Mail Carrier Dies From Overheating After Return From Comp Injury

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 | 0

A 63-year-old U.S. Postal Service carrier who was found unconscious in her truck on the first day back to work after an injury died from hyperthermia, according to a report by the San Jose Mercury News.

Peggy Frank died from overheating July 6, the Los Angeles County coroner concluded. The temperature reached 117 degrees in Woodland Hills on the day Frank was found in her mail truck, which didn’t have air conditioning.

Officials from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Postal Service opened a workplace safety investigation following the death.

Frank was a 28-year veteran of the post office in Woodland Hills. Earlier in the year, she broke her ankle slipping on wet leaves while working. Her ankle was still sore and swollen, but her workers’ compensation doctor reportedly said Frank was ready to return to work.

July 6 was her first day back.