Being a postal employee is a demanding job. You might be a mail carrier walking long routes, a handler sorting packages, or a clerk moving heavy containers. Since the United States Postal Service (USPS) is one of the biggest employers in the country, it makes sense that work-related injuries happen often. If you get hurt on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under a law called the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, or FECA.
This system is run by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Going through the process to get your benefits can feel complicated, but understanding how it works can make a huge difference in getting the payment and medical coverage you need.
The Most Common Injuries That Qualify for Compensation
Workers who deliver mail or process packages face physical dangers every single day. The tasks are often highly repetitive or expose you to immediate, unexpected risks.
For example, Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) are a big problem. Carriers often carry mailbags on the same shoulder, and handlers use the same motions to sort and lift shift after shift. This repetition and exertion can harm your body’s muscles and nerves over time, leading to back, shoulder, and rotator cuff injuries, or conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other common injuries come from sudden accidents:
- Dog Bites: Postal workers face dog attacks often. According to reports, approximately 6,000 employees are attacked by dogs across the nation each year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20 percent of those attacks are serious enough to require professional medical treatment or even reconstructive surgery. Los Angeles is unfortunately among the top cities for these incidents.
- Slip-and-Fall Injuries: Carriers are constantly outside covering ground in every kind of weather. Wet sidewalks, icy steps, uneven pavement, and potholed streets can lead to sprains, fractures, or concussions in an instant. This also includes poorly maintained stairs at residences, businesses, or even the Post Office itself.
- Vehicle Accidents: Workers who drive trucks on rural or suburban routes are on the road for long periods. They are at the mercy of other drivers and poor weather or road conditions, increasing their chance of collisions that can result in broken bones or spinal damage.
- Weather Exposure: Working in extreme heat or cold means postal employees can suffer from heat exhaustion, frostbite, or hypothermia.
If you document these injuries correctly, they should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Injuries That May Not Be Covered
While many work-related injuries are covered by FECA, there are some conditions that the OWCP may not approve unless you can show specific facts.
If you have a pre-existing condition, such as an old back injury, you must prove that your duties at work actively made the condition worse or aggravated it. Injuries that happen off-duty are usually denied, unless the incident occurred while you were physically on company property before or after your shift.
Also, if an injury is caused by employee misconduct, the claim may be turned down. This includes getting hurt while violating safety rules, engaging in horseplay, or being impaired by drugs or alcohol. Finally, a small bruise or mild pain that does not require you to see a doctor may not be eligible for compensation because you must have clear medical documentation.
How to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
The claims process for federal employees has specific steps you must follow exactly to avoid delays or a denial. This is the process for going through a workers’ compensation claim:
- Report the Injury Right Away: You need to tell your supervisor as soon as possible and ask for an injury report. You will use the CA-1 form for a sudden, traumatic injury, or the CA-2 form for an occupational disease that developed over time, like carpal tunnel. You should file this notice immediately, though the claim has a three-year time limit. Failing to give notice quickly can affect your pay.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Visit an authorized Department of Labor (DOL) physician or healthcare provider. Make sure to document all visits, diagnoses, and treatments. The medical records are the most important piece of evidence.
- File Your Claim with OWCP: Submit your completed CA-1 or CA-2 form to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for their review. The claim must include medical evidence that clearly connects the injury or illness to your job.
- Follow Up and Appeal: The OWCP often requests more information. You must keep track of deadlines and quickly provide anything they ask for. If your claim is unfairly denied, you have the right to file an appeal with the OWCP. This is where having professional help can be crucial, as many workers win their appeals with the right guidance.
What Benefits Injured Employees Can Receive
When your claim is approved, you are entitled to several benefits that replace wages and cover medical costs. These benefits are paid by your employer, not your private insurance.
- Medical Expense Coverage: This pays for all costs related to your accepted injury, including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Wage Replacement: If your injury prevents you from working, you can receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. For traumatic injuries, you may receive Continuation of Pay (COP) for up to 45 days at your full rate. After that, or for occupational diseases, you receive compensation benefits that cover a percentage of your lost wages.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: If the injury causes a long-term disability, you may qualify for a permanent partial or total disability payment, which provides compensation for the permanent loss or loss of use of certain body parts.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: If your injury prevents you from going back to your old job, you may be eligible for job retraining or placement assistance to help you find suitable employment.
Get the Help You Need for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Getting hurt while working can be stressful, especially when you are worried about medical bills and lost pay. Workers’ compensation claims are detailed and often face delays or denials.
Do not try to go through this complex process alone. Having an experienced, knowledgeable federal workers’ compensation lawyer on your side is the best way to make sure your rights are upheld and you get the benefits you are owed under FECA.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We specialize in helping injured postal workers fight for their rights and get the full compensation they deserve. Call (323) 954-1800 to speak with a Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer.