If you are a federal employee and you’ve suffered a work-related injury, it’s important to be seen by a DOL doctor as soon as possible to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Getting injured at work is never an enjoyable experience, but if you’re a federal employee, there are certain protocols and steps you need to take to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible, and seeking out an approved DOL doctor is the first step to take.
At Affinity Integrated Healthcare, our doctors specialize in treating federal employees from all types of diseases and injuries, including:
- Neck or back pain
- Hand or wrist pain
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Knee pain
- Foot or ankle pain
- And more
Federal Employees Injured on the Job
When you’re a federal employee that has been injured on the job, you will quickly learn about a variety of different acronyms that represent various programs and acts that apply to your situation.
Here are a few you need to know:
- FECA– This refers to The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, which is a US federal law that was enacted on September 7th, 1916. The Act established compensation to federal civil service employees who were injured on the job and lost wages.
Federal employees are eligible for benefits no matter how long they’ve been on the job or which type of work they do. If the injury occurred while you were doing your work duties, you are covered.
- OWCP- This refers to The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which administers four major disability compensation programs to certain workers or their dependents when there is a work-related injury or occupational disease. The benefits include wage replacement, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and others.
- The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
- The Federal Employees’ Compensation Program
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program
- The Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation Program
- DOL- This refers to the Department of Labor, which is one of the executive departments of the US federal government. It’s responsible for administering federal laws that govern occupational safety and health, unemployment benefits, wage and hour standards, and others.
The four disability compensation programs include:
Getting the Benefits, You Deserve
Federal employees cover a vast range of occupations that include:
- Administrative
- Technical
- Professional
- Clerical
- Blue-collar
- Other, such as firefighters, detectives, and correctional officers
Some of the rights these employees have under OWCP, include:
- Being treated by the physician of your choice
- Receiving all medical services, appliances, or supplies that are required
- Transportation for receiving medical care
- Compensation for temporary total disability
- Cost of living increases
- Settlements with third parties
- And more
If you’re a federal employee in Libertyville, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Deerfield or any city in Lake County, and you’ve been injured on the job, call us today at (847) 680-3900 to schedule your phone consultation with Aimee.