Injury Compensation For Holiday Delivery Drivers

The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are typically the busiest days of the year for many delivery drivers. Drivers are loading, lifting and delivering more packages than normal, and it should come as no surprise that this increased workload tends to correlate to a spike in employee injuries for those in the shipping and receiving industry. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the seasonal hazards that shippers and delivery drivers face during the holiday season, and we share what you should do if you suffer an on-the-job injury.

Delivery Driver Holiday Injuries

Whether you’re delivering for Amazon, FedEx, UPS or the local postal service, odds are you’re delivering more mail than at any other part of the year. This is usually driven by the increase in online shopping during the holiday season, and that’s only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. More people than ever before are staying home to do their shopping, and that means more packages need to be delivered.

All these extra packages need to be loaded, unloaded and delivered, and that can be physically exhausting and even result in injuries. Whether a package drops on your foot or you tear your rotator cuff trying to carry a heavy box off the truck, package-related injuries tend to skyrocket in November and December.

The increase in deliveries also has some unintended side effects that could affect your injury risk. For example, when more packages need to be delivered, drivers oftentimes look for any ways they can to shave seconds off their route so that their 8-hour shift doesn’t turn into a 10-hour one. Many drivers do not buckle and unbuckle their seat belts every time they enter or exit a vehicle in order to save time, and that can be extremely dangerous. With guaranteed delivery times and the fact that many drivers are required to take a picture of the delivered package to prove that it made it to its final destination, it’s no surprise that drivers are cutting corners in order to meet quotas, and that can lead to injuries.

Here in Minnesota, the holiday season is also one of the more dangerous times on the road. The winter season means that daylight is fleeting and it starts to get harder to see by early afternoon. Decreased visibility can lead to collisions with vehicles or drivers who are jetting around making deliveries. Road conditions also tend to be a little less ideal during the winter in Minnesota. Snow, ice and sleet can make it harder to see and increase your braking distance, resulting in more low-impact collisions. An unexpected collision can lead to major injuries like whiplash or fractures, even at low speeds.

We understand that this is your busiest time of year, but please buckle your seat belt and drive carefully throughout your entire route. In the event that you suffer an acute injury or end up dealing with a new chronic pain, make sure that you get a medical evaluation and reach out to a lawyer. You have the right to compensation and lost wage payments in the event that your injuries prevent you from doing your job. Now is not the time to hide your injuries and power through the holiday season, because failing to disclose your injury could make you ineligible to pursue compensation later on. Put yourself and your family first and file for injury compensation if you are injured during your delivery route this season.

If you want assistance with the process, pick up the phone and connect with Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm. We’ve helped countless delivery drivers and people in the shipping and receiving industry get the compensation they deserve after an acute or slow-developing injury. If you’re not sure if you have a legitimate claim, there’s no harm in calling and connecting with an attorney. If we think there’s a viable path to compensation, we’ll help you get every penny you deserve.

For more information, or for help with your injury claim, reach out to Dean Margolis today at (952) 230-2700.