OWCP Schedule Awards. If you’ve got a permanent impairment from a work injury, this could mean a lump-sum payout to help with the long haul. We’ll break it down for you injured feds: Who’s eligible? What’s the filing process? And what’s this “impairment rating” everyone’s talking about? Plus, we’ll touch on how this plays out for our maritime folks under Longshore—because OWCP covers more than just office desks and mail routes. Stick around; by the end, you’ll know exactly how to get what’s yours.

Alright, let’s start with the basics—who’s eligible for an OWCP Schedule Award under FECA, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act? Picture this: You’re a fed employee, you’ve had a work-related injury or illness that’s left you with a permanent hit to a specific body part or function. We’re talking arms, legs, hands, eyes, hearing, even lungs or your back if it’s messing with your extremities. If that impairment sticks around even after years of treatment as a permanent injury you would qualify and be eligible for a schedule award settlement with OWCP. Click on thee transcript for more information to source for scheduled awards.

The podcaster is Dr. Stephen Taylor, OWCP legal consultant for Oberheiden Law Firm. Dr. Taylor’s contact information is:

https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP / DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola Florida, Mississippi or Daphne Alabama you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan at the clinic at FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go to our website at https://fwcmedicalcenters.net/ or https://fedcompconsultants.com/

For responses email Dr. Taylor at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

For responses email Dr. Taylor at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

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The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) provides comprehensive protections for injured federal workers during the adjudication and appeals process for claim denials, including denials of wage-loss (off-work) benefits and impairment ratings for scheduled awards. While FECA does not explicitly prohibit an employing agency from initiating administrative actions like separation for extended absence, it establishes strong safeguards to maintain the status quo during ongoing OWCP proceedings. This includes continuation of benefits unless specific suspension criteria are met, restoration rights to duty, and job protections tied to disability status. These mechanisms prevent premature termination of employment or benefits while disputes are resolved.

Key principles:

- Benefits Continuation During Adjudication: Benefits already in payment generally continue pending resolution of denials or appeals, unless the claimant fails to cooperate (e.g., refusing examinations).

- Job Protection: While on approved FECA leave, absences are considered authorized, and agencies must provide leave without pay (LWOP) for at least one year. Restoration rights apply upon recovery, and agencies cannot treat the absence as unauthorized (e.g., AWOL) until OWCP finalizes work capacity. For more information click on transcript.

The podcaster is Dr. Stephen Taylor, OWCP legal consultant for Oberheiden Law Firm. Dr. Taylor’s contact information is:

https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP / DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola Florida, Mississippi or Daphne Alabama you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan at the clinic at FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go to our website at https://fwcmedicalcenters.net/ or https://mrtherapycenter.com/or https://fedcompconsultants.com/

For responses email Dr. Taylor at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

https://podcast.feedspot.com/workers_compensation_podcasts/?feedid=5557942&_src=f2_featured_email

Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast is an educational podcast that covers relevant federal workers compensation topics that affect injured government employees. Today's podcast covers relevant information about Impairment Ratings for a Schedule Award calculations and eligibility.

Schedule awards are for an OWCP accepted condition arising out of an on-the-job injury. The awards are generally for the permanent loss or use of a scheduled member of the body and usually not for the body as a whole.

As of July 2005 the appropriate method of evaluating the extent of any permanent impairment is found in the AMA's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 6th Edition, the use of which has been approved by the OWCP. Among the elements which may be considered in determining the extent of impairment are loss of motion, pain and weakness.

Summary of topics covered in this episode

- Evidence for Pay Rate: OWCP relies on the employing agency to provide documentation of the pay rate at the time of injury (e.g., SF-50 or payroll records). Ensure this is accurate when submitting your CA-7 form.

- Amended Awards: If you seek an amended award for increased impairment, the pay rate remains tied to the original injury date unless new work-related factors establish a later date of injury or recurrence.

- Lump Sum or Periodic Payments: Schedule Awards are typically paid in a lump sum if the employee is back to full duty or retired, but the total amount is still based on the injury-date pay rate, multiplied by the percentage of impairment and the weeks assigned to the body part.

For the latest guidance, check the FECA Procedure Manual Part 2, Chapter 2-0808, or consult with your OWCP claims examiner. If you're unsure about your specific pay rate calculation, provide OWCP with clear documentation from your employer to avoid delays.

The podcaster is Dr. Stephen Taylor, OWCP legal consultant for Oberheiden Law Firm. Dr. Taylor’s contact information is:

https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP / DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola Florida, Mississippi or Daphne Alabama you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan at the clinic at FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go to our website at https://fwcmedicalcenters.net/ or https://mrtherapycenter.com/or https://fedcompconsultants.com/

For responses please email Dr. Taylor at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

For responses email Dr. Taylor at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

https://podcast.feedspot.com/workers_compensation_podcasts/?feedid=5557942&_src=f2_featured_email