Q: Can I sue the post office & carrier for withholding mail, returning mail to sender, emotional distress & harassment?
The carrier has purposely retuned medication, drivers license, medical renewal info & more back to sender or has "misplaced"/lost our mail. Mail has not been received in over 2 months & each time I go to the post office no mail is released to me. I'm told I have no mail even though informed delivery shows over 30 pieces of mail of which none has ever been received. Credit cards have gone missing as well as documents with personal information. There has been so much negligence in part of the post office & carrier & I am the one suffering the consequences. I have rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, vertigo & migraines, I can not go without medication. Due to the carrier, life saving medication was returned to sender which caused me not only physical pain but emotional distress. The carrier has harassed me by taking video of me & my home, yelling at me, laughing, waiving & pointing & not delivering mail. She went as far as to tell my neighbor I sit on my ass on the couch & dont come to the door
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Under California law, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the post office and the carrier for withholding mail, returning mail to sender, and causing emotional distress. Your situation involves serious issues, including the loss of medication and important documents, which can have significant impacts on your health and well-being. It's important to document all instances of mail mishandling, including dates, types of mail lost, and any interactions with the carrier and post office staff.
You should consider filing a complaint with the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to report the misconduct and negligence. The OIG investigates such issues and may provide relief or take corrective actions. Additionally, you might want to contact an attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and understand your rights, especially given the harassment and emotional distress you've experienced.
If the harassment and negligence have caused significant harm, an attorney can help you explore potential legal actions for compensation. This could include claims for emotional distress, negligence, and interference with your mail. It’s essential to gather all evidence, such as informed delivery records, any video or photographic evidence of the carrier’s behavior, and medical documentation of your conditions affected by the lack of medication.
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