FAQs

The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) is a law that provides benefits for civilian employees of the United States who have suffered work-related injuries or occupational diseases. These benefits include payment of medical expenses and compensation for wage loss. FECA also provides for payment of benefits to dependents of employees who die from work-related injuries or diseases. FECA does not provide retirement benefits. Employees who fully or partially recover from their injuries are expected to return to work. FECA provides vocational rehabilitation services to partially disabled employees for this purpose.

FECA is administered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), under the authority of the U.S. Department of Labor, through 12 district offices located across the nation.

All civilian employees of the United States, except those paid from non-appropriated funds, are covered by FECA and entitled to FECA benefits. Special legislation provides coverage to Peace Corps and VISTA volunteers; federal petit or grand jurors; volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol; Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets; Job Corps, Neighborhood Youth Corps and Youth Conservation Corps enrollees; and non-federal law enforcement officers under certain circumstances involving crimes against the United States. FECA coverage is extended to federal employees regardless of the length of time on the job or the type of position held. Probationary, temporary and term employees are covered on the same basis as permanent employees. Also, part-time, seasonal and intermittent employees are covered by FECA.

Nothing. Federal civilian employees are covered by virtue of their employment status.

All kinds of injuries, including diseases caused by employment, are covered if they occur in the performance of duty. However, benefits cannot be paid if injury or death is caused by willful misconduct of the injured employee, by intent to bring about the injury or death of oneself or another, or by intoxication of the injured employee. Existing diseases and illnesses that are aggravated, accelerated or precipitated by the employment may also be covered. In order for this coverage to occur, however, the federal employee must submit medical and factual evidence showing that the employment aggravated, accelerated or precipitated the medical condition.

All federal workers who are injured on the job are instructed to seek relief through FECA. This legislation has been in existence for nearly a century, and it is provided as a benefit of federal employment. Most medical providers (and attorneys) have little to no experience with FECA claims. Fortunately, we do. FedCare has been providing injury care for federal workers for well over 30 years. We’ll not only provide you with the best medical care in the diagnosis and treatment of your injury, but we’ll also help file your FECA claim correctly.

The entire team at FedCare is committed to walking you through the recovery process, from filing the correct claims forms, to proper diagnosis and treatment, to rehab and prescriptions, and ultimately, to your recovery and wellness. The process typically begins with a consultation and medical evaluation, during which our medical team will evaluate, assess and diagnose your work-related injury, determine the level (rating) of your impairment respective to your job function, develop an individualized treatment plan and, as applicable, immediately begin treating your injury. View our services here.

For additional questions contact Emili Ruiz, our Federal Workers’ Compensation Coordinator. She has the expertise to help you, and she can answer many of the questions you may have concerning your FECA claim. Please call our office at (405) 219-2651 and ask for Emili. Also, the Department of Labor’s website provides a lot of information about FECA, and if you’re specifically looking for FECA forms, many of the most commonly used forms can be found on our forms and resources page.