Federal workers’ compensation generally pays about two-thirds of your regular wages if you’re injured on the job. If you have dependents, you may receive up to 75% of your wages. These benefits are tax-free and are meant to cover lost income while you recover.
The exact amount you receive depends on your salary, the severity of your injury, and whether you can return to work in some capacity. In addition to wage replacement, federal workers’ compensation may also cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and certain travel expenses related to your care.
An Atlanta federal workers’ compensation lawyer can help you recover.
How Wage Replacement Works
If you’re a federal employee who gets injured or becomes ill because of your job, you may be eligible to receive wage replacement benefits through the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). These benefits are designed to partially replace the income you lose while you’re unable to work.
Percentage of wage replacement:
- 66 2/3% of your regular wages if you don’t have any dependents
- 75% of your regular wages if you do have one or more dependents (such as a spouse or children who rely on your income)
These benefits are meant to help you keep up with basic living expenses while you recover. All federal workers’ compensation payments are generally tax-free. This means you don’t have to pay federal income tax on the money you receive, which allows your benefits to stretch farther than taxable income.
Other Types of Federal Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Federal workers’ compensation doesn’t just replace part of your lost wages; it also covers other important costs related to your injury or illness. These benefits help you get the care and support you need to recover and move forward.
Here’s what else may be covered:
- Medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications, as outlined in §8103 of FECA
- Rehabilitation services to help you regain strength or mobility after an injury
- Travel costs for going to and from approved medical appointments
- Vocational training if you can’t return to your old job and need to learn new skills for a different work
Temporary vs. Permanent Disability Payments
Federal workers’ compensation provides different types of payments depending on how serious your injury is and how long it affects your ability to work.
Temporary Disability Payments
Temporary disability payments are for workers who are expected to recover. These benefits cover part of your lost wages while you heal and are unable to return to your job. Once you recover and go back to work, these payments stop.
Permanent Disability Payments
Permanent disability payments are for workers who suffer lasting injuries that affect their ability to work permanently. If your injury leaves you with a permanent physical or mental condition, you may receive long-term benefits.
Scheduled Injury Payments
There are also scheduled injury payments, which provide a set amount of money for the loss or permanent damage of specific body parts, such as an arm, leg, eye, or hearing ability. The amount and length of these payments are based on a schedule set by law.
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Who Is Covered by Federal Workers’ Compensation?
Federal workers’ compensation covers most employees who work for the United States government. If you’re injured while doing your job, you may be eligible for benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).
Federal workers’ compensation covers a wide range of jobs within the U.S. government. It applies to most civilian employees, whether they work in an office, in the field, or at a specialized federal agency.
It doesn’t matter if the job is full-time, part-time, or temporary; if the federal government officially employs you and you get injured while doing your work duties, you are likely covered.
Examples of jobs covered:
- Postal workers (USPS)
- TSA agents
- Veterans Affairs (VA) employees
- IRS workers
- FBI agents
- Park rangers
- Customs and Border Protection officers
- Social Security Administration staff
- Department of Defense civilian employees
- Federal court employees
Independent contractors and military service members are generally not covered under FECA.
How Federal Workers’ Compensation Works in Georgia
If you work for the federal government in Georgia, you are not covered by the state’s workers’ compensation system. Instead, your benefits come through the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).
FECA is handled by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor. This means your claim goes through a federal process, not the Georgia state system.
This applies to anyone employed by a federal agency, whether you work in a government office, at the airport, in the postal service, or in a federal hospital. If you’re a federal employee injured on the job in Georgia, an Atlanta injury lawyer familiar with federal claims can guide you through the process and protect your rights.
Call an Experienced Federal Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Atlanta
If you were hurt while working for the federal government in Atlanta, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next. Your health, income, and future are on the line, but you don’t have to face it alone.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping injured federal workers in Georgia since 2003. Our team knows how the system works and what it takes to fight for the benefits you deserve. You’ve done your job; now let us do ours. Contact The Strong Arm™ today to get the support and legal guidance you need.
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