Friends and family members of a postal worker who was injured in a hit-and-run accident in the southern Los Angeles suburb of Compton addressed the public in a plea for justice on a local news network Oct. 22. The mother of five and grandmother of six had been working with the postal service for more than 20 years when a vehicle struck her while she was unloading mail near Euclid Avenue and Santa Fe on Oct. 19.
As a result of the collision, the postal worker was pinned underneath her vehicle. She survived the incident, but she has undergone two surgeries and remains in critical but stable condition at St. Francis Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle, which is described by authorities as a blue BMW from the model years 1995 through 2000, fled the scene and is wanted for questioning. According to authorities, the car should exhibit “visible front-end damage.” Individuals with information about the incident are encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The female victim in this case continues to require medical attention, and she may be facing mounting medical bills as a result of this incident. In addition, she may be facing financial hardship due to her inability to work as she recovers from her injuries. While the person who struck her will likely face criminal charges when he or she is found, justice in a criminal court may do little to address the costs she and her family face.
A workers’ compensation claim could enable the victim and her family to obtain funds to offset her burgeoning medical expenses and missed wages. A separate personal injury claim based on grounds that the woman’s condition was caused by the driver’s negligence or recklessness may also be a viable option.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, “Family And Friends Of Postal Worker Injured In Compton Hit-And-Run Speak Out“, October 22, 2013
