If you’re facing any problems getting the benefits you deserve, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann today.
Workers compensation programs are designed to provide financial support to injured workers. It covers the medical bills and replaces lost wages when the worker suffers an injury at work or becomes ill due to occupational exposure. Employers are required to purchase workers compensation insurance to cover their workers. However, workers compensation does not cover the federal workers working in Missouri. These workers are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) or another federal program.
Which Workers are Covered by FECA?
All civilian employees of the Federal Government are covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). These include employees of federal agencies and courts, non-military employees of military branches and postal workers. It also covers some special workers and volunteers including:
- Federal petit or grand jurors
- Peace Corps and Vista volunteers
- Volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol
- Job Corps, Youth Conservation Corps enrollees and Neighborhood Youth Corps
- Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets
- Others
Depending on the type of illness or injury, or the specific line of work, workers compensation benefits are also provided to federal employees under four disability programs including:
- Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC)
- Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC)
- Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (DCMWC)
- Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC)
How Does a Federal Employee Qualify for Benefits Under FECA?
Any injury or illness that is related to the person’s employment is covered under FECA or any other appropriate federal program. In order to qualify for the benefits, the workers must report the injury or illness, and provide adequate medical evidence.
After the claim is filed, the employer will verify that:
- The claim was file within the time frame se by FECA
- The injured person is an employee within the meaning of FECA
- The worker sustained an injury or illness
- The worker was performing his/her duty when the injury occurred
The worker cannot claim benefits if:
- The injury, illness or death occurred due to willful misconduct
- The injury or death was intentional
- The injury was caused due to intoxication
Medical Expenses Covered Under the FECA
All medical expenses are covered under the FECA. When a Federal employee suffers an injury at work, he/she should seek medical attention after reporting the injury. The employee is allowed to choose his/her own doctor, and is reimbursed for expenses once the claim is approved by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).
Need Legal Help?
If you are not sure of whether you are covered under a federal or state workers compensation program, you should talk to your human resource manager or employer. Regardless of whether you are covered by state or federal workers compensation program, you should report your injury immediately and seek medical attention. In case you face any problems getting the benefits you deserve, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online contact form.