3 Keys to Understanding Federal Workers’ Compensation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the federal government employs more workers than any other enterprise, with over 2 million employees, excluding post office employees and soldiers. This number is drastically increased if the total amount of government contractors is considered, as well. With this in mind, the workers’ compensation plans for the federal government can seem intricate at best and confusing otherwise.

If you have been injured while on the job and work for the government, you may be entitled to compensation but may not know how to properly file for it. For help with your compensation filing, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.

Important Aspects of Federal Workers’ Compensation

Though it may seem, in principle, as if the process of seeking workers’ compensation as a federal employee would be fairly straightforward, this is not always the case. The following are some important aspects of federal workers’ compensation which one must understand in order to know how to ensure that his or her rights are protected.

#1: Many laws exist to deal with different cases of compensation.

Federal workers’ and contractors’ compensation laws are spread out across a massive body of legislation. Different workers may apply different standards to their compensation cases. Because of this, finding an advisor who can offer specific guidance is invaluable.

#2: There are different forms and paperwork due to the varying requirements.

As with any other compensation case, federal compensation requires a substantial amount of paperwork. Also, following the proper procedure can help a worker increase their chances of receiving timely and sufficient compensation for their injuries. On the flip side, filing incorrectly can drastically slow down the compensation process or lead to the outright rejection of a claim.

#3: The military files for compensation under a completely separate system.

Military law does not work in the same way as civilian law. In particular, a military service member injured while on active duty does not file for compensation like any other federal employee. Also, there is no injury litigation option for soldiers. A legal protection known as the Feres Doctrine keeps injury liability lawsuits away from the federal government for active duty service members.

Contact Us

If you have sustained an injury while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation coverage for your medical bills and the time you’ve lost at work. To discuss your options further, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., by calling 215-238-1130 today.