Federal Workers Compensation

Federal Workers' Compensation

Federal workers compensation is a program to provide benefits to federal employees. The program came into being as a result of the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) passed in 1916. The program is administered by the Department of Labor through the Office of Worker Compensation Programs (OWCP). Workers Comp laws provide protection to workers who are injured or become ill as a consequence of work related job performance. Individuals injured on the job while employed by private companies are covered by individual state Workers Comp Laws.

When injured on the job, eligibility rules must be met and procedures for filing a claim must be followed. Although one does not need an attorney to file a claim the complex nature of the rules makes it advisable to seek legal council from experienced lawyers who understand the federal workers compensation laws to guarantee a full reward.

Requirements that must be met in filing federal workers compensation claim:

• The claim must be filed in a timely fashion set by the FECA.
  
• The injured or deceased person must be a Federal/Civil Employee.
  
• The employee actually developed a medical condition in a particular way.
  
• The employee was performing his duties when the event leading to the claim occurred.
  
• The medical condition found resulted from the event leading to the claim.
  

Federal workers are a special class of employees, who when hurt on the job, are protected by the Federal Employees Compensation Act. The act covers non-military, federal employees, specifically all civilian employees of the United States, except those paid from non-appropriated funds. The provisions of the act are typical of Workers Comp Laws. Monetary awards are provided for disability or death that occurred in the performance of work related duties but not caused willfully by the employee or by intoxication. There are also provisions that cover medical expenses related to the disability. An Employee may also undergo some job retraining required by the law. Other provisions provide for the survivors of the deceased worker. The advice of experienced lawyers will help protect yur rights.

Updated: LW