How do pre-existing conditions affect Federal Workers’ Compensation claims?
Any individual may have preexisting injuries or difficulties or conditions prior to their accident. If their on-the-job accident as a federal employee makes that preexisting condition worse, then it would be covered. It would be up to the physician to show that the person suffered either temporary exacerbation or permanent injury to that preexisting… Read More »
When should I pursue my schedule award?
The schedule award is payable for permanent impairment sustained to a particular body part, that’s on the schedule. But you have to have permanent impairment. That’s not determined until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, according to your doctor. So for instance if you injure your shoulder, you may have shoulder surgery, you may have… Read More »
Can I receive Federal Workers’ Compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits at the same time?
Yes, you can. However, the workers’ compensation benefits are considered primary, which means they pay their full amount for wages, and the medical care for all workers’ comp injuries are covered through workers’ comp. Anything not workers’ comp medical would be covered by Social Security. As far as the wages go, they pay a… Read More »
Do I need a lawyer to file an OWCP claim?
No, you don’t. You can file your own claim with the OWCP. The question is whether or not it gets accepted or denied. If it’s denied, it may prove to be very difficult for you to convince the Department of Labor and the OWCP to accept your claim. At that point, I would recommend… Read More »
