Despite Amazon’s dominance in online retail, the company has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, primarily due to the unsafe working conditions in its warehouses. OSHA’s federal law mandates that employees are entitled to safe working environments, and that includes working on safe machines. According to a 2021 report published by the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), workers at Amazon facilities sustained more than 34,000 serious injuries on the job – a record twice as high as its competitors.
Being injured on the job is a serious matter. If you’re an Amazon worker in Georgia who has been injured, it is crucial to seek assistance from our Georgia Amazon accident attorneys. We can help you navigate the complexities of worker compensation and company liability while ensuring you receive the support and justice you deserve.
Understanding Liability in Amazon Worker Accidents
It can seem rather daunting to prove and pinpoint liability when an accident occurs in large-scale workplaces like Amazon warehouses. Understanding liability in light of these accidents can better help you when filing for Amazon worker compensation. Liability can be determined in such cases under the following:
- Unsafe Machinery Liability Accidents
- Employer failure to maintain or properly repair industrial equipment.
- If the operating machinery does not comply with safety regulations such as OSHA regulations, and machinery failure leads to injury, then the employer could be found negligent.
- There may be cases where the machinery lacks the necessary safety features, such as emergency stop buttons or safety guards and shields.
Unsafe machinery liability accidents are also further compounded by other issues where employers fail to provide adequate training, leading to further injury and increasing the employers’ liability in such incidences.
How Amazon Can Be Held Liable
It is the employer’s duty to ensure a safe working environment and provide adequate training. Liability could be established in the following ways:
- Violation of Occupational Safety Regulations – A violation of OSHA standards can hold an employer liable, especially if this violation leads to hazardous working conditions. The Department of Labor through OSHA issued citations to three Amazon warehouses in 2023 and delivered hazard alert letters for employee exposure to ergonomic hazards.
- Negligence in Maintenance and Training: If it can be proven that Amazon failed to maintain warehouse equipment or did not provide employees with the necessary training, these are possible grounds for negligence claims. The California OSHA cited Amazon in January 2024 five times for endangering workers in high heat. OSHA stated the workers did not have adequate access to drinking water, nor were supervisors and employees adequately trained to keep safe while working in the heat.
Such instances highlight the importance of adequate safety practices at Amazon warehouses, and the ways that experienced attorneys can help advocate for the rights of injured workers seeking justice.
The Role of Georgia Amazon Accident Attorneys
You will need the expertise of competent Georgia Amazon accident attorneys to go up against Amazon. These attorneys understand the complex liability laws and can assist you with:
- Case Evaluation: They will assess your accident and determine who is liable for fault.
- Representation and Negotiation: The attorneys can mediate with Amazon to help you secure a fair settlement for your injury.
- Trial Advocacy: If a satisfactory agreement can’t be reached, the attorneys will begin preparations to advocate for you as a client in legal proceedings.
You can trust these professionals to ensure that your rights are protected every step along the way.
Preventive Measures and Workplace Safety
One party cannot uphold the prevention of accidents. While employees should do their part in keeping informed and aware of safety protocols in the workplace, employers are also liable to do their part to ensure safe workplaces. Some key preventive measures include:
- Providing a workplace that conforms to OSHA standards.
- Regularly updating and observing safety protocols.
- Ensure that employees have an adequate understanding of the safe use of equipment.
- Establishing procedures for open communication about potential hazards.
Following these measures can create an overall safer work environment.
Injured at an Amazon Facility? Contact Us Today for a Consultation
Our experienced Georgia Amazon accident attorneys are here to help if you have been injured on the job. You don’t have to face the company alone. Contact us today to pursue your Amazon worker compensation with confidence.