The work of a last mile USPS worker is fraught with numerous risks, and it can be challenging to carry large packages and boxes from vans to porches, steps or up flights of stairs in order to get them to your typical customer. American shopping habits have evolved over the years, and more and more people are opting to purchase big ticket items online, making the work of your average USPS last mile worker challenging. No matter how physically fit you are, you’re going to come across that package that makes your knees buckle and puts a strain on your back, making it more likely that you might drop the package as you lug it to a customer’s doorstep.

A crush injury refers to a traumatic injury which occurs when a limb or any other body part is compressed between two powerful or heavy objects. The powerful and often prolonged forces placed on the body part can lead to severe and catastrophic damage to bones, tissue and even internal organs. Thanks to FECA, a piece of legislation which lays out the compensation process for injured federal workers, postal workers may be able to recover compensation if they sustain crush injuries. That said, just because this law or program exists doesn’t mean that it will be easy to recover compensation.

The postal workers injury compensation program is often crisscrossed by red tape and bureaucracy, and delays are the name of the game. In addition, those who represent themselves often find their claims denied, wasting precious time as they battle with the fallout of their injuries. This is perhaps the most important reason why seeking out the services of an experienced postal worker injury attorney is vital, and we’re here to help with that.

Get experienced legal help

Are you looking for a USPS federal workers’ compensation attorney? For over 25 years, the experienced federal workers’ compensation lawyers at McCready Law have helped thousands of injured federal worker get, keep and increase their benefits after getting injured on the job. USPS workers are often pushed to the limit when it comes to work performance, making it more likely that they will suffer injuries. We serve injured USPS workers countrywide, and we run a bilingual office. If you’d like to speak with one of our experienced injured USPS worker attorneys, please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more – your first consultation is 100% FREE. 

How the Crush Injuries occur?

Here are how crush injuries occur for USPS last mile workers:

1. Loading and unloading vehicles presents an opportunity for injury due to the fact that one must move heavy and bulky packages in tight spaces. These areas often feature tight spaces in which one can get stuck, such as the garage door or wall, making them drop the package or item on their feet. In addition, packages which haven’t been well positioned on the van may fall while the USPS worker has their back turned, striking them anywhere on their body. 
2. USPS last mile workers may also need to walk around crowded sidewalks, narrow alleys, apartment building steps and cramped living quarters in order to deliver packages. These tight spaces might make a worker lose their step or let go of a package in order to maneuver their body, only to have something fall on them or getting crushed against fences or walls. 
3. Many times, USPS last mile workers park near other vehicles, or may have to pack their vans at the head of a particular street or cul-de-sac. Sudden vehicle movements such as another car backing up operated by a distracted driver can lead to crush injuries if you as an USPS worker are caught in the path of these vehicles, or your own for that matter as it pulls away.
4. Structural failures happen with increasing frequency due to the advanced age of many American homes. It is not uncommon for porches, stairs, awnings and other building elements to suffer structural failures and come crashing down over a USPS last mile worker’s head or under their feet. This can lead to entrapment or having hundreds of pounds of building material fall on one’s body, leading to catastrophic crush injuries.

Common Complications Associated with Crush Injuries

Some of the complications associated with crush injuries include the following:

1. Severe tissue damage as a result of the physical trauma, where the nerves, muscles, skin and internal organs are affected. Impaired mobility, catastrophic health complications and chronic pain may follow this type of injury 
2. Bone fractures are common complications of crush injuries where bones can literally shatter due to the mass of the object, and amputations may occur if the injury was so severe or the object featured sharp or metallic edges 
3. Respiratory and circulatory issues may also develop in case the USPS worker became entrapped by a falling object, or trapped between a wall or fence for an extended amount of time, impairing their breathing and blood flow.
4. The pressure and swelling associated with this type of injury can lead to a phenomenon known as compartment syndrome, which refers to elevated pressure within a muscle compartment, which can potentially cut off one’s blood supply leading to muscle and nerve damage. 

Treatment for Crush Injuries – Injured Postal Worker Compensation

Treatment for crush injuries involves stabilizing the affected individual. This typically starts by removing the patient from the accident site very carefully in order to prevent additional harm. Treatment is provided at the site, and this could include stopping any bleeding, placing limbs in wooden structures, securing the head and neck using braces and so on. Surgery may be needed to mitigate crush injury damage, and physicians may place screws, plates and other fixation devices in order to realign and stabilize any broken bones. In addition, the affected area may be plastically reconstructed, and tissue debridement or removal may occur. If an arm or leg is so severely damaged, it may need to be amputated in order to save the USPS worker’s life. Wound care and dressing may also occur for those that suffered complex wounds, and pain management and rehabilitation via the prescription of certain pain medications as well as the injection of nerve blocks will all help the injured individual manage the discomfort they will feel as they get on the road to recovery.

Experienced USPS Injured Worker Attorneys – Call Us Today!

We understand that this may be a difficult time for you, and the last thing on your mind is fighting legal battles as you try to heal from your painful injuries. Our USPS injured worker attorneys will handle every aspect of your claim, and you won’t have to lift a finger – we will liaise with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for you, ensure that all your forms are appropriately filled, refer you to an OWCP-conversant physician, and so much more. Please, give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 so we can assess your potential claim and advise further regarding its viability as well as what it could potentially be worth. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.