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Understanding liability and coverage is crucial when filing a FedEx insurance claim. FedEx has a standard liability limit of $0.50 per pound for loss or damage to packages.
This means that if you have a package weighing 10 pounds, the maximum liability would be $5.00. FedEx also offers additional coverage options, including declared value and signature confirmation.
Declared value coverage allows you to specify a higher value for your package, up to $50,000.
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Insurance and Liability
FedEx employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance, which covers all injuries and illnesses, except those that are self-inflicted. The company has over 400,000 full and part-time employees, and this insurance is a must-have for their safety and well-being.
To receive workers' compensation benefits, an injury must be work-related and not something that could have happened anywhere else. For example, if you have a heart attack while delivering a package due to high cholesterol, you might not receive benefits because your heart attack didn't necessarily arise out of your employment.
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Mental health issues are generally not covered unless it can be proven that job stress was a substantial contributing factor to the onset of the illness. First responders and those in similar fields are typically the only workers who receive benefits for mental health issues.
FedEx insurance for packages is a different story. If your package is worth less than $100, coverage is already provided. However, if your package exceeds this value, you'll need to declare the value and have documentation ready in case of a claim.
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Liability for Injury
FedEx is required to carry workers' compensation insurance for its 400,000 full and part-time employees. This means that if you're injured on the job, you're likely eligible for workers' compensation benefits.
However, not all injuries are covered. For example, if you have a heart attack while delivering a package due to high cholesterol, you probably won't receive workers' compensation benefits because your heart attack didn't necessarily arise out of your employment.
In general, all injuries and illnesses (other than those that are self-inflicted) are covered by workers' compensation insurance, as long as the injury or illness arose out of your employment.
Here are some common causes and types of FedEx employee injuries:
In some cases, you may be able to sue FedEx if you're injured as an employee. However, workers' compensation is an exclusive remedy, meaning a workers' compensation claim is typically the sole remedy for an employee who suffers a work-related injury.
There are three important exceptions that might apply to your case:
1. If an employee rejects workers' compensation coverage before their injury occurs, the employee retains their right to pursue a civil lawsuit against FedEx.
2. If an employee is injured through the "willful misconduct" of FedEx, the injured employee can typically file a civil lawsuit against the employer.
3. If the employee's injury was caused by a third-party (someone other than the employer or a colleague), the employee can file a workers' compensation claim and sue the third-party.
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Insurance Requirement
FedEx is required to carry workers' compensation for its 400,000 full and part-time employees. This means that if you're injured on the job, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits.
However, not all injuries are covered by workers' compensation. For example, if you have a heart attack while delivering a package due to high cholesterol, you probably won't receive workers' compensation benefits because your heart attack did not necessarily arise out of your employment.
To receive workers' compensation benefits, your injury must be covered under the workers' compensation statute in your state. The statute will determine whether or not your injury is considered to have arisen out of your employment.
Here are some items that are not covered or have limitations on coverage:
- Artwork, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures
- Photos and film
- Glassware
- Jewelry
- Furs
- Precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum
- Plasma screens
- Antiques
- Stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents such as stamps, traveler’s checks, and money orders
- Collectibles, such as coins or memorabilia
- Some musical instruments
- Models, such as dollhouses
These items may be limited to a maximum declared value of up to $1,000. It's essential to verify which items are not covered or have limitations on coverage when using FedEx or any other carrier.
What Workers' Compensation Covers
Workers' compensation covers a range of benefits for injured workers, including reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage loss benefits, and death benefits for certain dependents. This coverage is available in most states.
Medical expenses covered under workers' compensation include doctor visits, hospital bills, prescriptions, and physical therapy. These expenses are typically covered without requiring the injured worker to pay out-of-pocket.
Wage loss benefits are calculated based on the nature of the injury, with the amount received generally being ⅔ of the injured worker's average weekly wages, subject to a statutory maximum.
Here are the types of workers' compensation benefits available:
- Reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Wage loss benefits
- Death benefits for certain dependents
Workers' compensation also covers both traumatic work injuries and occupational work injuries, which can occur suddenly or over time, respectively.
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What Workers' Compensation Provides
Workers' compensation provides a range of benefits to injured workers, including reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage loss benefits, and death benefits for certain dependents.
Medical expenses cover doctor visits, hospital bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more. These expenses are typically covered in full, without any out-of-pocket costs for the worker.
