(Newswire.net — October 28, 2021) —
Driving a heavy commercial vehicle on busy roads at any given time is a difficult job. It comes with its own set of risks. Truckers are often required to lift heavy loads, but most of the time the job involves just steering the truck. When making deliveries, semi truck drivers are often required to unload goods from the truck and present them to the client. If you look at UPS drivers, you’ll notices most of their job entails unloading and carrying all manner of packages.
In the world of online business or e-commerce, delivering packages has become the norm for drivers. The busiest time of the year for delivery crews is the holiday season when an even greater number of packages are delivered to homes and business premises. If truck drivers get injured in one way or another during the busy holiday season, an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney should be hired to offer guidance on the claims process and benefits to expect.
It is unfortunate that employers never act appropriately when a worker is injured on the job. The responsibilities and expected behavior of employers are well captured in a recent case in the state of Tennessee.
While preparing to deliver milk to a supermarket, a truck driver was injured after slipping and falling. The driver thought the injuries would heal without any medical intervention, and pain would fade away with time, so the driver did not report the injury to their employer. After completing the scheduled deliveries for the day, the driver was told by the dispatcher to make another delivery. However, the driver told the dispatcher that he was feeling exhausted and sick. In addition to that, the driver informed the dispatcher that under the federal regulations, he didn’t have sufficient service hours to make that delivery.
The driver was directed by the dispatcher to return to the main office of the company. Upon his arrival, the driver was told to pack his belongings and remove them from the truck as his employment had been terminated.
Fortunately, the driver did not sit still; he filed a formal complaint about the retaliatory actions of his employer. This is when the US Department of Labor was dragged into the case. Ultimately, the trucking company and the injured worker came to a settlement after the former employer agreed to make a lump sum payment as compensation for their wrong doing.
GEORGIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWS
It’s important to note that the Tennessee case had nothing to do with workers’ compensation. It was purely a labor dispute. That said, the driver should have reported his injuries to the employer within reasonable time.
Slip and fall incidents are incredibly common in the transportation industry, and these incidents can cause serious injuries. According to Georgia laws, employers with at least three workers are required by law to provide workers compensation to all their employees. This will ensure injured workers have access to compensation for lost wages and medical bills incurred.
Knowing what the law says about workers comp and truckers in Georgia is crucial as it will help to ensure you get justice. Get in touch with an Atlanta law firm to get advice you on matters workers comp.