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Do Food Delivery Drivers Qualify For Workers’ Comp?

A significant number of people make food orders while home or at their workplace. As a result, the food delivery business has grown tremendously, making delivery drivers busier than ever. They take the food to customers using cars, scooters, bikes, or by running across town.

Unfortunately, their jobs also come with inherent dangers such as assault or car accidents. If employed food delivery drivers get hurt while on duty, they may be entitled to compensation. However, independently contracted drivers do not share the same benefits. Read on for more details.

An Employed Food Delivery Driver

All sorts of eateries have employed workers who make food deliveries from their kitchen to the clients’ doorstep. All these drivers should have compensation insurance coverage, which is a requirement in most states. Pizza delivery drivers are the most common delivery drivers.

As an employed driver, you need to notify your employer as soon as an accident occurs. If the injury happened in the workplace, in most cases you are eligible for benefits. Keep in mind that this includes driving from a client’s delivery point without food in the vehicle.

However, insurance companies will always assess if there was any unlawful behavior or negligence on your part that caused the accident. For instance, if the driver was drinking on the job, it creates room for the insurer to deny the claim.

An Independent Contractor Delivering Food

Food delivery apps are on the rise, such as DoorDash, Postmates, GrubHub, and UberEats. It has led to independent contractors who make food deliveries. Using these applications, workers are either on part-time or full-time jobs without a specific dress code or a set working schedule.

The downside of this arrangement is they aren’t classified as employees. This means they are not eligible for compensation in the event of an injury that takes place while performing work duties. Typically, most states do not legally require these companies to provide compensation benefits to independent contractors.

Some delivery app companies usually have insurance policies for their contractors. The cover can compensate for bodily injuries that happen when a driver is on duty. For instance, UberEats has such a policy, but the driver should also read all the terms and conditions that could eliminate coverage. Also, the insurance will only assist in paying medical bills without any further benefits.

Ways Food Delivery Drivers Get Injured

Drivers delivering food face many unforeseen risks, yet they are under pressure to make deliveries. Research done around the US revealed that food delivery jobs are among the most dangerous tasks. Some of the common causes of injuries include:

  • Vehicle accidents – Typically, delivery workers spend a lot of time driving, which increases the risk of accidents due to negligence or other drivers. Depending on the severity of the crash, they may suffer from broken bones, internal organ damage, paralysis, and more.
  • Slip and fall injuries – Delivery workers are prone to slip and fall accidents, especially if stairs are defective or parking lots contain ice and snow. They may get fractures, back, and head injuries.
  • Repetitive motions – Making many deliveries in a day means that workers will have to perform many repetitive motions. They will grip the steering wheel or bike handle countless times, handle different packages, and open and close car doors. The workers may suffer from trigger finger, among other soft tissue injuries.

Conclusion

Food delivery drivers may have accidents that can lead to high medical expenses, disability, or even death. If the injury happened in the workplace, with a few exceptions, you are eligible for benefits from your employer. You may not be sure about the employment category you fall under, but an experienced attorney can help you determine your benefits.


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Do Food Delivery Drivers Qualify For Workers’ Comp?

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