Slips, trips, and falls may not seem like incidents that cause serious injuries, but people can be catastrophically injured from a fall. In fact, one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as a head injury or bone fracture. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, which can have lasting impact on a person’s life.
If you fell and were injured, it may be unclear what you can do to pay for your medical bills and cover your lost wages and other financial burden from the injury. We welcome you to contact Uliase & Uliase at 856-310-9002 for a free, no-obligation consultation. A member of our team will explain your options and the next steps toward seeking compensation.
Fall Injuries Among USPS Mail Workers
USPS mail carriers often park their vehicles and walk multiple streets to deliver mail. They must navigate a variety of terrain, walkways, steps, and more with heavy bags and packages, making them susceptible to fall injuries.
All employees of the United States Postal Service are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which is where they must file a claim to seek compensation for a slip and fall injury. For any injury caused a third party, claimants must pursue the person responsible – known as the third party – to attempt to recover compensation for their damages. They must also report any financial recovery to determine whether a portion of that money will need to reimburse the United States for the FECA benefits paid to cover the injury. A claim for compensation must be filed within three years of the date of injury. However, federal employees only have 30 days to file form CA1, Notice of Traumatic Injury to seek workers’ compensation.
If you were injured, it may be unclear how to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Hiring an experienced lawyer can ensure you pursue the right avenue for compensation and that the process goes smoothly. Contact Uliase & Uliase at 856-310-9002 to discuss your situation. We never collect a fee unless we recover money for our client.
Common Causes of Falls
Mail carriers are particularly vulnerable to slip and fall incidents caused by snow and icy conditions. That’s why in 2019, the U.S. Postal Service asked for customers’ cooperation in keeping mailboxes, steps, and sidewalks clear of snow and ice through the wintertime to help mail carriers do their jobs more safely.
Besides weather-related hazards, common causes of slips, trips, and falls for anyone include:
- Broken stairs and handrails
- Damaged walkways and those covered in debris
- Wet or slick floors, stairs, and walkways with no warning signs
Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe from hazards. That means making necessary repairs, removing snow and debris, and warning about hazards before they can be fixed or removed. Failure to do so can lead someone to suffer a serious injury, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury and/or head injury
- Spinal cord, back, and neck injuries
- Broken bones and hip injuries
- Internal bleeding and severe bruising
If you fell and suffered an injury, seek medical attention right away. Even if the injury seems minor, the resulting pain can increase in severity with time without immediate professional medical treatment. Getting medical attention is also an important step in successfully recovering compensation for your injuries, as that documentation will be important evidence when you file a claim. After receiving medical care, it’s helpful to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get on the right track toward getting compensation for your injuries.
Contact Uliase & Uliase
The attorneys at Uliase & Uliase handle all types of slip, trip, and fall cases, including those involving USPS mail carriers and other federal employees who suffered injuries while working. We welcome you to contact Uliase & Uliase at 856-310-9002 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss what happened and how we can help you move forward.