The work of a last mile worker often includes repetitive motions such as carrying packages and loading as well as offloading their vans from sunrise to sunset. This amount of motion is usually not usual or conventional for most humans, and the joints, tendons and muscles found in our shoulders, elbows, knees and wrists were not designed to take on these motions for extended amounts of time. After a period of working as a last mile USPS worker, one may notice a niggling pain in their shoulders that does not seem to go away even with some rest, hot and cold compresses or medication.

This may signal the beginnings of a condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome, which is a repetitive motion condition that prevalently affects the upper shoulders given the propensity for postal workers to sometimes carry large packages on their shoulders for some leverage. It is important to note that USPS worker’s rights are protected under FECA, a piece of legislation that lays out the procedural steps to take if one gets injured or falls sick on the job, with exceptions in some case as regards to what caused the injury or illness, or where it occurred.

FERS Disability Compensation for Injured USPS Workers

All federal workers are entitled to compensation should they suffer an injury and are able to demonstrate causation, and in some cases, can go into a form of semi-retirement also known as FERS disability compensation on account of a disability that makes it virtually impossible to carry out their work duties at whatever capacity. FERS disability compensation benefits make it possible for you to take time off work and recover until such a time that you are able to return to work, or reach retirement age.

However, just because this program exists doesn’t mean that individuals will be arbitrarily accepted into it by virtue of their injuries or that they are postal workers – denials are common, and the process can be long and convoluted with requests often made for medical reports that are objective and demonstrate causation. It is because of these reasons that it would be prudent as a USPS last mile worker to retain the services of a FERS disability compensation attorney, and we’re here to offer our stellar services so you can get started on your compensation within the shortest amount of time possible – read on to find out how.

You Need a FERS Disability Attorney

Are you looking for the best FERS disability compensation lawyer as an injured or unwell postal worker? please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced and aggressive FERS disability compensation attorneys at McCready Law bring to the table over three decades of stellar legal experience where we’ve helped thousands of injured federal government workers get compensated as well as had their benefits reinstated after an initial denial.

At McCready Law, we understand and empathize with you during this difficult time and understand you are seeking legal services but may not have the financial wherewithal to pay for the same, and it’s because of this we would love to let you in on the availability of never-changing flat hourly fees that are reviewed by OPM to ensure fairness and uniformity when compared to other firms that offer the same service.

In addition, we work with a trusted network of physicians and other professionals who provide their expertise when it comes to ensuring your medical report is objective, your injuries are in line with your job description, and that your documentation is completed in a timely manner. If you sustained an injury that put you out of work as a USPS worker, please give us a call TODAY at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about how we can help secure your compensation – our intake team is ready and standing by to get you started.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is USPS Workers – Causes and Symptoms

Thoracic outlet syndrome or TOS is a condition which is caused by the compression of blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet, which is a space between the first rib and the collarbone. This area is a passageway for blood vessels and nerves that travel from the neck to the upper extremities, but can be impacted by postal work in ways we’ll demonstrate in this article.

In order to understand TOS, we must understand the vessels and nerves that are affected. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which originate from the spinal cord, going all the way up the neck and then extends into the arm, helping with arm movement as well as sensory function. The subclavian blood vessels on the other hand refer to blood vessels found under the first rib that move oxygen and nutrients to other body parts as well as move waste out to the kidneys for excretion.

The compression of these blood vessels and nerves can occur due to repetitive lifting or overhead work, and even standing in awkward postures which postal workers often find themselves in as they offload large packages or load their vans at the beginning of the workday.

There are three types of thoracic outlet syndrome:

1. Neurogenic TOS which is the most common, affecting over 90 percent of sufferers, caused by the compression of the brachial plexus nerves
2. Venous TOS which occurs due to the compression of the subclavian vein which may cause swelling in the affected arm, although rare
3. Arterial TOS which is the rarest type and is caused by the compression of the subclavian artery, leading to symptoms such as coldness in the affected arm and paleness due to reduced blood flow.

Some of the warning symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome include the following:

1. Pain in the shoulder, neck or upper back which may be sharp, throbbing or aching, worsening during overhead lifting or prolonged sitting
2. Numbness or tingling in the fingers or hands making it difficult to have the needed dexterity in one’s fingers such as handling small objects
3. Weakness in one’s arm making it difficult to exercise or use one’s fine motor skills
4. Swelling of the arm which may appear larger than the other making the affected arm feel full or heavy

Best Countrywide FERS Disability Compensation Attorneys – Call Us Today!

It is important to see a doctor if you experience these symptoms as a USPS worker, as delayed diagnosis may lead to the development of chronic symptoms and even irreversible blood vessel and nerve damage.  In addition, postal workers who suspect they have thoracic outlet syndrome must stop working and let their supervisor know so they can seek the needed medical assistance in a timely manner. As you do this, ensure to get started on the documentation process by filling an incident report with your superior, see a physician or expert for proper diagnosis, and make sure to commence on a treatment plan with your healthcare provider.

It is also important to fill out the necessary FERS disability compensation forms and then submit it, together with the supporting medical documentation, to the right FERS office. That said, it is vital to work with an experienced FERS disability lawyer in order to make sure your documentation is in order, and that any communication with OPM is handled in a timely and professional manner. Need to find out more on the process and how we can help expedite it? Please give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation as an injured USPS worker. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.