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What is The Federal Employment Compensation Act

If you are a federal employee, you are subject to different workers’ compensation regulations than other employees. Because your employment is governed by federal law, regardless of the state where you are employed. In addition, some federal employees have separate workers’ compensation regulations including railroad workers or seamen.

How Are Federal Employees Covered?

Federal employees are covered under the Federal Employee’s Compensation Act (FECA). If you are disabled or die after an injury or if you are diagnosed with a disease related to your job duties, you may be covered by FECA. The requirement is that the injury or illness must have been sustained in the performance of duty. You are covered under FECA no matter how long you have held your federal job or what type of position you hold. Like other workers’ compensation benefits, you are eligible for lost wages and medical benefits. You may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation if you become partially disabled.

What Employees Are Covered?

Any civilian employee, except those paid from non-appropriate funds are covered under FECA. This includes Peace Corps and Vista volunteers as well as petit or grand jurors in federal courts. Volunteers for Civil Air Patrol, Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets, Job Corps, Neighborhood Youth Corps and Youth Conservation Corps enrollees are also covered under FECA. Under circumstances involving crimes against the United States, non-federal law enforcement officers may also be covered.

Claim Requirements

Almost all injuries sustained as part of your job are covered, although they cannot be caused by willful misconduct or intoxication. Your injury may also not be covered if you intended to injury yourself or another. You must provide medical and factual evidence in order to file a claim. The claim must be filed within three years of the date of the injury and you must show that you were an employee within the meaning of FECA. You must also prove that the injury or illness was caused in a particular way and that it was during the performance of your job.

If you or a loved one were injured while performing your duties as a federal employee, contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Lundy Law to learn what rights you may have. Our attorneys will review your case and determine if you qualify for FECA or another benefit that can provide you with lost wages as well as medical benefits. You can arrange for an initial, no obligation consultation by completing the simple form on our website or calling 1-800-Lundy Law.