Legal Definitions - FECA

The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is a United States federal law that provides workers' compensation benefits to civilian employees of the U.S. government who suffer work-related injuries or occupational diseases. It ensures that federal employees receive medical care, wage loss compensation, and vocational rehabilitation services if they are injured or become ill as a direct result of their employment.

Here are some examples of how FECA applies:

• Example 1: Acute Workplace Injury
  A U.S. Postal Service mail carrier is on their designated route, delivering mail, when they slip on an unexpected patch of ice on a public sidewalk. The fall results in a broken ankle, requiring immediate medical attention and time off work for recovery.
  How FECA applies: Because the injury occurred while the mail carrier was performing their official duties as a federal employee, they would be eligible for benefits under FECA. This would cover their medical expenses, including hospital visits and physical therapy, and provide compensation for the wages lost during their recovery period.

• Example 2: Occupational Disease
  A scientist working for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in a research laboratory develops a rare respiratory illness after several years of consistent exposure to specific airborne chemicals used in their experiments. Medical professionals confirm a direct causal link between the chemical exposure and the scientist's condition.
  How FECA applies: FECA would cover the medical treatment for the scientist's occupational disease, as it arose directly from their federal employment and the conditions of their workplace. It would also provide compensation for any lost wages if the illness prevents them from working or requires a reduction in their work hours.

• Example 3: Repetitive Strain Injury
  An administrative assistant at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spends the majority of their workday performing extensive data entry and typing. Over several years, they develop severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, which is diagnosed by a physician as a direct result of the repetitive motions required by their job.
  How FECA applies: This repetitive strain injury, directly attributable to the demands of their federal position, would qualify the administrative assistant for benefits under FECA. This would include coverage for medical treatments, such as surgery and physical therapy, and compensation for any time they need to take off work due to the condition.