When Is Federal Workers' Compensation Available?
The federal government has established laws requiring businesses to protect themselves, and their employees from medical costs due to work-related injuries through workers’ compensation programs.
Workers’ compensation requirements are generally run by the state, and each state has their own rules and regulations for workers’ compensation claims and benefits. To learn more about the workers' compensation laws governing your state speak to an
employment attorney in your area.
In most cases, workers’ compensation claims will only pay for the medical expenses related to the injury without any further punitive damages for the employee.
In some circumstances however, certain jobs that carry a high risk of injury or disease through the normal course of the occupation, are protected by the federal government and include compensation that goes beyond medical bill reimbursement and a fixed amount of missed wages.
The federal government, through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, administers 4 major programs that provide:
- Wage replacement benefits
- Medical treatment
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Survivor benefits for family members
Each program covers specific occupations and circumstances and each is regulated separately concerning their eligibility requirements, compensation packages, and procedures.
The four federal programs are:
- Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation
- Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness
- Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation
- Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation