx has classified drivers as independent contractors to avoid paying workers’ comp benefits. Workers’ compensation only covers employees, so FedEx might label its drivers as independent contractors to reduce insurance costs.
However, Illinois has strict rules about who counts as an employee. If an employer exerts a sufficient level of control over how a worker performs their job, that worker is an employee, regardless of how the employer classifies them. Courts use a multi-factor test to assess whether a given worker counts as an employee or not.
FedEx has faced litigation over accusations of employee misclassification in the past. If you believe that FedEx has incorrectly classified you as an independent contractor to avoid paying benefits, Levin, Riback & Adelman can help. We can challenge employee misclassifications and fight to secure the employee benefits and protections you are entitled to.
Workers’ compensation in Illinois provides the following types of benefits for injured employees.
Medical Benefits
Workers’ comp will pay for the cost of reasonable medical treatment for your injuries, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitative care, prescriptions, and medical devices. It can also pay for the cost of modifications to your home if you have permanent disabilities.
Wage Replacement
Workers’ comp also provides wage replacement benefits, including:
Permanent Disability Benefits
Permanent partial disability (PPD) will pay benefits based on a schedule that lists specific numbers of weeks for the loss of a portion or the use of particular body parts, unscheduled losses, or disfigurement.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If your injuries require you to switch to a different line of work, workers’ compensation can pay for the cost of vocational training. Vocational rehabilitation benefits include the costs of training programs and maintenance benefits to pay for essential costs.
Death Benefits
If you die from a work injury, workers’ compensation will pay up to $8,000 to cover funeral and burial costs. Your survivors will also receive death benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly earnings. Survivors can keep receiving death benefits for 25 years or until $500,000 has been paid.
Workers’ compensation is the first line of compensation for injured workers, but it may not be sufficient to cover all your losses. Workers’ comp doesn’t replace 100 percent of your lost income, and it won’t pay for intangible, personal losses, like pain and suffering. A work injury attorney from Levin, Riback & Adelman can help explore other options for financial compensation.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claim
Illinois workers’ compensation laws generally prohibit you from suing your employer for work injuries. However, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against other parties who are not your employer if they caused your injuries. For instance, if a negligent driver ran into you while on delivery, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
FedEx drivers can face lasting medical complications from injuries at their jobs and deserve a chance to recover their losses. The attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman are proud to stand up for injured workers in Illinois and will work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. When suffering from injuries, you don’t need to deal with insurance companies and potential litigation. We can manage the entirety of your workers’ compensation claim, from initial filing to final negotiations, so that you can prioritize healing and recovery.
Contact our offices today for a free case consultation with a FedEx truck driver injury attorney. You can reach out via phone, email, or text to schedule a meeting.
Are you uncertain of your legal options? Get the skilled and honest advice that you need to make smart decisions. Share your story with an experienced personal injury lawyer by calling 312-782-6717. You can also send us a message online to set up a free consultation.
