As a federal worker, you may be entitled to payment of benefits under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) for any injuries suffered on the job. However, to obtain benefits, you must submit to a medical evaluation by a physician chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor. Based on that examination, you may be asked to return to work on a limited or modified duty assignment.

The Process

If the examining doctor asserts that you have the ability to return to work with limited or modified duty, your employer may contact the workers’ compensation claims examiner to inquire about a proposed job. If the examiner concludes that the position is appropriate and available, your employer may then extend an offer to you. You then have 30 days to respond.

The first thing you want to do is discuss the potential job offer with your own doctor. You can reject the job offer, but you must have a valid reason, and you want medical evidence to support that decision. Your doctor may determine that you have either physical or mental limitations that make a proposed position unacceptable, but must be as specific as possible about what those limitations are and how they will negatively affect you and your job performance.

If you reject the job offer, the workers’ compensation claims examiner must either seek a second medical opinion. You will then be examined by another DOL approved doctor.

If your doctor clears you to return to limited or modified duty, the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP) may request that you participate in vocational rehabilitation. As with the job offer, you have 30 days to respond, and you may reject the request with appropriate medical support.

Contact Uliase & Uliase

At Uliase & Uliase, we have decades of experience representing federal workers in work-related injury claims. To schedule an appointment, contact our office online or call us at (856) 310-9002. We will meet with you weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We offer a free consultation for injured workers.