Beyond FERS Disability Retirement Approval – Don’t Be Caught Off-Guard by OPM Demands, USPS Workers
USPS last mile workers face numerous injuries that can become cumulative over the course of their career, creating a situation where they can no longer carry out their work-related duties due to an excruciating injury or illness that slowly developed into something unmanageable. Once this condition reaches critical mass, they can become eligible for FERS disability retirement which enables them to take time off work for as long as they remain injured or sick and, in some cases, up until they retire.
A great FERS disability retirement attorney such as those found in our nationwide law firm McCready Law can help you apply for these benefits, but the question is always posed: what happens after your benefits claim is accepted? This isn’t always the end, as you will see in this post, as OPM may require additional documentation from you and even allege that your condition has improved so much so that you may become eligible for modified work duty.
The concept of “disability” is usually dynamic and as things change, you need a law firm that can provide timely guidance in order to ensure your benefits keep coming for a considerable amount of time in the future – read on to discover how McCready Law helps injured or unwell USPS last mile workers secure and maintain their FERS disability retirement benefits long-term.
Trusted FERS Disability Retirement Lawyers for USPS Workers
Are you looking for the best FERS disability retirement lawyer? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced injured USPS worker attorneys at McCready Law have represented thousands of injured or unwell federal workers who are either looking to apply for benefits such as schedule awards, or those who have sustained a disabling injury or illness that has rendered them temporarily or permanently incapacitated or disabled, requiring early retirement by way of FERS disability compensation.
We have nationwide reach as we work closely with referral attorneys and law firms to cater to all injured USPS workers from every corner of the country, and we help expedite your claim by personally handling all communications with OPM, send you off to physicians who are conversant with the unique needs and injuries as well as illnesses experienced by USPS workers who can perform exams and assessments as well as craft objective, compelling medical reports demonstrating not only causation or aggravation, but the fact that you are unable to perform essential work functions.
We understand and empathize with you with regard to the sometimes-inaccessible nature of legal services: at McCready Law, we aim to ensure that all injured USPS workers are able to access these services and that is why we are pleased to announce the availability of flat, affordable and never-changing hourly fees that we can discuss and agree upon prior to the commencement of representation.
In addition, our fees are usually assessed by OPM to ensure they are fair and reasonable prior to starting our representation as the idea is to leave the injured USPS worker with as much financial resources as possible so they can comfortably take care of their medical, home upkeep and any other financial needs that arise. If you were injured or fell ill while working for the USPS as a last-mile worker or in any department for that matter, please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and retirement– our intake team is standing by.
USPS Last Mile Workers Common Injuries and Illnesses
Here are some of the unique challenges often faced by USPS last mile workers:
- Musculoskeletal disorders such as shoulder nerve impingement, knee issues, back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive hand work with regard to lifting and carrying mail bags often feature periods of remission and worsening
- Stress and mental health conditions due to performance pressure, having to deal with difficult public and the demanding and fast pace of the job may expose them to anxiety, depression or even PTSD which usually requires extensive and continuous treatment as well as ongoing documentation
- Environmental exposure to allergens, extreme temperatures and even pollutants in a heavily industrialized zone that is in their work radius can lead to respiratory conditions such as COPD, allergies and skin issues which will require ongoing medical treatment.
Will OPM Force me to Return to Work as an Injured Federal Worker?
Over time, OPM will institute a reevaluation of your condition while keeping in mind the physical and mental demands of your former position as a USPS last mile worker. In order to continue receiving FERS disability retirement benefits, you must prove that your condition still prevents you from performing your previous duties. In particular, they will carry out Functional Capacity Evaluations to see if you could theoretically return to work, and they can even go as far as assigning you a limited-duty assignment to see if your improved capacity negates your disability.
How Will Your Law Firm Prevent OPM Interference into My USPS Injured Worker Benefits?
That said, McCready Law best federal workers’ retirement attorneys will always be on your side even after your initial approval when it comes to providing ongoing support.
- We shall provide you with post-approval briefings which is a discussion on what could potentially trigger your typical re-evaluation and what OPM deems improvements in postal workers so you’re not blindsided by the agency
- We shall also stress the importance of maintaining detailed and continuous medical records which highlight your ongoing symptoms and limitations with regard to your condition as doing so will demonstrate to OPM that your condition is still under treatment and you’re in no way, shape or form ready to return to work
- Since many USPS workers often got through OWCP claims before ending up in FERS disability compensation, we advise our clients on how these two interact since you cannot concurrently receive OWCP benefits as well as FERS payments.
- Should OPM suggest you’ve sufficiently recovered and must return to work and threaten to terminate your FERS disability payments, we will prepare strong counter-arguments and commission new independent medical examinations or Functional Capacity Evaluations proving the opposite is true as well as helping gather statements from former supervisors and work colleagues who can corroborate our assertions in relating to the demanding and often injurious nature of your old job.
Best Countrywide FERS Disability Benefits Attorneys – Call Us Today!
If you’re an injured or unwell USPS last mile worker seeking to apply for FERS disability benefits, don’t attempt to go it alone – call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 so we can assess your potential claim in its entirety and engage your treating physicians, OPM and other relevant agencies on your behalf, leaving you to relax and recover as you wait for the processing of your claim. The call is 100% FREE, and you can call us from wherever you are in the country for timely assistance and advice. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.