Postal workers work under tight deadlines, and many have high-stress jobs. Because of this, they are at risk of injury.
Postal workers who experience on-the-job injuries may be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation helps pay for a portion of an injured employee’s lost wages and all medical bills related to the workplace injury. However, sometimes it is necessary for postal workers who have been hurt at work to retain the services of a lawyer if their circumstances are complex or their initial claim is denied.
Some common types of postal worker injuries include:
- Animal bites: Many postal workers walk through neighborhoods to deliver mail and packages. Both domesticated and feral animals — typically dogs — can attack postal workers. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Postal Service, around 6,000 postal workers report being attacked by dogs annually. Animal bites can be dangerous because they can involve both physical damage and the possibility of disease. Plus, they can lead to psychological trauma, like PTSD.
- Strains and overexertion injuries: Many postal workers undergo repetitive motions throughout the day. For example, an employee might spend hours lifting and stacking packages. Any repetitive motion can strain muscles and ligaments, leading to short-term and long-term medical problems in the joints, back, or hands.
- Motor vehicle accident injuries: Each day, postal workers drive their trucks around the streets of small and large cities. This puts them at risk of being injured in crashes. Typical injuries from these types of accidents are broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, bruises, organ damage, and crushed limbs.
- Slip and fall injuries: It is not unusual for postal workers to submit workers’ compensation claims for injuries associated with falling. For instance, a postal worker may easily slip on an icy sidewalk, an uneven walking path, or even unmaintained residential stairs.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident?
A postal worker who experiences an on-the-job injury can file a federal workers’ compensation claim. Some tips for filing a claim include:
- Tell a manager or supervisor about the accident verbally and in writing as soon as possible to establish documentation of where, when, and how the incident occurred.
- Get medical attention and acquire a copy of the doctor’s diagnosis to support the claim that the injuries happened at work.
- Ask for paperwork to get the process started quickly.
- Follow all internal procedures for reporting accidents.
- Get the help of a lawyer if the injury is extensive or an initial claim is denied.
West Chester Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Injured Postal Workers
Filing a workers’ compensation claim for an injury sustained while you were working as a postal employee can be overwhelming. If your case is complicated or your initial claim was denied, speak with our West Chester workers’ compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC. Call us at 610-594-1600 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation. Located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.