Amazon workers and the potential for injuries

Awood Center is now working alongside the National Employment Law Project to establish accountability for workers’ compensation in Minnesota. Everyone has the right to work in a safe, clean and healthy environment. Injuries that result from the conditions of work and not the worker can become lawsuits. What research now shows regarding workplace injuries puts the Amazon conglomerate under examination.

The alarming rate of new injuries

Amazon is no stranger to public allegations of unsafe conditions in its supply chain. What’s even more alarming is how the Amazon factories of Minnesota fare at the national standard. As a median average in the state, workplace injuries are likely to occur 2.7 times per 100 employees. In specific counties, however, Amazon sees as many as seven injuries for every 100 workers. The data from 15 cities has Amazon’s Shakopee facility holding a record for workplace injuries.

Pay inequalities

In another report, the same Amazon facilities had apparent pay inequalities of up to 64 percent in garnished wages. The largest pay discrepancies were found in Scott County. County employees who are more likely to earn lower wages were Hispanics and blacks. The comparison here was made against historical data for Amazon factories and their workers.

Compensation insurance

Companies like Amazon are required to have workers’ compensation insurance for accidents and injuries. Insurance is how employees feel confident that a workplace injury doesn’t leave them without medical or financial assistance. In the event of an injury, Amazon workers can expect to receive basic compensation. This helps to pay for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Tuition needs
• Retraining

Workers’ compensation in Minnesota

National research shows that Amazon injuries occur at a higher rate when compared to other shipping and delivery businesses. No one should take an injury from these supply chains lightly. Amazon, specifically, will work to establish a strong case against someone’s claims for workers’ comp. Due to these challenges, injuries at work must be reported immediately. It is then recommended to find medical opinions about the severity and nature of any injuries sustained.