Navigating Federal Employees' Compensation: Understanding FECA Benefits
The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) provides financial protection to most federal employees from injuries while performing job duties at work or employees who develop an occupational illness or disease. Injury claims are filed with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP). The claim filing process before the OWCP can be challenging and overwhelming. Claims are subject to strict deadlines, and the requirements to succeed can be difficult to satisfy for those new to the claim filing process. If successful, federal employees can receive a portion (or all) of lost wages due to a work-related injury or disease as well as schedule awards for loss of use of a body part or organ.
How to file a federal workers compensation claim with the OWCP?
If you suffered a traumatic injury or developed an illness or injury over time as a result of your federal employment, then you are entitled to compensation through OWCP. The likely first step in the compensation claim process is to file either a CA-1 Traumatic Injury Form or a CA-2 Occupational Disease Form. Contact the Pekich Law Firm to assist you further in filing your federal workers' compensation claim.
How to get a schedule award?
FECA allows payment to federal employees when their job injury permanently impairs a scheduled member of the body. This payment is called a schedule award. The amount of your schedule award is based upon the percentage impairment to your body and is paid for a set number of weeks.
Did the OWCP propose to terminate your benefits?
OWCP may propose termination of your benefits. This may occur for a number of reasons, including if you refused suitable work or OWCP determined you no longer suffer from your injury. Whatever the reason may be, read the ENTIRE notice carefully.
How to appeal an unfavorable decision by OWCP
You have (3) three different avenues to challenge an unfavorable initial decision. First, you may request a hearing before an OWCP representative who works outside the District Office that initially denied your claim. Second, you can request reconsideration before the OWCP. Third, you may appeal to the Employees Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB). The ECAB does not consider new evidence.
