Initiating Claims with OWCP.

Procedures initiating claims with OWCP for an employee who has (A)

suffered a Traumatic Injury, (B) suffers from an Occupational Injury or

Disease, (C) Recurrence of Injury or Disease, and (D) Death:

Seasosn 5 podcast episode 1 explaining how OWCP works from an OWCP Claims examiner's training. Today we are going over something I have never addressed in the podcast before…we are going to teach OWCP from OWCP Claims Examiner training material. In order to be successful with communication with an OWCP claims examiner, it is important to understand what they are trained to do, trained to look for and how to meet the eligibility requirements from their training and understanding. It helps to understand how to speak the language that the OWCP claims examiner is trained in.

Click on the transcript for more information to source for Initiating Claims with OWCP

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, Southern Mississippi or Daphne Alabama you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan at the clinic at FWC Medical Centers or M & R Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or 813-877-6900 in Tampa 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

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A psychiatric condition is accepted under FECA only if a qualified mental health professional diagnoses an emotional condition and provides a rationalized opinion that it was directly caused or substantially aggravated by specific, substantiated incidents or conditions of federal employment — not by general job stress or properly conducted personnel actions.

If you are pursuing such a claim, almost all successful claimants use an attorney or experienced representative who specializes in federal workers’ compensation, because the medical and factual causation burdens are extremely high.

. Medical Causation Requirements for Establishing a Psychological DSM-5 Diagnosis for a Federal Employee Work-Related Injury

Under FECA, a psychological condition (e.g., PTSD, major depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder per DSM-5 criteria) qualifies as a compensable "injury" if it arises out of and in the course of employment (5 U.S.C. § 8101(5); FECA PM Part 2, Chapter 2-0200). Emotional/psychiatric claims are scrutinized closely due to their subjective nature, and OWCP applies the Lillian Cutler criteria from ECAB precedent (28 ECAB 125 (1976)) to establish eligibility.

Click on the 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

Support the show

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

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CA-7 Form is used When the CE first becomes aware that the claimant is disabled from work (even if the COP period has not expired or a wage-loss claim has not yet been received).

(b) The first CA-7, Claim for Compensation, is approved for a nonintermittent period of leave without pay, and medical evidence supports continued disability from work. The CA-7 form asks the claimant to reportall earnings from employment (outside of his/her federal job) for the period claimed on the CA-7. The claimant is specifically advised to include all employment for which salary, wages, sales commissions, etc. are received. By signing the form, the claimant is certifying the accuracy and truthfulness of the information contained on the form.

The Form CA-7 (Claim for Compensation) is the official U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) form that an injured federal employee (or their survivor) uses to request monetary compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).

Click on the 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

Support the show

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

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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 the 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

Support the show

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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

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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

Support the show

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

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In this episode of the Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Taylor, a seasoned OWCP and federal healthcare consultant, provides an update on the OWCP Appeal Process. Dr. Taylor discusses FECA ACT § 10.600 which covers how can final decisions of OWCP be reviewed?

There are three methods for reviewing a formal decision of the OWCP (§§ 10.125 through 10.127 discuss how decisions are made). These methods are: reconsideration by the district office; a hearing before an OWCP hearing representative; and appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB). For each method there are time limitations and other restrictions which may apply, and not all options are available for all decisions, so the employee should consult the requirements set forth below. Further rules governing appeals to the ECAB are found at part 501 of this title. Dr. Taylor discusses the 3 different types of appeals, rights, responsibilities, rules and provisions of each type of appeal. Dr. Taylor also discusses tips, strategies and tutorials for each type of appeal. Dr. Taylor presents ways to understand how to successfully navigate the appeals process.

Dr. Taylor’s contact information is: fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP / DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola Florida, south Georgia, 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://fedcompconsultants.com/ or https://fwcmedicalcenters.net/

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

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

Support the show

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

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

In this episode of the Federal Workers Compensation Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Taylor, a seasoned OWCP and federal healthcare consultant, provides an update on effectively communicating with the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) as an injured federal employee. The podcast focuses on using the Employees' Compensation Operations & Management Portal (ECOMP) for online correspondence, including registering an account, uploading documents with a nine-digit case number, and tracking submissions via a Digital Control Number (DCN). Dr. Taylor advises against using work or military emails due to restrictions and highlights the importance of adhering to file size (5 MB) and format (e.g., PDF, Word) guidelines. Communication via ECOMP is preferred over email, as OWCP does not accept evidence or provide substantive responses through email. For phone inquiries, the OWCP general line is (202) 513-6860, with an interactive phone tree for case status and other information. Written inquiries should be mailed to the OWCP Federal Employees Program in London, KY, particularly for forms OWCP 915 and 957, which require postal submission. For unresolved issues, employees can escalate concerns through ECOMP or seek congressional assistance. Responses to ECOMP uploads are tracked, but delays may require escalation or congressional intervention.

Dr. Taylor’s contact information is: fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com

If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP / DOL claim in Tamps, Pensacola Florida. south 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://fedcompconsultants.com/

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

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

Support the show

FEEDSPOT TOP 10 National Workers Compensation Podcast:

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