The OWCP (Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs) Adjudication Process

If you are a federal employee and have a claim with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, you may have questions about the process. How does the OWCP make its determination regarding whether or not to approve your claim? What is the process for submitting a request for benefits? This blog post provides a brief overview of that process.

The Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) allows civilian employees of the federal government to file a claim for lost wages and medical expenses related to workplace injuries or occupational illnesses. If you have been hurt on the job, you must initiate the workers’ compensation process by filing a claim with the OWCP district officer. The initial claim will be filed through your employer or agency.

Once your claim is filed, it will be reviewed by an examiner, who will confirm that you have met the basic criteria to be eligible for benefits. You must show that:

• You filed your claim within the required time period. Your original claim for compensation must be submitted within three years of the injury.
• You were actively employed by the federal government at the time of your injury
• Your injury or illness was the result of a claimed accident
• You suffered your injury or illness in the performance of your job
• The medical condition for which you seek benefits is causally related to the claimed injury or illness

Even if you submit medical documentation of your injury, the examiner may request a second opinion from another physician. If the second physician’s report differs from your physician’s opinion, the claims examiner may determine if the opinions have equal weight or value. If so, the examiner may appoint a third physician (known as a referee physician) to render an independent medical opinion.

Your claim may be approved in full or in part, or it may be denied. If any part of your claim is denied, you have a right of appeal. You can request an oral hearing or review of the written record by the Branch of Hearings and Review. If this appeal is denied, you can seek a reconsideration of the claim decision by a different claims examiner. You can also ask for a review of your claim by the Employees Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB).

Contact the Law Office of Uliase & Uliase

To schedule 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.