On June 8th 2006 I was involved in an accident on the job. I was delivering mail on a park and loop and while going up a flight of stairs I tripped and fell. In doing so I took a severe blow to my left knee, and received a laceration so deep it could not be stitched. I thought that maybe I was just in shock so I gathered my thoughts picked up my mail and stood up. I realized then that I was injured not just hurt. I made it back to the L.L.V. and immediately called my supervisor Mr. Jacobs. He came and took me to the hospital. I was then put on seated work only. The next day I was at work on time ready to do anything they needed for me to do. For two weeks I worked in severe pain with no complaints I was just thankful to be working. I then saw a orthopedic doctor and he put me on light duty with no lifting pushing bending as is in my file documented. They immediately had me casing and delivering curbside doing all tasks. Including loading the cart, pushing it outside, loading the truck, delivering parcels and certified letters which included me walking and using my injured knee. It was the most intense pain I have ever had to deal with, but I did my worked I did not complain or argue with anyone for I knew I was still in my 90 days and could not contest. While still in limited duty they ( they being Mr. Jacobs, Mrs. Maddox, and Mrs. Roots) Had me delivering to cluster boxes including having to go in apartments still I worked with no complaints.
I felt they did not care about me possibly getting hurt worse but at the same time I also understood they have to get the mail out. Mr. Jacobs even went as far to say he didn’t care how long it took I was to deliver park and loops, thank goodness another carrier was looking out and helped me. I then was constantly in pain from being over worked, but I was willing to do what ever it took to make it with the USPS. I then went back to the Doctor and he said that I needed surgery on my knee. I explained that I was in a lot of pain and he put me out of work until after my surgery on Aug. 9th 2006. I then received on July 26th that I was being released from the USPS because of failure to work in a unsafe manner, which might I add I was only trained for 1 and a half days when I started, and was never shown how to deliver on a park and loop. I was told they were to busy and to just do my best. I also scanned an express delivery 3 minutes late but once again I was trying to teach myself how to do this job and had already received a letter of warning for discipline on 6/28/2006, mistakes do happen there is more to that incident if needed to be discussed. I am deeply sorry for getting hurt on the job but in my defense I was not trained or guided in the right direction by any supervisor or management in the Lakeside branch. Also if you look in my file you will see that I signed my training papers and two of my reviews on the same day in July. I understand I am new and have to work my way up, and there is nothing I would like more than to be given a fair chance to prove myself to you and anyone else I need to prove to. I can honestly say that I have not been given a fair chance since the first day at my station.
