Personal Injury News

Injured Letter Carrier

Maureen Buscher DePrince began July 24 just like any other workday.

She gathered the mail and began her daily route as a carrier in Ventnor. But her life changed forever when a vehicle operated by an alleged drunk driver pinned her against a mail truck on Ventnor Avenue, severing one leg and nearly severing the other.

Buscher DePrince, a 38-year-old Westville native who now lives in Collings Lakes, was rushed to AtlantiCare Medical Center in Atlantic City, where efforts to save both legs proved unsuccessful. She remains in critical condition, as family and Post Office colleagues maintain a bedside vigil.

Support has poured in from all over South Jersey and beyond. A trust fund will help defray costs, with additional money expected from upcoming fundraisers.

A postal employee from Beverly lent a condo in Atlantic City so husband Troy DePrince and other family members have a place to stay near the hospital. Bally's also provided a room at the Claridge, just down the block. And a local real estate office is looking into additional housing in Atlantic City.

"Our intent here is to do everything we can for the family," said Carol Threatt, a longtime friend and manager of the Margate Post Office.

Threatt supervised Buscher DePrince in Atlantic City and again in Margate, until a recent bid gave her a permanent route in Ventnor.

"This is heartbreaking to say the least," Threatt said. "I was her supervisor when she came in to the Postal Service in 1993. I toss and turn at night. My way to deal with this is to send out e-mails to all South Jersey post offices to keep them abreast of the situation."

Meanwhile, the family waits for signs of improvement.

"She's been heavily sedated through the whole process," said her father, Joseph Buscher of Mays Landing. "Eventually, she'll be taken off drugs, but we're not sure of the timetable."

The last conversation Joe had with his daughter -- known as Moe -- was the day of the accident when she called on her cell phone to see how he and his wife, Patricia, were doing.

"I told her I loved her. "Be careful' were the last words from her," Buscher said.

Kevin Howarth, an off-duty Ventnor firefighter, was on his way to the beach when the accident occurred. He was pivotal in saving her life, Threatt said, using beach towels as a tourniquet to stem the blood flow.

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	Did You Know?
	Health care insurers can be repaid from a personal injury settlement It's quite common. Most health insurance policies now have language that allows the insurance company to be repaid for the amount paid out on medical bills if the insured person gets a personal injury settlement. Depending on the law in your state, your daughter may be able to deduct attorney's fees and costs from the total amount owed to her health insurer.