Working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) is physically demanding and taxing work, regardless of the position. USPS employees play an important role in our everyday lives, spending several hours a day on their feet lifting heavy boxes and pushing containers. Postal workers also spend many hours a day behind the wheel and delivering mail from door to door.
Whether postal service workers are injured in the post office, behind the wheel of a mail truck, or on somebody’s property, Sarphie Law is available to provide expert legal assistance to those interested in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. Contact us today to see if you are eligible for a federal workers’ compensation claim.
At Sarphie Law, we take great pride in helping injured federal employees receive the medical treatment and compensation they need to improve their quality of life. With over 20 years of experience, federal employees can trust Daren Sarphie and the team at Sarphie Law to handle their federal workers’ compensation claims with confidence and care.
Which Postal Service Workers Are Eligible for a Federal Workers’ Compensation Claim?
The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) provides wage replacement and medical benefits to all employees of the USPS who have been injured on the job. The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will ultimately determine whether or not an injured employee is entitled to benefits. USPS employees who suffered an injury or illness as a result of their job and are eligible for benefits can receive compensation for:
- Lost wages: Employees who have been injured on the job and have been forced to miss extended time at work may receive compensation for wages they were unable to earn in their absence.
- Medical care: USPS workers who have suffered an injury or developed an illness as a direct result of their job-related duties may be compensated for their medical treatment, hospital stays, and more.
- Vocational rehabilitation: If your injuries or disabilities have left you unable to perform your previous duties and tasks, vocational rehabilitation can help you reenter the workforce by providing training in new roles.
All USPS employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under FECA. Some examples of USPS positions that are commonly involved in federal workers’ compensation claims include:
- Mail carriers: Carriers may be injured in a number of different ways while delivering mail door to door. Whether they are involved in an auto accident or they are bitten by a negligent homeowner’s dog while delivering mail, compensation is available to carriers who have been injured while performing their job-related duties.
- Mail handlers: USPS employees working in the processing facilities may incur injuries while handling and sorting mail. Compensation is available for mail handlers or processors who have been injured unloading a mail truck or performing other tasks within the facility
- Mail clerks: Clerks also assist in organizing and distributing mail and can suffer many of the same injuries that a handler or processor likely would.
- Maintenance workers: Automotive mechanics and technicians are responsible for performing routine repairs and maintenance on all USPS vehicles and equipment.
- Administrative employees: Workers’ compensation benefits are not only for those delivering mail or working in a post office. Employees working in accounting and finance, sales, corporate communications, human resources, IT, and more can all receive compensation for injuries sustained on the job.
It is important to remember that FECA will only allow benefits for those who have suffered an injury or illness as a direct result of their job. If you are a USPS worker who has been injured on the job, Sarphie Law is here to help you file a federal workers’ compensation claim, guide you through the appeals process, and even represent you in court if needed. Contact Sarphie Law today for legal assistance with your federal workers’ compensation case.
Common Injuries and Accidents for USPS Employees
There are a wide range of roles and positions available within the USPS, each with its own unique set of risks and hazards that workers may face while on the job. Daren Sarphie and the team at Sarphie Law have over two decades of experience handling all kinds of workers’ compensation claims. In USPS workers’ compensation claims, some of the most common injuries and accidents that we see include:
- Auto accidents: Between 2016 and 2020, there were over 450,000 accidents, 32% of which were motor vehicle accidents. Mail carriers who spend hours a day behind the wheel of a mail truck are at risk of being involved in a traffic collision, whether with another vehicle, motorist, or pedestrian. Depending on the severity, auto accidents can result in sprains and strains, broken and fractured bones, brain injuries, and more.
- Dog bites and animal attacks: Another incident that mail carriers often have to be weary of is aggressive animals on a homeowner’s property. In 2023, the USPS reported over 5,800 incidents of dog attacks on mail carriers. A dog attack can be classified as either biting, aggressively rushing, or harassing another person, resulting in injuries.
- Slip and fall: USPS workers of all kinds are prone to slip and fall accidents. Carriers walking on icy or snowy sidewalks or handlers working in a processing facility with wet floors can easily slip and suffer an injury at work. Injuries from a slip-and-fall accident can range from a minor injury like a sprained ankle to traumatic brain injuries.
- Back and neck injuries: Long hours spent on your feet, lifting heavy objects, and loading and unloading mail trucks can cause serious strain on your neck and back.
