Defending Your Custody Agreement: Protecting Your Education Choices

What To Do If You're Hurt While Delivering The Mail

22 September 2015 by Daryl Young

Postal workers are some of the most dedicated employees in the country, expected to work in extreme weather conditions and to deliver their mail no matter what. Even so, that doesn't mean if you get hurt you don't have rights. If you've gotten hurt while delivering mail, whether it's due to falling, being attacked by a dog, or in some other way, follow these steps to make sure you're getting all the benefits you deserve.

Alert The U.S. Department of Labor

As soon as you're injured, alert your boss and the department of labor. If your injury is serious, request emergency leave to see your doctor the same day. If you feel like you can complete your work for the day, go ahead, but make sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.

See a Doctor

Having your doctor appraise your injury is one of the most important steps after you've been hurt. Ask your doctor to take thorough notes and give you a copy so you can submit their notes with your claim to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Submitting Your Claim

As soon as you're done seeing your doctor, begin the process of submitting an injury claim to the U.S. Department of Labor. Thankfully, with proof you were injured on the job due to no fault of your own, the U.S. Department of Labor will cover your doctor's diagnostic fees, as well as the cost of treatment, physical therapy, surgery, and whatever else is needed to get you back on your feet. In addition, you can take paid leave while you recuperate, so you don't need to worry about your bank account while you recover.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

You should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer as well. Chances are if you were hurt while delivering mail, there's a strong likelihood that either the city you were in or the owner of the property you were on has a hand in the injury. Perhaps the ground was uneven, a tree branch had fallen, or a dog was only able to hurt you because it wasn't properly tethered in its yard. 

Personal injury lawyers, like one from Walz Law Office, can pursue the city or property owner to get a monetary settlement for you. This may be particularly helpful, as while you shouldn't have to worry about any of your medical bills, the U.S. Department of Labor will only compensate you for 45 days of sick leave. After that, you will either be paid a reduced rate or not at all, so a settlement can help to support you while you're unable to work.

Thankfully, as a federal employee, you have a really good support system built-in to your job to help you if you're injured. Follow these steps to take full advantage of their support and to get the additional monetary help you need.

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