Warehouse jobs keep Northeastern Pennsylvania moving; but they also carry serious risks. Employees at large fulfillment centers, including Chewy warehouse facilities, often face demanding workloads, repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, fast-paced quotas, and constant machine interaction. When injuries happen, workers are left asking the same questions:
Who pays for medical care? Can I still work? Do I need a lawyer?
If you sustained a Chewy warehouse work injury in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, knowing your legal rights early can make the difference between a smooth recovery and a costly mistake.
Common Chewy Warehouse Injuries in NEPA
Warehouse injuries are rarely “minor,” even when they first seem that way. In high-volume facilities like Chewy distribution centers, workers commonly suffer:
- Back and Shoulder Injuries
Heavy lifting, awkward pallet positions, and repetitive motion often lead to herniated discs, torn rotator cuffs, and chronic back pain.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
Fast picking and packing cycles can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or chronic nerve damage; especially when breaks are skipped or productivity quotas increase.
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, icy loading docks, poor lighting, or cluttered aisles are frequent causes of serious falls.
- Forklift and Equipment Accidents
Collisions, crushed limbs, and struck-by injuries involving pallet jacks, forklifts, and conveyor systems are among the most severe.
- Head and Neck Injuries
Falling inventory or unguarded equipment can result in concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
These injuries can sideline workers for weeks; or permanently; especially if not documented and treated properly from day one.
What To Do After a Chewy Warehouse Work Injury
If you’ve been injured at a Chewy facility in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, or the surrounding NEPA area, take these steps immediately:
- Report the injury right away
Even if it feels small, report it in writing to a supervisor or HR. - Seek medical treatment immediately
Delaying care can be used against you later. - Document everything
Photos, witnesses, time logs, and job duties matter. - Do NOT assume HR is protecting your interests
Their job is to protect the company, not you. - Speak with a workers’ compensation attorney
Especially before signing paperwork or accepting restricted duty.
Workers’ Compensation for Chewy Warehouse Injuries
In Pennsylvania, most Chewy warehouse injuries fall under workers’ compensation law. This system provides benefits regardless of fault; but insurance companies aggressively limit payouts.
Workers’ comp may cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (partial wage replacement)
- Permanent disability benefits
- Specific loss benefits
- Death benefits for families
However, workers often encounter problems such as:
- Injury claims being delayed or denied
- Pressure to return to work too soon
- Forced light-duty assignments
- Surveillance or claim challenges
An experienced Scranton or Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation attorney can step in to protect your claim and push back against these tactics.
Can You Sue Chewy for a Warehouse Work Injury?
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your employer. However, there are important exceptions.
You may have a separate personal injury claim if:
- A third-party contractor caused the injury
- Defective equipment was involved
- A forklift or machine malfunctioned
- Property maintenance was performed by an outside company
This is especially important in large warehouse operations where vendors, contractors, and equipment manufacturers are often involved.
A skilled work injury attorney can review whether a third-party lawsuit is available alongside your workers’ comp claim; potentially increasing your recovery significantly.
Why Chewy Warehouse Injury Claims Are Often Contested
Large distribution companies run on efficiency metrics. Unfortunately, injured workers often become “numbers” in the system.
Common problems injured Chewy workers report:
- Injury reports being “lost”
- Being labeled as non-work-related injuries
- Being disciplined for productivity after injury
- Pressure to decline medical care
- Retaliation fears
If any of this sounds familiar, legal representation is critical.
Pennsylvania law prohibits retaliation for reporting a workplace injury; but those protections mean little without enforcement.
Why You Should Talk to a Scranton or Wilkes-Barre Work Injury Attorney
Workers’ comp cases look simple on paper; but they are heavily tilted in favor of insurers and employers.
A local Scranton or Wilkes-Barre attorney brings distinct advantages:
- Familiarity with NEPA medical providers and IME doctors
- Knowledge of local judges and workers’ comp procedures
- Experience handling warehouse injury claims
- Understanding of union vs. non-union job issues
- Ability to explore third-party liability
Most importantly, an attorney ensures you do not leave money or benefits on the table.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In Pennsylvania:
- Workplace injuries must be reported within 21 days for full benefits
- Absolute deadline to report is 120 days
- Workers’ comp claims generally have a 3-year statute of limitations
Waiting too long is one of the biggest mistakes injured warehouse workers make.
What Compensation Could Be Available?
Depending on your injury, you may be entitled to:
- Ongoing medical care
- Wage loss benefits
- Permanent impairment compensation
- Vocational retraining
- Lump sum settlements
If negligence by a third party is involved, damages may include pain and suffering, which workers’ comp does not cover.
Injured at a Chewy Warehouse in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre? Get Legal Help
If you were hurt working at a Chewy warehouse in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, or anywhere in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you don’t have to navigate the system alone.
An experienced warehouse injury attorney can:
- Protect your workers’ compensation claim
- Push back against insurance pressure
- Investigate third-party liability
- Fight denied or delayed benefits
- Help you recover financially while you heal
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
