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Press Release: Plaintiffs in Palmer V. Amazon revive safety claims in Second Circuit Victory

News Abuses of Corporate Power COVID-19

For Immediate Release

Today, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals revived Amazon workersโ€™ COVID-19 safety claims at its JFK8 facility in Staten Island.

Derrick Palmer, a plaintiff in the case, released the following statement:

โ€œIโ€™m thrilled the Court agreed that I and other Amazon workers in New York have the right to demand basic workplace protections. We will continue the fight to ensure that we donโ€™t have to fear for our safety at work โ€“ due to COVID-19 or anything elseโ€

The legal team representing the workers and members of their households released the following statement in response to todayโ€™s decision:

โ€œThe Second Circuit correctly rejected the district courtโ€™s dismissal of our clientsโ€™ claims, upholding their right to move forward to ensure a safe workplace at the JFK8 facility.

โ€œTodayโ€™s decision sends a strong message to Amazon and other employers that companies have a duty to provide a safe workplace for their employees. As Amazon workers approach the grueling holiday peak season, this ruling affirms their power to vindicate their rights through the court and hold employers like Amazon accountable for maintaining their safety practices.

โ€œSince we filed this suit two years ago, Amazon workers continue to face threats to their health and safety โ€“ from the COVID-19 pandemic to fires to large-scale natural disasters to brutal work quotas. Despite these dangers, Amazon continues to operate its business as usual, placing profit over peopleโ€™s lives.

โ€œWe are proud to represent the brave workers in this case as they continue to stand up to Amazon and demand policies that protect them and their communities.โ€

-The legal team in Palmer v. Amazon: Make the Road New York, Public Justice, Terrell Marshall Law Group, and Towards Justice

Contact: Lucy Sears
(240) 676-4499 | lsears@publicjustice.net

Related Litigation

Protecting Supply Chain Workers during COVID-19: Derrick Palmer, et al. v. Amazon.com, Inc., et al

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