Suffering a work injury as a federal employee in Palm Beach Gardens can disrupt your entire life. Beyond the physical pain and emotional stress you are likely facing questions about your finances.
How will you support yourself and your family while you recover? The federal workers compensation system provides wage loss benefits through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs or OWCP.
Understanding how this compensation is calculated is essential for your peace of mind during recovery. This guide explains the calculation process for federal workers comp here in Florida and across the country.
Your Compensation Rate
When you are unable to work due to an approved OWCP claim you receive a specific percentage of your regular pay. There are two primary rates used for calculating this compensation.
The rate depends on whether you have eligible dependents. This ensures that your basic income needs are addressed while you focus on healing.
If you do not have any dependents such as a spouse or minor children your compensation rate is 66 and two thirds percent of your pay rate. This fraction represents two thirds of the wages OWCP determines you earned before your injury.
If you do have one or more eligible dependents your compensation rate increases. In this case you receive 75% of your pay rate. Dependents typically include a spouse, unmarried children under 18 or children incapable of self support.
What “Pay Rate” Does OWCP Use for the Calculation?
The percentage is applied to what OWCP calls your “pay rate”. Determining this pay rate is a crucial step in the calculation.
It is generally based on your average wages at the time your injury occurred. This includes your regular salary and often includes extras like night differential or Sunday premium pay.
However regular overtime pay is usually not included in this calculation. Your agency reports this pay rate information to OWCP often using specific OWCP forms.
Ensuring this information is accurate is very important for receiving the correct compensation amount. It reflects the earnings capacity you lost because of your work injury in Palm Beach Gardens.
What if I Can Still Work Part-Time? (Partial Disability)
Sometimes a work injury doesn’t stop you from working entirely but limits the hours or type of work you can do. In these situations OWCP calculates compensation based on partial disability.
This addresses the difference between what you earned before and what you can earn now. The calculation focuses on your “loss of wage earning capacity”.
OWCP compares your established pre-injury pay rate to what you are capable of earning in your current limited condition. Compensation is then paid at your applicable rate 66 or 75 percent of that difference.
This helps bridge the financial gap caused by your reduced ability to work.
Why Your DOL Doctor is Crucial
Your authorized DOL Doctor plays a critical role that goes far beyond medical treatment. Their medical reports are the primary evidence OWCP uses to determine your disability status.
Your doctor must clearly state whether you are totally disabled or partially disabled. They also define your specific physical limitations or work restrictions.
This medical documentation directly impacts how your federal workers compensation is calculated especially in partial disability cases.
A clear and detailed report from an experienced DOL Doctor is essential for ensuring your compensation accurately reflects your condition. Their guidance also directs necessary recovery steps like physical therapy paving the way back to improved health and function.
Have Questions?