If you are a postal worker who has been injured on the job, you may be legally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when you can prove you suffered a job-related injury. The legal process is not always easy. Contact Sarphie Law to learn more about your options.
Postal Work Is a Demanding and Physical Job
Working for the United States Postal Service is extremely taxing physically, no matter the job function. If you are delivering mail, you are walking to and from throughout the day. Those sorting mail are often standing on their feet, lifting heavy boxes, and pushing large containers. Postal service workers have an injury and illness rate that approaches 7% each year. There are countless USPS employees, both permanent and non-permanent, who end up filing workers’ compensation claims each year. The sheer number of claims may lead to bias on the part of the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation.
Common Injuries and Accidents for USPS Employees
USPS employees can suffer injuries in numerous types of accidents, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Mail carriers spend much of their day on the road making deliveries.
- Dog bites: USPS employees walk onto private property countless times each day and may be attacked by pets.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: USPS employees, working in both mail sorting facilities and in making deliveries, can fall on slippery or uneven surfaces.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries: Mail sorters and carriers, who make the same motion many times each day, may suffer from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Jobs that require continued physical labor often result in serious neck or back injuries that restrict mobility and keep workers from being able to properly move or lift.
Why USPS Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Difficult
To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you would need to file a claim with a division in the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). In general, federal workers’ compensation claims have a very low initial approval rate, with some reports placing this rate as low as 5%.
One reason the approval rate is so low is that USPS claims make up a large proportion of the total number of claims filed with OWCP. This office can be very strict in general, and there is often a greater degree of scrutiny for postal worker claims. At the same time, some postal workers try to handle their own claims and may not submit the strongest file or narrative.
Alternatives to Workers’ Comp for Postal Workers
More than many other government employees, postal workers are off of federal government premises and encounter third parties throughout the course of their day. They may be able to sue a third party for the injuries they have suffered. For example, if a postal worker was injured in a traffic accident with a private driver, they may be able to sue the motorist. The same is true if they were bitten by a dog or were injured in a slip and fall accident on private property.
Contact a USPS Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Sarphie Law fights for the rights of injured postal workers when they have been hurt on the job. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. You can message us through our website or call us today at 833-635-2667 to speak with a lawyer.
