Atlanta OWCP Lawyer: Federal Workers’ Compensation
If you’re a federal employee who’s been injured on the job, you may be feeling overwhelmed by paperwork, deadlines, and confusing government rules. That’s where an Atlanta OWCP lawyer can help. At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta, we help injured federal workers navigate the claims process through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).
As experienced Atlanta federal workers’ compensation lawyers, we understand how federal cases differ from Georgia workers’ comp claims. From federal postal workers and TSA agents to VA employees and others covered by the FECA (Federal Employees’ Compensation Act), we fight for your rights every step of the way.
OWCP: Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
If you’re a federal employee in Georgia and suffer an injury at work, your workers’ compensation benefits come through the federal government rather than the state. This is because federal employees are covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), not Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws.
Filing a claim through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) allows you to request medical treatment, wage replacement, and other benefits related to your injury or illness.
The program operates under a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove your employer was at fault, only that your injury or illness is job-related. An experienced Atlanta OWCP lawyer can provide guidance through each stage of your claim.
Who Is Covered by Federal Workers’ Compensation?
Not all workers are covered under the state workers’ compensation system. If you’re a civilian employee of the federal government, you may be eligible to file an OWCP claim under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). This law provides benefits for federal employees who are injured on the job or develop a medical condition due to their work duties.
You may be eligible to file an OWCP claim if you are a:
- U.S. Postal Service employee
- TSA officer
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee
- A civilian working for the Department of Defense
- A federal law enforcement or a homeland security agent
- A civilian employee of another federal agency
FECA covers both traumatic injuries, such as slips, falls, or lifting accidents, and occupational diseases, which develop over time due to repetitive stress, exposure to hazardous materials, or long-term strain.
An experienced Atlanta OWCP lawyer can help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the claims process.
How an Atlanta OWCP Lawyer Can Help
Filing an OWCP claim as a federal employee can feel confusing and overwhelming. An experienced Atlanta OWCP lawyer can take the pressure off by helping you understand your rights, meet important deadlines, and avoid common mistakes. Having legal guidance early in the process can make a big difference in how smoothly your claim moves forward.
Navigating the OWCP Claims Process
The OWCP claim process involves strict rules, forms, and documentation requirements. Your lawyer can help you gather the right medical records, complete necessary forms like CA-1 or CA-2, and make sure your claim is filed properly with your federal agency.
This is especially important because even small errors or missing information can lead to delays or denials. An Atlanta federal workers’ compensation lawyer knows how to work with the OWCP system and can help make sure your case stays on track.
Maximizing FECA Workers’ Compensation Benefits
An attorney can also help you make the most of the benefits available under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). These may include medical treatment, wage loss compensation, schedule awards, and vocational rehabilitation. A knowledgeable lawyer will review your situation and make sure you’re pursuing all benefits that apply to your case, not just the basics.
Appealing a Denied OWCP Claim
If your OWCP claim is denied, a lawyer can help you appeal the decision. The appeals process can involve requesting a reconsideration, filing for a hearing, or submitting your case for review by the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB). Each step comes with its own rules and deadlines. Having a skilled Atlanta OWCP lawyer by your side gives you a better chance of reversing a denial and getting your claim approved.
Workers’ Compensation OWCP Benefits
If you’ve been injured while working as a federal employee, you may be entitled to benefits through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). OWCP benefits typically include coverage for medical treatment and wage replacement if you’re unable to work.
Medical Benefits
OWCP covers reasonable and necessary medical treatments related to a work injury or occupational illness. This includes doctor visits, hospital care, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, medical devices, and transportation costs for treatment.
Wage Replacement Benefits
If you’re a federal employee who gets hurt on the job, you may be eligible for wage replacement benefits through the OWCP.
- Continuation of Pay (COP): If you experience a traumatic injury, you can receive your full salary for up to 45 days while your claim is being reviewed.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If your disability lasts beyond the 45-day COP period, you may receive 66 2/3% of your regular pay, or 75% if you have one or more dependents.
- Permanent Total Disability: If you have a permanent disability and are unable to work at all, benefits can continue for a lifetime.
OWCP Schedule Award (Permanent Impairment)
Schedule awards are for permanent, work-related injuries to specific body parts. You may qualify once you’ve finished medical treatment and reached “Maximum Medical Improvement” (MMI), meaning your condition is as good as it’s going to get.
The payment amount is based on three main factors:
- Body Part: Different body parts have a set number of weeks (for example, an arm = 312 weeks, a leg = 288 weeks).
- Impairment Rating: This is a percentage showing how much function you’ve lost.
- Compensation Rate: This is usually about 66 2/3% of your pay, or 75% if you have dependents.
Death and Survivor Benefits
When a federal employee passes away due to a job-related injury or illness, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) offers financial support to eligible surviving family members.
A surviving spouse may receive up to 50% of the employee’s salary. If the deceased had any dependent children, survivor benefits may pay up to 75% of the worker’s salary.
The OWCP also helps with funeral and burial costs.
How to File an OWCP Claim
Obtaining federal workers’ compensation benefits through an OWCP claim involves several steps. An Atlanta OWCP can help you navigate this often confusing process.
Reporting Your Injury
Inform your supervisor as soon as you can, ideally right after the injury or symptoms begin. Work-related injuries must be reported within 30 days to stay eligible for benefits. If you’re dealing with an occupational illness, you should report it as soon as you become aware of both the condition and its link to your job duties.
Submitting Paperwork and Medical Documentation
You will need to fill out a specific form: Form CA-1 for traumatic injuries or Form CA-2 for occupational diseases.
It’s important to tell your doctor that your condition is work-related, as your claim will require a medical report that links your injury or illness to your job. This medical evidence must be detailed and explain how your work caused or contributed to your condition.
Claim Decision and Next Steps
The OWCP may accept your claim, request more information, or deny it.
- If your claim is approved, you’ll receive benefits.
- If more information is needed, you’ll receive a letter detailing what is missing and a deadline (often 30 days) to provide it.
- If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. The appeals process can include asking for reconsideration, requesting a formal hearing, or appealing to the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB).
FECA Workers’ Compensation Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my doctor with OWCP/FECA?
You can choose your doctor with a FECA/OWCP claim, but if you want to change doctors after your initial selection, you must get approval from OWCP. It’s wise to choose an experienced OWCP doctor who specializes in these cases. Our Atlanta attorneys understand the rules for OWCP medical coverage and can help you find a qualified physician.
What is the deadline to file an OWCP claim?
The deadline to file an FECA workers’ compensation claim is generally three years from either:
- The date of your injury, or
- The date you first realized that your health problem was related to your work activity.
For traumatic injuries (like accidents or sudden events at work), the clock starts on the day the injury happens. For occupational illnesses (conditions that develop over time), the deadline starts when you first become aware, or should reasonably have been aware, that your job caused the condition.
Can I be fired while on OWCP?
For federal employees under OWCP, your agency can terminate you if they have a valid reason unrelated to your injury, but cannot fire you simply because you were injured or filed a claim. If you are terminated for an illegal reason, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim.
Contact an Atlanta OWCP Lawyer Today
Navigating a federal workers’ compensation claim through the OWCP can be complicated and stressful, especially when you’re trying to focus on your health. Whether you’re just starting the claims process or dealing with delays, denials, or confusion about your benefits, you don’t have to go through it alone. An experienced Atlanta OWCP lawyer can give you the support and guidance you need to move forward with confidence.
At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta, we’re committed to helping injured federal employees understand their rights and get the help they need. From filing your initial claim to handling appeals, we’re here to answer your questions and advocate on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.
