Federal Employment Lawyers for FECA Claims
Attorneys Helping Workers Across the U.S. Receive Benefits Under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
In the United States, people who work for the federal government are entitled to certain benefits. These include workers’ compensation benefits that address injuries that take place while working or health issues related to the work that a person has performed. The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) provides benefits to federal employees, and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) handles claims made under FECA.
Even though all civilian federal government employees are covered by FECA, workers may encounter difficulties when filing workers’ compensation claims. In some cases, employees may be unsure of what information they will need to provide to prove that injuries or health conditions are work-related. When claims are denied, workers will need to understand the appeals process. The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C. provides compassionate legal representation in these cases, helping employees take the correct steps to receive essential benefits and address their health conditions.
Employees and Conditions Covered by FECA
All civilians who are employed by the federal government will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Whether a person is a full-time employee, part-time worker, or volunteer, they can file claims related to workplace injuries, occupational illnesses, work-related mental health concerns, or other health conditions that are related to the work they have performed. If a person was killed in a workplace accident, or if a work-related condition led to their death, their surviving spouse and children may receive death benefits.
All conditions related to a person’s employment should be covered, with only a few exceptions. These include injuries caused by an employee’s willful misconduct, intoxication, or actions taken with the intent of causing injury or death to themselves or others.
Filing FECA Claims
Workers who have suffered injuries or experienced work-related health issues can file claims through OWCP. These claims must be filed within three years of the date of an injury or the date when a person became aware of a health condition. OWCP will review claims, and it may require a worker to undergo a medical examination or provide evidence showing that a condition is work-related. If a claim is denied, a worker can request a hearing with OWCP. If necessary, a final appeal can be filed with the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB).
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Under FECA
Medical Benefits
All expenses related to medical treatment for a work-related illness or injury will be fully covered. These may include the costs of visiting doctors or therapists, surgeries, medications, or medical devices.
Disability Benefits
Following a physical injury in a workplace accident, a person may receive continuation of pay for up to 45 days. This will provide them with 100 percent of the pay they were receiving at the time of the injury.
An employee may receive partial disability benefits if they can only work part-time or in a lower-paying position. In these cases, their monthly benefit will be two thirds of the difference between their pre-disability and post-disability earnings. If an employee has a spouse or another dependent, they will receive 75 percent of the difference.
In cases involving permanent partial disability, such as an injury that led to the amputation of a limb, a person can receive scheduled benefits. These benefits may be paid even if an employee is able to continue working full-time. Depending on the part of the body that was permanently disabled, the employee will receive standard FECA benefits for a certain number of weeks.
A person who cannot work at all on either a temporary or permanent basis will receive benefits of two thirds of their monthly wage before their disability. Workers who have at least one dependent will receive 75 percent of their previous monthly wage. Benefits will be paid until a worker is no longer disabled. If a disability is permanent, a worker will receive benefits until their death.
Death Benefits
When a work-related injury or health condition leads to an employee’s death, their family members will be eligible for benefits. If the person was married and had no children, their spouse will receive benefits of 50 percent of the employee’s monthly wage at the time of their death. If a person was married with children, their spouse will receive 45 percent of their monthly wage, and each child will receive 15 percent, with the maximum family benefit being 75 percent of the employee’s monthly wage.
A spouse may receive death benefits throughout the rest of their life, although if they get remarried before they reach the age of 55, they will receive a lump-sum payment of 24 months of benefits, and all future benefits will cease. A remarriage after the age of 55 will not result in the end of benefits. For minor children, benefits will be paid until the age of 18, and if the child is pursuing an education, benefits may be paid until the age of 23. A child who is disabled may continue to receive benefits for life.
Contact Our FECA Claim Attorneys
Federal employees may encounter a variety of issues when filing claims to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Our federal workers’ compensation lawyers can help file FECA claims, appeal the denial of benefits, and address other related concerns. To set up a free consultation, contact us at 866-460-0994.