9 August 2019
 Categories: Law, Blog

Postal delivery workers are frequently exposed to a number of dangers while they are on the job and on their delivery routes. These dangers can cause significant personal injury if the postal worker is subjected to them. Because these personal injuries can happen on private property, you might be wondering if a postal worker can sue the property owner when this happens. If you are a postal worker, this may definitely be a question to which you need legal help. You can ask personal injury attorneys in regards to your case, but here is what they probably will say. 

If Your Injury Was a Dog Bite, You Did Not Have to Enter the Property

During your training as a postal worker, you were likely told that if you see a large or threatening dog in the yard of any customer that you have the right to skip mail delivery to that yard. You would be protecting yourself and remaining safe, and if that customer wanted his/her mail, they should keep any menacing dogs inside. If that was indeed part of your training, and you entered a property where such a dog was prowling the grounds and you were bit, your lawyer might tell you that you should have listened to your training. They may also tell you that you can attempt to pursue the case, but you may not win because you were partially responsible for what happened. You could have stayed out of the yard, but you chose to enter the yard with the dog anyway. It will be up to a judge to decide how your case will go. 

If Your Injury Was a Slip and Fall on the Ice, You May Sue

Property owners are responsible to clear snow and ice immediately after the winter storms have cleared up. If and when they do not, and people are injured because they fall on the ice, the people that fall can sue the property owners. As a postal worker, you can sue, but you will have to consider the consequences of the lawsuit. These consequences may include a loss of employment, or the loss of your case because you do not have to deliver mail to any home where the ice and snow have not been cleared. 

Being Hit by a Car or Truck

Postal delivery requires that you walk most of your route. Property owners should be looking out for pedestrians. If they were not watching where they were going either backing out of their driveways or driving in general, and you were struck, you can sue. The sidewalk and "terrace" areas are considered city property, and if you are hit by a property owner on these areas, there is nothing restricting you from suing. 

Contact a personal injury lawyer for more help.