What is the Federal Employees' Compensation Act?

Enacted in 1916, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act program provides benefits to federal employees who have sustained work-related injuries or illnesses. It is administered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) and covers approximately 2.7 million laborers, making it the largest self-insured workers’ compensation system in the world.

Who is Covered by this Act?

Civil officers and employees in any branch of the United States government are eligible for the benefits under this Act regardless of the number of years of service, position, or work performed.

However, the federal government must employ you, so if you are a private government contractor, you would not be covered by FECA. Generally, when you work for a private company, state workers' compensation laws will cover you.

If you are injured while performing job duties or develop a disease due to your working conditions, you may qualify for the compensation benefits. You will not receive benefits if the injury or death was purposefully caused or if it occurred while intoxicated or under the influence.

When you report an injury or disease, you will file the following forms respectively:

• Form CA-1: Federal Employee's Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation

• Form CA-2: Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Once your claim has been accepted, you will begin to receive your benefits. The benefits include:

• Medical treatment: FECA will cover all medical treatment related to the claim, such as rehabilitation, surgery, and prescriptions.

• Lost wages: You may be eligible for lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injury or occupational disease.

• Vocational retraining: The OWCP provides services, including counseling and guidance, if the injury or illness has caused a disability.

• Survivor’s benefits: These are the benefits provided to family members of federal employees who have died as a result of a work-related injury or illness.

Contact The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC

If your claim has been denied or you have any questions, our federal employment law firm will help you obtain the benefits you deserve. We can guide you through the complex process and make it easier for you to focus on what matters most— your recovery.

If you are a federal employee and have been injured on the job, don’t wait another day to get started. Schedule a consultation with our team by calling (202) 350-3881.