Atticus offers free, high-quality workers' compensation advice to those injured at work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience, and help thousands of Americans get the benefits they deserve each year.
Why trust us?In July 2023, workers negotiated a historic new contract with UPS, including wage increases and protections surrounding time off. But one thing that was on most workers’ minds when negotiations began was something that seemed pretty basic: air conditioning.
Before the new contract was signed, 73% of UPS workers believed heat illness — the number-one OSHA-reported injury for UPS workers in the previous 7 years — was one of the most important issues to address.
The new contract includes health and safety protections including requirements for air conditioning and fans in trucks, but injuries are still common among UPS workers. The nature of the job can necessitate coming into contact with heavy machinery, falling packages, and even biting dogs.
If you’ve been injured while working at UPS, here’s everything you need to know about workers' comp.
Yes, UPS carries workers’ compensation insurance through Liberty Insurance Corporation. Most states require employers to hold workers’ comp insurance, but Texas is one exception. If you were injured while working for UPS in Texas, a lawyer can help you understand your options.
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, so it doesn’t matter why you got hurt—if you were hurt while carrying out work responsibilities, you should qualify for benefits. Workers who self-inflicted harm, were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or deliberately broke a safety rule that led to an injury are ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Independent contractors and non-regular UPS employees are likely not covered by UPS’s workers’ comp policy.
Between 2015 and 2022, the most common workplace injuries among UPS workers were the effects of heat and light, followed by fractures.
UPS is the largest shipping and logistics company in the U.S. with more than 500,000 workers and unfortunately, injuries are fairly common in this industry.
Atticus’s analysis of OSHA’s Severe Injury Report found the top sources of injuries for UPS workers between 2015 and 2022 were:
Atticus’s analysis found the top incident types for UPS workers between 2015 and 2022 were:
To qualify for workers’ comp, your injury must happen while working for UPS. If you have a cumulative injury or medical condition, it must have a causal relationship to the workplace.
If you are a UPS employee and get hurt on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical costs and lost wages. The workers’ compensation process typically follows these basic steps:
In the event of a medical emergency, it is important to get immediate medical attention. Your employer should send you to a company clinic or nearby hospital. In some states, you must see a doctor in your employer’s insurance network for the first visit of a workers’ compensation case. If you’re injured on the job, UPS should cover emergency medical costs, including an ambulance fee if necessary. Also, UPS will pay you for the rest of the shift at the hourly rate, regardless if you return to work after seeking medical care.
Notify your employer about the injury as soon as possible, preferably in writing. States have different requirements regarding how long you have to report an injury, from three days in Wyoming to up to 2 years in New Hampshire. Regardless of where you live, reporting your injury quickly will strengthen your workers’ comp case.
Seventy percent of UPS workers are part of a union. If you are part of a union, you should also notify your steward, who can help answer any questions you may have about the workers’ comp process.
Your supervisor will have you fill out an on-the-job injury report. Ask for a copy of this report to ensure accuracy and keep it for your records. UPS has 10 days to respond to your injury report and two days to provide you with copies of the report.
After you submit your injury report, UPS will file a claim with Liberty, their insurer. Liberty will assign you a case manager or claims adjuster who will investigate the injury and let you know which benefits you may qualify for.
Your workers’ comp treating physician will evaluate your injury and help determine a return-to-work plan based on your treatment. In some cases, your employer might offer you light-duty work or a modified role, so you can continue to work as you recover.
After you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), when you’ve recovered as much as possible, weekly compensation benefits end. At this point, if you are unable to return to your work capacity before the injury, you may get permanent disability benefits.
Get workers' comp help today. (415) 529-5589Workers’ compensation benefits cover accident-related medical expenses and lost wages. The amount you receive for medical expenses will, of course, depend on the type of injury and the extent of medical care required.
If your injury leads you to miss days of work, your weekly compensation amount will depend on where you live. In most states, you’ll receive compensation equal to two-thirds of your regular pay.
Here are some common questions about the process of filing a workers' compensation claim with United Parcel Service:
The deadline to file a workers’ compensation claim varies between states. The rule of thumb is to notify your employer and file a claim as soon as possible. Here’s how long you have to report a work injury in every state.
Depending on the state you live in, UPS might select a workers’ comp doctor within its insurance network to evaluate your condition. If you’re concerned about seeing a specific provider, you can speak to your union steward or a lawyer for advice.
No, you do not need an attorney to apply for workers’ compensation benefits, but a lawyer can help you navigate the application process to get the maximum possible benefit amount. Working with a lawyer can increase your settlement offer by five times.
If you were injured while working at UPS, you can take a quick workers' comp quiz to see if you qualify for legal help from Atticus, and then get connected to a representative to support your case. There are no upfront costs — you only pay if an attorney wins your benefits.