- Repetitive stress injuries: All USPS workers are susceptible to repetitive stress or repetitive strain injuries. Repeating the same motion over and over again can cause serious stress on your joints and tendons, causing Carpal tunnel syndrome and muscle weakness.
These are just a few examples of some of the many injuries that USPS workers may experience while performing tasks related to their job. If you have experienced any of these or other injuries as a result of a work-related accident, contact Sarphie Law to discuss your case and see if you are eligible to file a federal workers’ compensation claim. Our team has been helping injured USPS and federal workers recover compensation for their lost wages and medical bills for years, and we may be able to help you too.
What Is FECA?
FECA, or the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, is a federal law stating that federal employees who have been injured or suffered an illness as a result of their job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This provides an avenue for federal workers to seek compensation under FECA rather than through their state’s workers’ compensation programs.
FECA benefits are available for USPS employees of all types. This includes part-time, full-time, and temporary employees in all positions. FECA provides benefits such as:
- Medical care: This includes hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and more.
- Wage replacement: A Continuation of Pay (COP) for 45 days after the date of the accident will be awarded to the injured workers.
- Disability compensation: Injured federal workers can receive compensation for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and permanent disabilities.
- Vocational rehabilitation: Employees who are unable to return to their previous role because of their injuries could receive training and assistance with job placement to help them comfortably reenter the workforce.
How Is FECA Different from State Programs?
Both federal and state workers’ compensation laws aim to compensate injured workers for medical care, lost wages, and more. However, there are some key differences between the two. Federal workers are required to seek benefits through FECA and are unable to file through their state’s programs. Some of the other central differences between FECA and state programs include:
- Coverage: State workers’ compensation programs are intended for state employees and those working in the private sector, while FECA is designed specifically for federal employees.
- Healthcare providers: An experienced attorney will be able to ensure that you are able to work with your own doctor under FECA, whereas state programs require injured workers to use employer-approved doctors.
- Disability payments: Permanent disability payments are calculated based on a federal schedule under FECA. On the other hand, disability payments vary state to state when using state programs.
- Litigation: In some cases, state programs will allow injured workers to sue their employer following an accident. However, federal workers are not able to sue the USPS and must rely solely on the benefits provided to recover from their injury or illness.
FECA offers a number of benefits to federal workers who have been injured or fallen ill as a result of their job. Daren Sarphie and the team at Sarphie Law are available to help injured federal workers recover compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and more. For more information about FECA and how our attorneys can help you file a claim with the OWCP, contact us today and schedule your free case review.
How Can a Federal Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help Injured USPS Workers?
USPS workers’ compensation claims can be difficult. In general, federal workers’ compensation claims have a very low initial approval rate, with some reports placing this rate as low as 5%. USPS claims account for a large percentage of workers’ compensation claims filed within the OWCP, filing nearly ⅔ of all claims among federal workers. By consulting with a qualified federal workers’ compensation attorney like Daren Sarphie, you can maximize your chances at securing a fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries or illnesses.
At Sarphie Law, we offer a free consultation for injured federal workers. We want to assess your case, identify any possible challenges, and understand your needs. We keep an open line of communication with our clients so that you can stay informed about your case every step of the way. Most importantly, our team gets results. We have a winning history of helping injured workers in the state of Louisiana and beyond recover compensation after a work-related accident. Don’t just take our word for it, though; see the results for yourself.
Contact Sarphie Law Today for Help With Your Federal Workers’ Compensation Claim
Daren Sarphie and Sarphie Law have decades of experience successfully representing injured workers in federal workers’ compensation claims. We recognize the highly important roles that postal service workers play in our communities and throughout our country, and we take great pride in helping them recover the compensation that they rightfully deserve after a workplace accident.
We provide legal assistance to all USPS employees, regardless of your position or your cause of injury or illness. Our firm handles federal workers’ compensation claims in the state of Louisiana and nationwide. If you have suffered an injury or illness as a result of your work in the USPS, contact Sarphie Law today to discuss your case. We offer a free and confidential case review for federal employees navigating the workers’ compensation process.
With Sarphie Law, you have an experienced and compassionate legal professional by your side. Call us today or contact us online to request a free review of your case and see why federal employees trust Daren Sarphie to handle their workers’ compensation claims time and again.
