Department of Labor files suit alleging US Postal Service wrongfully fired Texas worker for reporting work-related injury

Lawsuit alleges USPS violated federal whistleblower protections

CALDWELL, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against the U.S. Postal Service for wrongful termination of an employee who fell while delivering mail and reported the work-related injury.

An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the USPS violated the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing the worker on Feb. 27, 2024, 10 days after the injury was reported.

The department’s suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, asks the court to hold USPS liable for illegal retaliation and require payment of back wages and damages.

OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of 25 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of workplace airline, anti-money laundering, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, criminal antitrust, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, maritime, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, safety and health, securities and tax laws. For more information on whistleblower protections, visit

OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage.