Injured Due To Someone Else’s Negligence? Two Claims Must Be Handled Together

When a postal worker (or any Federal employee) is hurt in a car accident or because another person or company was negligent, it often leads to something they never see coming: the injury can trigger two separate claims that need to be handled together. The federal workers’ compensation claim falls under OWCP. The other is a personal injury claim against the person or company who caused the accident. These claims affect each other directly, which is why they must be handled together by one coordinated legal team for the best outcome.

Why These Claims Must Be Coordinated

OWCP provides medical care, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent impairment. A third-party liability claim compensates you for negligence. Without coordination, one claim can harm the other. IFW Law Group handles both claims under one roof to avoid conflicts and maximize recovery.

Think of it this way: you report the accident, get medical care, document the scene, and exchange information with the at-fault party, but don’t assume your agency or personal auto insurance will handle it. Likewise, you may speak with a personal injury attorney who typically handles car accidents, but they may not be experienced in guiding you through the complex federal workers’ compensation process. These systems don’t interact, and without legal guidance for both claims, you may leave important benefits on the table.

How Legal Fees Work (This Surprises Most People)

In OWCP claims, attorneys’ fees are paid directly by the injured worker. When there is a third-party component to the OWCP claim, the fee should be a contingency fee with no upfront cost. You should not have to pay two separate attorneys to handle one incident.  Working under one roof with a law firm means no mixed messages or duplicated efforts. And, most importantly, it means no risk of one case inadvertently damaging the other.

Why Does This Matter?

If one lawyer handles your OWCP claim and a different lawyer handles your personal injury claim, decisions on one side can unintentionally reduce your compensation or disqualify you from compensation on the other.

Understanding Credit and Statutory Limits

OWCP may provide a credit against future benefits if you settle your personal injury claim; this is a complex statutory formula. When one firm handles both claims strategically, this credit is managed correctly, so you don’t potentially lose out on long-term benefits.

If you’re a postal worker injured because someone else was negligent, especially in a car accident, you shouldn’t have to bounce between two law firms or repeat your story over and over. IFW Law Group’s federal workers’ compensation attorneys will handle both claims under one coordinated strategy, making sure your rights are protected in every part of the process.

Contact us today to learn more.