Colorado Workers’ Compensation for Injured UPS Workers
How UPS workers can file for workers’ compensation in Colorado
There are hundreds of UPS stores and supporting locations in Colorado. Those locations would grind to a halt without the 5,400+ employees who keep them running. Unfortunately, injuries are a common occurrence for UPS employees. Whether you drive the trucks, carry the packages through warehouses, or work on retail operations, no one is immune to workplace injuries.
If you get injured while working for UPS, you have rights when it comes to workers’ compensation. Continue reading to learn more about how to protect your rights.
What types of injuries are common among UPS workers?
UPS employees are tasked with a wide variety of jobs, so the injuries they sustain are similarly diverse. However, the majority of injuries are due to the heavy lifting and repetitive motions inherent in the work. These can include neck and back strain, bulging or ruptured discs in the spine, broken bones, bruises and cuts, or other joint injuries.
It is important to remember that fault is not an issue when dealing with workers’ compensation claims in Colorado.
If you were injured during the course of your employment, or a pre-existing injury was aggravated due to your employment, you are still entitled to compensation. Even if you think an injury is relatively small or likely to heal quickly, it is always worth seeking a second opinion to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
What should you do if you were injured while working at UPS?
Being injured while at work can be scary, stressful, and difficult. You may not know what you should do first or what steps you need to take. We recommend the following:
1. Get medical help immediately
Your health and safety should always be your top priority. If you are injured on the job, seeking medical attention should always be your first step. This is especially true for emergencies. As your employer, UPS is required to compensate you for emergency medical care for a workplace injury.
If your injury is not necessarily an emergency, then you should be more selective about where you receive medical care. Your employer should be able to provide you with a list of workers’ compensation doctors from whom you can choose. If they refuse to give you that list, consult with an attorney immediately.
2. Report your injury
Workplace injuries are not something to hide from your employer. If you are injured while working for UPS, you need to let your supervisor know. Make sure to do this as soon as possible. Your supervisor should help you file a workers’ compensation claim, but if they resist, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
3. Follow your doctor’s advice
It is essential to follow your doctor’s advice and care instructions. Failure to follow their advice will not only lengthen your healing time but could also jeopardize your claim.
If you are unhappy with your physician, or if you do not think you are being provided with quality medical care, it may be possible to see a different doctor. There are 2 ways that this is usually accomplished.
First, if your employer provided you with a list of doctors to choose from, and you are still within the first 90 days following your injury, you are allowed to switch to 1 of the other doctors on the list. Otherwise, if a list was not provided, you may have the right to select your own workers’ compensation doctor.
In either instance, it may be helpful to have the assistance of an attorney, who can ensure that you are transferring care to a reputable doctor and assist with any paperwork that the transfer of care requires.
4. Speak with an experienced attorney
Although Colorado’s workers’ compensation laws are designed to protect employees, navigating the system can be very difficult. The nuances of workers’ compensation law can be complex and unintuitive. If you miss a deadline or use the incorrect form to seek benefits or changes to your claim, you may jeopardize your case. Because of this, you may want to speak with a reputable and qualified attorney who is experienced with workers’ compensation claims.
By working alongside an experienced attorney, you will ensure that you take the proper steps to make a successful claim. Further, you will be able to maximize your compensation and protect your rights.
