Eligible Employees Covered by Federal Workers’ Compensation 

Accidents at work happen all the time, but if you are a federal employee, you might wonder if there is workers’ compensation if you were seriously hurt. As bills pile up and you miss time from work, you need to know who is going to pay for them. There are many eligible employees covered by federal workers’ compensation. You may need help navigating the system and getting the compensation that you are entitled to, so call our trained federal workers’ compensation lawyers.

What Is Federal Workers’ Compensation?

In 1916, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) passed and was signed into law to protect federal employees from injuries they received on the job. This also includes employees who become ill in some way due to the job they perform for the federal government. An employee who receives federal workers’ compensation will be in touch with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) which administers the program.

An eligible employee covered by federal workers’ compensation needs to act immediately following an injury or illness to ensure they get the benefits they deserve. FECA drove the creation of workers’ compensation laws and policies for many states. It also played a role in developing health insurance.

Which Employees Are Covered by Federal Workers’ Compensation?

All employees of the federal government are covered by federal workers’ compensation. This includes:

  • Full and part-time federal employees
  • Employees of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of the government
  • People enrolled in the Job Corps, Neighborhood Youth Corps, and Youth Conservation Corps
  • Volunteers, such as people working with the Peace Corps
  • Members of the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary
  • In some specific circumstances, non-federal law enforcement officers
  • Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets

The only exception to the coverage is employees who are paid by non-appropriated funds. They are not eligible for federal workers’ comp benefits.

What Does Federal Workers’ Compensation Cover?

An eligible employee covered by federal workers’ compensation is entitled to payment for medical expenses and more. It is similar to the workers’ compensation that most employees have at their non-federal government jobs. These benefits include:

  • Medical expenses, such as doctor’s bills, medications, and treatments and testing
  • Lost wages of two-thirds of their regular salary up to a maximum payout determined by most recent laws
  • Payments to any dependents if there was a loss of life due to injury or disease
  • Any needed vocational rehabilitation for the federal employee to return to work

A federal employee must file the claim according to a set timeframe and in the correct manner. The OWCP denies many of these claims, which is why an eligible employee should work with an attorney.

McCready Law Represents Eligible Employees Covered by Federal Workers’ Compensation

At McCready Law, we know that your case must be filed within two years or settled out of court to protect your rights. If you are an eligible employee covered by federal workers’ compensation, you need a partner to help you get the compensation you need to pay the medical bills and cover your bills while you recover. Our personal injury law firm represents you with care and compassion, and we never back down from a fight to get you the funds you deserve. Contact us now.