Most people visit the post office for something routine — mailing a package, buying stamps, or picking up certified mail. But what happens if you slip, trip, or get hurt there?

Accidents in federal buildings like U.S. Post Offices aren’t handled like ordinary personal injury cases. Because the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a federal agency, your claim must go through a special legal process under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we help clients nationwide navigate this complex system — turning confusing government procedures into clear, actionable steps that lead to real results. Our mission is simple: to maximize every settlement or judgment and hold the government accountable when it causes harm.

Here’s exactly what to do if you were injured at a post office.

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health always comes first. Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries — like concussions or back injuries — don’t appear right away.

Keep detailed records of:

  • Emergency room visits or urgent care reports

  • Prescriptions and imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)

  • Follow-up care and physical therapy

  • Medical bills and out-of-pocket costs

You’ll need this documentation later to support your FTCA claim.

Step 2: Report the Incident to Post Office Staff

Before you leave the facility, notify a USPS employee or supervisor about what happened. Ask them to complete an incident or accident report and get a copy if possible.

If staff refuse or downplay the incident, write down:

  • The names of employees on duty

  • The time and location of the accident

  • Any unsafe conditions you noticed (spills, uneven floors, ice, clutter, etc.)

💡 Tip: Take photos of the area immediately — hazards are often cleaned up within minutes, making proof difficult later.

Step 3: Document Everything

To win an FTCA claim, you must show that the government’s negligence caused your injury. That means evidence is everything.

Gather:

  • Photos and videos of the hazard

  • Witness statements or contact info

  • Copies of maintenance or cleaning logs (if available)

  • Your medical records and bills

  • Pay stubs showing missed work or lost wages

If you’re unable to gather these right away, our team can help obtain them through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and formal preservation letters.

Step 4: File an Administrative Claim (SF-95)

You can’t sue the government directly right away. First, you must file a Standard Form 95 (SF-95) — the official FTCA claim form — with the U.S. Postal Service Tort Claims Coordinator for your region.

Your claim must include:

  • A clear description of what happened

  • The date, time, and location

  • The names of any involved postal employees

  • A specific dollar amount (“sum certain”) you’re claiming in damages

You have two years from the date of the incident to file this claim.

👉 For a detailed walkthrough, visit our Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the SF-95.

Once your claim is filed, USPS has six months to investigate and respond.

Step 5: Know What to Expect from the Postal Service

After you submit your claim, the Postal Service may:

  • Offer a settlement (usually lower than your actual damages),

  • Deny your claim, or

  • Fail to respond within 6 months — which counts as a denial.

If denied, you can file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court.

⚖️ Important: You must file your lawsuit within 6 months of the denial notice, or your claim is permanently barred.

Common Post Office Injury Claims

We’ve handled many cases involving:

  • Slip-and-fall accidents caused by wet floors, spills, or tracked-in rain

  • Trip hazards from boxes, mail carts, or damaged flooring

  • Falling packages or shelving injuries

  • Parking lot accidents due to poor maintenance or snow removal

  • Vehicle collisions with postal trucks or mail carriers

🧠 Example: A customer slips on melting snow near the post office entrance where no warning sign or mat was placed. The fall causes a torn ligament requiring surgery. The USPS denied fault — until our attorneys uncovered a prior complaint about the same hazard. The claim settled for over $250,000.

How the Government Defends These Claims

The Postal Service’s attorneys will often argue:

  • The hazard was “open and obvious”

  • The condition had just occurred (so they had no notice)

  • You weren’t paying attention

  • Your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed

Our attorneys know these tactics — because we’ve defended them from the inside. We counter every argument with evidence, expert opinions, and strategic timing.

Learn more in our guide:
👉 Common FTCA Defenses and How to Overcome Them.

What You Can Recover

If your claim succeeds, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)

  • Lost wages and future earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Property damage (if applicable)

💰 Typical Range: FTCA slip-and-fall or post office injury claims often settle between $75,000 and $400,000, depending on injury severity and evidence strength. Catastrophic injuries or permanent disabilities can exceed $500,000.

(See our FTCA Settlement Range Guide for more examples.)

How National Security Law Firm Maximizes USPS Claims

We know how the Postal Service and the Department of Justice defend these cases — because our attorneys used to work for them.

Our FTCA team:

  • Files every claim precisely and early to avoid procedural denials

  • Requests key internal records through FOIA to prove notice of hazards

  • Builds strong medical and economic evidence to maximize value

  • Negotiates aggressively with USPS and DOJ attorneys

  • Litigates fearlessly in federal court when necessary

At NSLF, every case is handled like a mission — with precision, persistence, and purpose.

🪖 We don’t settle for what’s easy. We fight for what’s fair.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm

  • ⭐ 4.9-star Google reviews from clients nationwide (read them here)

  • 🪖 Former federal and military attorneys who know the system from the inside

  • ⚖️ Nationwide representation from Washington, D.C. — the hub of federal law

  • 💸 Transparent pricing and legal financing through Affirm

  • 💬 Free, no-pressure consultations

  • 💥 A proven mission to maximize every settlement or judgment

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you were injured at a post office or federal mail facility, don’t wait. FTCA deadlines are strict, and the Postal Service is quick to deny claims missing technical details.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or book your free consultation online.
We’ll review your claim, gather the evidence, and build a strategy to hold the government accountable.

Learn More About FTCA Claims

Visit our FTCA Resource Center for detailed guides, including:

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the SF-95

  • How to File a VA Malpractice or Airport Injury Claim

  • 10 Strategies to Maximize Your FTCA Settlement or Judgment

  • What Evidence Matters Most in FTCA Claims

Whether you were injured at a post office, courthouse, airport, or VA hospital, our Resource Center breaks down everything you need to know to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.