Injured While Delivering for Amazon or UPS? How Seasonal Workers Can Protect Their Rights Under PA Workers’ Comp

The holiday season brings an enormous surge in online shopping, and with it, a massive increase in short-term delivery jobs. Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers routinely hire thousands of seasonal drivers, driver helpers, and warehouse associates to keep up with demand. These jobs are fast-paced, physically demanding, and often performed under strict delivery quotas. Unfortunately, that combination means seasonal workers face a high risk of injury.

If you were hurt while delivering packages in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering: Do I qualify for workers’ compensation even if I am a seasonal or temporary worker? What if I was labeled an “independent contractor”? Will filing a claim affect my ability to get rehired?

Below, we break down what seasonal delivery workers need to know about their rights under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law and what steps to take immediately after an injury.

Seasonal or Not, You Are Likely Covered Under PA Workers’ Comp

Pennsylvania law requires nearly all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, including employers who hire temporary, part-time, and seasonal workers. If you are considered an employee, even if you only work for a few weeks, you may be entitled to:

• Coverage of medical bills
• Wage-loss benefits if you cannot work
• Benefits for scarring or permanent injury
• Death benefits for dependents in fatal cases

This is true whether you were injured on your first day or your last day. Seasonal workers do not have fewer rights than full-time employees.

The “Independent Contractor” Issue: Do Not Assume You Are Not Covered

Some delivery companies, particularly Amazon’s network of independent Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), may characterize workers as “contractors.” In Pennsylvania, however, what matters is how you actually work, not what your employer calls you.

You may be legally considered an employee if:

• The company controls your route, schedule, or how you perform your job
• You drive a company-provided vehicle or wear company-required gear
• You cannot refuse assignments
• You must follow strict delivery procedures
• You work full shifts rather than project-based assignments

Even Amazon Flex drivers, who use their own vehicles, may qualify depending on the facts of the working relationship. Misclassification is common, and misclassified workers often assume they cannot file a claim. A workers’ compensation attorney at Stern & Cohen can evaluate your situation and determine whether you should be legally treated as an employee.

Common Injuries for Amazon and UPS Seasonal Workers

Seasonal delivery jobs involve repetitive lifting, fast movement, long hours, and hazardous conditions, especially during the winter months. Common injuries include:

• Slip and fall accidents on ice, snow, or wet porches
• Back and shoulder injuries from lifting heavy packages
• Dog bites while delivering to customers’ homes
• Vehicle accidents involving delivery vans or personal vehicles
• Repetitive stress injuries such as tendinitis
• Heat or cold exposure injuries, depending on the season
• Falls while entering or exiting delivery trucks

Even if your injury does not seem serious at first, it is important to report it right away.

What Should You Do After a Delivery-Related Injury?

1. Report the Injury Immediately

Pennsylvania law requires injured workers to give notice within 120 days. However, waiting even a few days can allow an employer to question whether the injury was work-related. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible and request written confirmation.

2. Seek Medical Attention

Go to the emergency room, an urgent care facility, or a physician listed on your employer’s panel of providers, if applicable and within the first 90 days. Be sure to describe in detail how the injury occurred.

3. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

After a workplace injury, your employer should notify its insurance carrier. Claims, however, are often delayed or denied, particularly for seasonal workers. If your claim is denied, you are told you are not an employee, or wage-loss benefits are refused, contact an attorney immediately. The experienced attorneys at Stern & Cohen can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to receive.

4. Do Not Quit or Assume You Are Out of Options

Some seasonal workers are told they will not be rehired if they file a claim. This type of pressure is illegal. Your right to workers’ compensation benefits is protected under Pennsylvania law.

Why Seasonal Workers Need an Attorney

Seasonal delivery workers face unique challenges, including:

• Employers denying claims due to short-term employment
• Insurers arguing the worker is an independent contractor
• Pressure not to report injuries during peak season
• Difficulty obtaining wage-loss benefits if the season ends while the worker remains injured

An experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can:

• Determine whether you are legally an employee
• Ensure your claim is properly filed
• Challenge claim denials or delays
• Coordinate potential third-party injury claims
• Protect you from retaliation or intimidation

You worked hard during the busiest time of year. You deserve the full protection of Pennsylvania law.

Injured While Delivering for Amazon or UPS? We Can Help.

If you were injured while delivering packages, whether as a driver, helper, or warehouse associate, you do not have to face the insurance company alone. Contact Stern & Cohen for a free consultation. We represent injured workers across Pennsylvania, including seasonal and temporary employees, and can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law.