Tips for Making Successful Federal Workers Compensation Claims

Have you recently experienced an injury during your work shift? If you're injured at work or while performing your job. Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) and the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP) should cover your medical treatments and some of your wages while you recover. 

This is because federal workers' compensation is specifically designed to pay for injuries and illnesses that federal civilian employees experience at their place of employment or because of their job duties. 

The process starts when you make an official report to your manager or human resources department, and they file a federal employee compensation claim. In this article, we'll take a look at what information is needed to file federal workers' compensation claims.

What Benefits Does Workers Compensation Provide Federal Employees

The federal employee compensation act aids federal civilian employees who have sustained work-related injuries by providing compensation for lost wages, permanent impairment, medical care benefits, physiotherapy, pain management, medicines, chiropractic treatments, and vocational rehabilitation and training help in returning to work. It also provides benefits to survivors of the employee's immediate family if a work-related injury or disease causes death. 

Federal employee compensation provides:

• Medical Treatment Payments – Payments to healthcare workers, clinics, and hospitals where the injured employee receives treatment.
• A Portion of the Employee's Wages – Workers comp pays a portion of the employee's wages while they are unable to work due to their injury or illness.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Payments – A portion of the employee's lost wages if they are considered partially or fully short or long-term disabled.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Payments – Programs and reskill employees and help them deal with their new limitations while they look for a new job or get ready to restart their old position.
• Funeral Expenses or Survivor Benefits – Workers comp usually pays the funeral expenses or survivors benefits, sometimes called death benefits, to the survivors of the employee's immediate family.

What Is The Federal Employee Comp Injury Claim Process?

The federal workers' comp injury claims process is the series of steps that your employer takes after you are injured on the job.

For example, Motor vehicle accidents are common workplace injuries for federal employees that can be fatal or cause serious injuries. The most common causes of road accidents unrelated to human error are motor vehicle malfunction, poorly maintained roadways, and weather-related accidents. 

A federal employee who suffers a head injury, TBI, fracture, or internal organ can seek benefits through the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA).

Getting a federal employee's claim approved is a challenge. Let's dive into the federal employee compensation claims process in detail.

Speak To Your Supervisor About Your Injury and File A Claim.

The first step is filing a claim. From a federal civilian employee perspective, this means going to your immediate supervisor and telling them you are injured. From there, you'll likely be asked to fill out some paperwork regarding the incident. Pictures of your injury may also be taken.

Seek Medical Attention As Soon As Possible.

Your employer may direct you to a doctor or urgent care center to get seen as soon as possible after your accident. If you are severely injured, you may be taken by ambulance to the emergency room. It's also important not to delay telling your employer about your injury as it could affect the outcome of your claim.

Gather All Of The Necessary Documentation.

Make sure you keep records of everything related to your workplace injury or illness. This includes copies of any medical treatments you receive and any pictures of the injury and the place or area in the building where you were injured. 

This can help improve the speed at which your claim is processed and help you get reimbursed for your expenses.

Keep Track Of Your Expenses Related To Your Injury.

Keep track of all the expenses you incur as a result of your workplace injury or illness. This includes any copays or coinsurance you had to pay from your pocket as well as first aid supplies or medical equipment that you may have had to purchase to aid in your recovery. Workers' compensation should reimburse you for all your medical expenses.

Cooperate With Your Supervisor And OWCP Consultants During The Claims Process.

Always make sure to fully cooperate with your supervisor and the Office of Workers Compensation Programs when it comes to your federal employee compensation claim. 

This could mean retelling how you were injured or submitting additional documentation about your injury. The more cooperative you are, the faster your claim can be processed.

Hire An Experienced Federal Workers' Compensation Attorney

If your federal workers' compensation claims are denied or your benefits are delayed for an unusual amount of time, you may want to enlist the help of a federal employee compensation attorney. 

Federal employee compensation attorneys can help you through the process of appealing a denial and getting you the money you need to pay your medical bills and living expenses while you recover. 

This can be extremely helpful if you've been denied due to having a preexisting condition, all of your medical expenses were not paid or you feel as though your doctor cleared you to return to work too quickly after your work-related injury or illness.

Call Our Federal Workers' Compensation Clinic For An Appointment Today!

Federal workers' compensation is designed to pay for all of your medical expenses if you experience a work-related injury or illness. This can include medical services such as chiropractic care, pain management, and physiotherapy, which are all beneficial for back, neck, and joint injuries, including repetitive motion injuries, like carpel tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.

Federal civilian employees are eligible for federal worker's compensation benefits if they are injured while on the job. Zaker Chiropractic Pain and Wellness of Newport Beach has a Federal Injury Institute that can help with DOL-OWCP workers' compensation claims.

To learn more about our Workers Comp medical services and how they can help you heal from your workplace injury, give us a call at 949-734-4454.