Pandemic has kept people home, and delivery drivers have been busier than ever. A lot has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, and one such thing is society’s need for delivery drivers to be on the road. When delivering vital supplies to customers on the road, delivery drivers are always in danger of being involved in an accident. In addition, they also face the risk of being assaulted while delivering packages to a customer’s door. Whether a delivery driver is eligible for workers’ compensation following an accident or assault is typically determined by if the person is an employee or an independent contractor. This post by Bronx workers’ compensation attorney helps in determining whether you are eligible for workers’ compensation?
Workers Compensation Eligibility Depends On Your Employment Status
Compensation as an Employee Delivery Driver
The majority of states mandate employers to provide workers’ compensation coverage to all employees beginning on the first day of employment. If you work for a company as an employee, you are most likely covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If you are employed as a delivery driver and are involved in an accident, you should tell your employer immediately to begin the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Bear in mind that workers’ compensation coverage applies whenever you are doing any job-related duties, including returning from a customer’s home. You do not have to be on your way to a customer to be eligible for workers’ compensation if you are involved in an accident.
However, there is a caveat: Insurance companies will attempt to deny your compensation if they believe your own recklessness or unlawful behavior contributed to your workplace injury. For instance, if you are driving while intoxicated or texting and cause an accident, your workers’ compensation claim may be endangered.
Compensation as an Independent Contractor Delivery Driver
Many delivery drivers are independent contractors who are not employed by a company or organization. Instead, they are self-employed individuals who accept delivery assignments on an as-needed basis. You are not categorized as an employee if you deliver goods using an app like Uber, DoorDash, or GrubHub. As a result, you are unlikely to be protected by workers’ compensation coverage. In most states, businesses are not required to pay workers’ compensation benefits to independent contractors who want to work for them.
However, if you are a contracted delivery driver and got injured in a car accident, you are not completely out of luck for getting coverage for your losses. Depending on the firm that hired you as a driver, you may be covered by a sizable insurance policy covering bodily harm damages, such as emergency medical care and hospitalization. Take a look at the terms and conditions of the app you use as a delivery driver; it may have policies that can assist you in the event of an accident on the job.
Bronx Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help:
Securing compensation for a work-related injury can be complicated. Employment status restrictions and the accident’s type, cause, and location all affect an employee’s ability to claim compensation for work-related injuries. If you believe that you or one of your loved ones has been injured and requires legal assistance, you can contact a qualified Bronx workers’ compensation lawyer who can assist you in recovering and maximizing your entitled work injury benefits.