Wage loss benefits are calculated based on the worker's average weekly wages and the nature of their injury. If the worker can't work, they'll receive ⅔ of their average weekly wages, up to a statutory maximum.
If the worker can return to work but can't do their previous job, they'll receive ⅔ of the difference in their average weekly wages, also up to a statutory maximum.
Workers' compensation checks are tax-free, which means workers won't have to worry about paying taxes on their benefits.
Traumatic work injuries, which occur as a result of a single accident, and occupational injuries, which occur over time due to repetitive movements, are both covered under workers' compensation.
Here's a breakdown of the types of injuries covered:
- Traumatic work injuries: one-time accidents at work, such as a back injury while loading a package onto a delivery truck.
- Occupational injuries: repetitive movement injuries that occur over a period of time.
Steps After a Work-Related Injury
After a work-related injury, it's essential to take the right steps to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Reporting your injury to your employer is a crucial first step, and you typically have a certain number of days to do so in writing.
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You'll need to provide your employer with written notice of your injury, and it's a good idea to keep a record of this notification. If you're unsure how many days you have to report your injury, consider reaching out to an experienced workers' compensation attorney or your local workers' compensation agency for guidance.
Seeking medical care is also a top priority after a work-related injury. In most states, FedEx selects your treating physician, but in a medical emergency, you can typically seek treatment from any medical professional and still receive coverage.
You'll need to wait for FedEx to file an insurance claim, which they're responsible for doing once you provide them with written notice of your injury. If they refuse to file a claim, contact a workers' compensation attorney or your local workers' compensation agency for assistance.
The workers' compensation insurer must make a decision on your claim within a certain time period, which varies depending on your state. If your claim is denied, it's likely because the insurance company didn't believe the injury was work-related or there was a lack of information concerning the injury.
If your claim is denied, it's essential to talk to an attorney, as all states have some type of appeal process. Consider hiring an experienced workers' compensation attorney to handle your appeal and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Here are the 5 common steps to take after a work-related injury at FedEx:
- Report your injury in writing to your employer within a certain number of days.
- Seek medical care from a treating physician selected by FedEx, or any medical professional in a medical emergency.
- Wait for FedEx to file an insurance claim with their workers' compensation insurer.
- Wait for a decision from the insurer, which must be made within a certain time period.
- Denied? Talk to an attorney to handle your appeal and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Claim
Filing a claim with FedEx can be a straightforward process, but it's essential to understand the requirements and deadlines to ensure a smooth experience.
You can file a claim online, by email, or by fax, depending on the type of claim and the location of the shipment.
To file a claim online, log in to your FedEx account and choose the 'File a claim' option from the support tab.
You'll need to enter your tracking/PRO number and select your claim type, add supporting documents, review your form, and submit the claim.
Filing a claim online allows you to get updates on your claim easily via email.
If you're making a claim for damage, keep all packing materials, including the box and packing contents, handy as FedEx might ask to inspect the items.
FedEx Express requires that damaged or lost package claims be made within 60 days after the shipment is sent.
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For international packages, claims must be made within 21 days.
FedEx Ground claims have a nine-month window from the delivery date, but if the item is lost or missing, it must be reported within 60 days.
Here's a summary of the claim deadlines:
If you make the claim outside the designated time frame, FedEx won't investigate the claim.
After a claim is made, FedEx claim resolution is fairly quick and usually completed within a week.
Once a claim is approved, reimbursement for the declared value is sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to claim insurance from FedEx?
To file a claim with FedEx, go online and provide your tracking/PRO number and any supporting documentation, such as photos or receipts, to initiate the process.
How much will FedEx reimburse for a lost package?
For lost packages, FedEx will reimburse up to $100 of value, with the first $100 covered at no extra charge as part of our standard shipping rate
How much does FedEx pay for a claim?
Up to $100 per package is reimbursed for approved claims, plus any shipping charges invoiced and paid
Sources
- https://www.enjuris.com/workplace-injury/workers-compensation-for-fedex-employees/
- https://shipware.com/blog/fedex-shipping-insurance-a-comprehensive-guide/
- https://www.lateshipment.com/blog/fedex-claims-for-late-deliveries/
- https://demayolaw.com/faqs/how-to-file-a-claim-after-a-fedex-truck-accident/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/fedex-missing-package
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