Federal Workers’ Compensation-An Overview, Part 2

If you have been injured as a civilian employee of the U.S. government, you may have a right to compensation for lost wages under the Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA). In addition to medical expenses, which are customarily paid automatically upon reporting your injury, you may also seek benefits for lost wages if you are unable to work for more than 45 days.

Additional Benefits under FECA

Like most state workers’ compensation statutes, FECA allows you to seek temporary total disability benefits. These benefits are designed to cover lost wages when you cannot work at all because of a work-related injury. You may also be entitled to a schedule award, which is a fixed benefit based on the permanent loss of use of a body part, such as a finger, toe, arm or leg. If you are able to go back to work, but still need medical care, you can seek benefits for any wages lost due to travel or treatment.

Your Rights to Medical Care under FECA

FECA allows you to choose your own treating physician, provided your doctor qualifies under the terms of the statute. You may generally choose to visit an osteopathic physician or a medical doctor, at your discretion.

All workers’ compensation claims under FECA are administered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). If your employer disputes your medical condition, or if OWCP needs additional information to make a determination, you may be required to:

• Submit to an examination by a doctor on staff or under contract with the OWCP district office where you filed your claim
• Have a second opinion from a medical specialist
• Have your claim settled by a “referee medical specialist” if your doctor and OWCP’s physician have provided different, but compelling, opinions.

FECA sets no cap on the amount of medical expenses reimbursed, nor on the amount of time for which you can receive medical benefits.

Contact Uliase & Uliase

For an appointment with an experienced New Jersey federal worker injury lawyer, contact our office online or call us at (856) 310-9002. We are available to meet with you weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment with our experienced federal employee injury lawyers. We are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We offer a free consultation for injured workers.