Employees filed a complaint against Amazon after experiencing poor working conditions in a San Bernardino warehouse.
This led to an on-site inspection by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, on Friday, July 28.
According to the Inland Empire Amazon Workers United or IEAWU, San Bernardino KSBD air hub employees experienced poor working conditions and safety protections for weeks.
Those who worked outside the warehouse reported they did not get proper protection from the extreme heat, averaging over 100°F daily. Those who worked inside complained they dealt with poor air circulation and strenuous physical workloads.
These complaints were filed with Cal/OSHA, and they demanded shaded areas, cool drinking water, heat break practices, and the right to take cool-down breaks.
Amazon’s spokesperson, Maureen Vogel, shared a statement that refutes the claims of their employees.
Last summer, similar requests were approved, but they were barely implemented, prompting Amazon employees and IEAWU members to demand better protections.
Award-Winning Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in San Bernardino, CA
An employee who sustained work-related injuries in California is eligible for compensation under the state’s workers’ compensation law, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. The victim can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits if the injury occurred during employment and was not caused by negligence or horseplay.
With the help of a lawyer, you can protect your rights, negotiate a fair settlement, or take your case to court without having to prove fault on the part of your employer.
Our team of award-winning San Bernardino workers’ compensation lawyers at Arash Law, led by the famous attorney Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will not stop at anything to represent you in these court proceedings effectively. Our firm has recovered more than $500 Million for California clients.
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What To Do After Workplace Accident
Workplace accidents can be very upsetting and disorienting. You can get through this difficult time and do what you must to protect your rights and well-being.
- Report the accident to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible. It will ensure an official record of the incident.
- Document the accident. Collect as much information as possible about the accident. Take photos of the scene and the injury, and write down any witnesses’ names and contact information.
- Consider filing a workers’ compensation claim: If the accident was work-related, it might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. You should contact the employer’s human resources department or the state’s workers’ compensation board to learn how to file a claim.
- Consider legal action: If you feel that the employer was negligent in preventing the accident or not giving appropriate compensation or support, consider seeking legal advice from a qualified lawyer specializing in workplace accidents.
Workplace Accident Statistics
OSHA stated that workplace fatalities and injuries are a significant concern in the United States, with over 4,500 incidents reported annually. Bureau of Labor statistics indicate that in November 2020, 66.7% of American workers experienced work-related injuries, which remained unchanged from the previous year.
Despite a decline in the total number of claims filed for workers’ compensation, the number of workers killed due to workplace accidents remained steady and increased by 2% or 5,333 in 2018. Trips, slips, and falls were the cause of 16% of all accidental deaths in 2015, accounting for approximately 40.2% of all fatalities.
The major causes of work-related fatalities are automotive accidents, falls, and violence, whereas the leading causes of nonfatal workplace injuries are strains from lifting and falls.