Throughout the past year and continuing into 2021, mailing services have been severely affected by the global pandemic. As a result, mail and packages have been delivered at a very slow pace. Notably, individuals who receive Workers’ Compensation have also been affected by the delay in deliveries. Many clients have reported not receiving their compensation checks or files on time, which can cause numerous complications with their health, expenses, or daily living.
Since the spring of 2020, online ordering has drastically increased as people began to purchase more items online than in stores. In compliance with the current health protocols, the United States Postal Service (USPS) decided to reduce the working hours for employees, as well as the number of employees that are working simultaneously. In addition, workers have also missed work if they were diagnosed or have been in contact with people with COVID-19. The CDC advises that people should stay home for 2 weeks following a diagnosis or direct contact with COVID-19. As a result, hundreds of thousands of USPS employees had to miss work. This combination resulted in a prolonged delivery time to receive items in the mail.
Many people who receive Workers’ Compensation rely on their payments in order to pay for their medical bills, prescriptions, and any additional expenses. People receiving Workers’ Compensation may also experience a delay in their medication delivery. If individuals have severe health issues, they rely on receiving their medication as prescribed by their doctor. There has also been reports of issues with receiving compensation payments. When their payments are weeks late, they may have difficulties paying for their expenses. A recipient who receives their Workers’ Compensation benefits later than expected can be eligible to receive alternative payment methods. Common alternatives can include mobile payments and direct deposits, which will be unaffected by the current mailing delays.
In addition to receiving payments and medications, documents can also become delayed in the mail. In the application process for Workers’ Compensation benefits, there are specific documents that must be filled out and completed within a certain time frame. If the documents are not received by the predetermined date, there may be additional difficulties with an individual’s case. Filing for a Workers’ Compensation claim is very complicated and elaborate. Workers’ Compensation requires that individuals submit certain information when filing a claim. If sufficient information is not listed, the claim may be denied. On some occasions, claims can be wrongfully denied, and injured individuals may not be able to receive the compensation that they rightfully deserve. A Workers’ Compensation attorney will be able to provide expert experience and knowledge on cases and can support their clients in filing their claims.
Millions of people throughout the United States have experienced the prolonged wait in receiving mail. In terms of Workers’ Compensation, clients have also been affected by this delay. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to receive compensation payments that do not involve delivery services. An example would be to receive mobile payments. If you have experienced a delay in receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits or paperwork, it is recommended to contact a Workers’ Compensation attorney. At O’Connor Law, we have a licensed and professional team of attorneys that specialize in Workers’ Compensation. To schedule a free consultation to meet with one of our attorneys, please contact our office at 800-518-4529.