Mail carriers face several possible dangers each day that include having to deal with man’s best friend. Dog bites represent one of the most common causes of injuries sustained by mail carriers, but another source of sustaining an injury while delivering mail is about as common, yet does not receive the same publicity.
We are talking about slip and fall incidents, which can happen just about anytime during a mail carrier’s hectic workday.
Unlike sustaining an injury as a result of a dog bite, discovering which party should be held responsible for a slip and fall incident is not as easy to do for mail carriers. Mail carriers that fall at a post office have a relatively clear-cut case for workers’ compensation since the accident unfolded at their place of employment. However, how does a mail carrier address a slip and fall incident that occurs at a business or on a residential property?
The answer is not as clear for a slip and fall accident that injures a mail carrier outside of a post office location. Even if the cause of a fall outside of a post office is apparent, a mail carrier’s best option to receive compensation involves filing a workers’ compensation claim with the United States Postal Service (USPS). Nonetheless, filing a workers’ compensation claim with the USPS does not mean a mail carrier cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against another party such as a business or the owner of a residential property. Filing a civil lawsuit against a private property owner can help the USPS recover the financial losses generated by paying a workers’ compensation claim.
If you are a mail carrier who fell and sustained one or more injuries while on the job, you should contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer at Morgan and Morgan. One of our highly-rated attorneys can help you determine how to proceed with your case, whether it concerns filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. Since 1988, Morgan and Morgan has represented clients, which include mail carriers, for cases involving both workers’ compensation and personal injury legal issues.
Schedule a free case evaluation with a workers’ compensation lawyer from Morgan and Morgan to determine how to proceed with your case.