USPS last-mile workers work relentlessly, ensuring your packages and mail get to you in a timely manner every single day. They have to traverse different neighborhoods and weather systems, and must be sufficiently healthy and fit to go up flights of stairs, walk up inclines and hills, as well as brave scorching sun or even chillingly cold temperatures.

For the most part, the work of a USPS last-mile worker is a thankless one, and it is sometimes compounded by work stress that originates from systemic bullying, harassment, and emotional abuse from their supervisors or fellow workers. The thing about psychological abuse or bullying is that it is insidious in nature, and as such, no singular event can be attributed to the deterioration of a USPS last-mile worker’s mental health.

The federal government, through the FECA legislation, makes it possible for all injured postal workers to receive compensation as long as they can substantiate their injury claim, whether physical or psychological, via objective medical records or assessments. Bullying and harassment can be difficult to prove, unlike a broken arm or head trauma, which shows up in imaging tests and, as such, might be difficult to have OWCP accept as a valid claim.

At McCready Law, we appreciate and understand the struggles one may face when it comes to establishing a compensable claim for non-physical injuries, and we’re here to break this topic down and demonstrate the tactics we use as a law firm to fight for the rights and compensation of all injured last mile USPS workers regardless of the nature of their injuries – read on to find out just exactly how we do this.

Are you looking for the best federal workers’ compensation attorney? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338   if you are an injured USPS last-mile worker who got hurt on the job and are looking to have your schedule award processed in the shortest amount of time possible. The experienced, aggressive, and compassionate federal workers’ compensation lawyers at McCready Law have helped thousands of injured USPS workers get compensated after suffering an on-the-job injury or developing a work-related health condition.

At McCready Law, we understand and empathize with the fact that you may not have the financial ability to hire a lawyer to help expedite your claim, which is why we are pleased to announce that we offer flexible monthly payment plans that we can discuss and come to an agreement on so you can start your federal workers’ compensation journey immediately without having to worry about lawyer’s fees.

We work closely with a team of experts in making sure your injuries and the circumstances surrounding them are appropriately investigated, and that your injuries demonstrate causation, with your medical report being robust and replete with objective medical evidence, demonstrating that your fall was indeed caused by an external factor beyond your control.

Additionally, our fees are reviewed by OPM to ensure they are not only reasonable but that they match industry standards. If you suffered a fall while on duty as a USPS last-mile worker, please give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation – our intake team is standing by.

Understanding USPS Last Mile Worker Psychological Injuries

Under OWCP, psychological injuries are often referred to as occupational diseases and are different from your run-of-the-mill physical injuries. Psychological injuries usually accumulate over time, and they chip at a worker’s mental health slowly but surely. Despite the fact that USPS last-mile workers have quite a bit of independence, they still have to work closely with supervisors when it comes to routes, quotas, and performance, and this is where the stress may come in.

Unfortunately, some supervisors cross the line with regard to this supervisory relationship and start verbally abusing, humiliating publicly and sabotaging as well and making unreasonable demands of the USPS worker. Before long, the worker may start to show signs of psychological damage such as panic attacks, severe anxiety, agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as well as constant vigilance. This, in turn, may impact their ability to show up as productive and efficient members of the USPS workforce.

Are Psychological Injuries Due to Bullying and Harassment Accepted by OWCP?

OWCP has stringent criteria when it comes to accepting psychological injury claims.

1. In order for your psychological claim to be compensable, the underlying stressor must have a factual basis. That is to say, the events you allege must have actually occurred and can be corroborated in an objective manner. Feeling bullied won’t cut it; you must demonstrate which supervisor’s actions were unreasonable and provide an account of what actually happened.
2. The stressor must also have occurred in the performance of duty. That is to say, the bullying or harassment must be connected to your employment, such as disciplinary actions, work-related criticism, and so on. Personal disputes or fights outside the scope of your employment will therefore not apply.

How You as a Bullied USPS Worker Can Help Prove Your Case

Keeping records of every instance of bullying or harassment will help substantiate your claim and even expedite it in some cases. As a top federal workers’ compensation law firm, we usually encourage our clients to include dates, times, and actions taken, such as being reprimanded, singled out, and so on, as well as the names and contact information of any potential witnesses that was around when the event occurred.

In addition, do not delete any written communications that may demonstrate an unreasonable or harassing pattern, such as memos, text messages, call records, or emails, as these will be crucial when it comes to determining your eligibility for compensation. Last but not least, any performance reviews or disciplinary actions will serve as concrete evidence of the allegations of bullying or harassment.

Why Medical Evidence is Crucial for USPS Federal Workers’ Compensation

Lastly, medical evidence is critical as OWCP usually places a lot of weight on medical documentation of injuries, whether physical or psychological. To this end, ensure to get a clear diagnosis of a recognized psychological condition, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.

In addition, the treating mental health professional must also provide a comprehensive medical report that confirms this diagnosis, state that the condition was either directly caused or significantly exacerbated by a specific and documented workplace harassment or bullying event, as well as how the prolonged bullying or harassment led to the specific symptoms and diagnosis.

Best Countrywide USPS Workers’ Compensation Attorneys – Call Us Today!

If you are a USPS last mile worker suffering silently with psychological injuries due to workplace harassment or bullying, you’re not alone – contact us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about how we can get you compensated for your invisible but pertinent injuries and hopefully have you moved to a different department or have the supervisor disciplined. We work with injured USPS workers countrywide, so call us from wherever you are and we’ll be glad to help. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to serving you.