{"id":353588,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/workers-compensation\/the-federal-employment-compensation-act.html"},"modified":"2025-08-17T09:43:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T14:43:28","slug":"the-federal-employment-compensation-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/workers-compensation\/the-federal-employment-compensation-act.html","title":{"rendered":"The Federal Employment Compensation Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Federal Employment Compensation Act<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) is a special type of workers’ compensation law that was enacted to ensure the well-being of federal workers. It’s intended to cover their medical expenses, replace lost wages, and offer death benefits to dependents in the case of a work-related fatality.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If a mail carrier slips\u00a0on a patch of ice and is injured\u00a0while delivering mail,\u00a0FECA is there to help cover\u00a0medical treatment costs\u00a0and any wages lost while\u00a0recovering. The\u00a0Department of Labor<\/a>\u00a0(DOL) provides this support through FECA.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn the answers to frequently asked questions\u00a0about how the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act protections apply to federal employees.<\/p>\n

Navigating workers’ compensation benefits can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a\u00a0workers’ comp attorney<\/a>\u00a0can provide legal advice specific to your claim for compensation. A lawyer can guide you through the FECA claims process and help gather the necessary evidence to support your case. They can also advocate on your behalf if your claim is denied or delayed.<\/p>\n

What is the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act?<\/h2>\n

If you are a federal employee, you are likely covered under the\u00a0Federal Employees’ Compensation Act<\/a>\u00a0(FECA). FECA allows for the\u00a0recovery of benefits<\/a>\u00a0when a federal employee is either disabled or killed as a result of an injury or disease sustained while performing their\u00a0work or duties<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FECA is available to federal employees regardless of the time on the job or the type of position held. Benefits include both medical expenses and compensation for wage loss. Vocational rehabilitation services are also offered to partially disabled employees. All federal benefits are managed through the\u00a0Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs<\/a>\u00a0(OWCP) and paid out of the Employees’ Compensation Fund.<\/p>\n

Who is covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)?<\/h2>\n

FECA covers all civilian employees of the United States government, except those paid from non-appropriated funds. There is also special legislation that provides coverage to:<\/p>\n